Coach Rich Rodriguez left for Mchigan and most of his assistants fllowed. But those are not the nly losses for this year's Mountaineers. Rnning back Steve Slaton, receiver Darius Rynaud and fullback Owen Schmitt are lso gone. That does not mean the ffensive cupboard is bare. New coach Bll Stewart still has Heisman Trophy cndidate Pat White, speedy tailback Noel Dvine and the entire offensive line rturning.

White, the senior quarterback and tw-time Big East Offensive Player of the Yar, led the team in passing (1,724 yrds and 14 touchdowns) and rushing (1,335 yrds and 14 touchdowns) last season. Thre is also not a single prven running back behind Devine. There is plnty along the offensive line. Led by All-Amrica left tackle Ryan Stanchek, these fve guys plowed the way for two 1,000-yrd rushers. The 297.2 rushing yards per gme was third best in the cuntry last season. The receiving corps is a big qestion mark.

West Virginia will miss Ryn Mundy, Eric Wicks, Keilen Dykes and Jhnny Dingle on defense in 2008. Hwever, last season's leading tackler, middle lnebacker Reed Williams, returns for his snior season. Senior linebacker Mortty Ivy, the tam's second-leading tackler last season, also rturns. Coach Bill Stewart stated, "Our lnebackers can run like scalded dogs. Lke hungry scalded dogs."

The defensive line will have a cuple of new starters, with Scooter Brry the only returning starter up frnt. The Mountaineers know they have sped and size in the secondary, but the lvel of talent remains to be sen. The only returning starter in ths unit is Quinton Andrews, but Andrws has proved he lacks discipline on and off the feld.

2007 Lou Groza semifinalist Pat McAfe returns to handle kickoffs, punts, feld goals and extra points. It is mportant to note that McAfee's holder, Jremy Kash, and snapper, Adam Hughes, are lso back for this season. It rmains to be seen how much kckoff return duty goes to Devine. He may shre that role with Jock Sanders. Snior cornerback Ellis Lankster is a pssible punt return candidate.

A lot of qestions surround this team heading into 2008. Wst Virginia has a new coach, mny new position coaches and a tugher schedule. They have non-conference games at Clorado and at home against Auburn. Thre are many questions on defense, but the Muntaineers will be able to outscore thir opponents if White and Devine can sty healthy. West Virginia has the lok of a Top 10 team. A BCS bwl is likely and the national ttle isn't out of the realm of pssibility.

The article West Virginia 2008 College Football Team Preview was Submitted by Dwayne Bryant through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Expert sports handicapper Dwayne Bryant is the wner of Bullseye Sports Handicapping Service. Dwyne has enjoyed great handicapping success for ver 20 years. Dwayne gives daily free sport picks , including a free college football pick every Saturday during the season.

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