In recent years West Virginia University has been known for its outstanding backfields.  Amos Zereoue and Quincy Wilson have made a name for WVU running backs as well as Marc Bulger and Rasheed Marshall at quarterback.  But has there ever been a better backfield at WVU, or even in college football than the one that will be taking the field at Milan Puskar Stadium this fall?

WVU recently signed 5-star recruit Noel Devine from North Fort Myers, Florida.  A 5-star recruit for West Virginia?  It is unheard of in the hills of Morgantown. But this upcoming season is shaping out as one of the best years for WVU football ever.  “DUB-V” may not be up to the recruiting caliber of USC or Florida but they have come a long way; starting this season with a number of three to five star recruits. 

Devine joins a number of big time players already shredding the field in Morgantown.

Steve Slaton is in most people’s minds the next Barry Sanders.  He is small in stature but big on moves and speed.  He has ripped teams up for yards despite being injured for the latter part of the 05’ season and the majority of the 06’ season.

Injuring his wrist had WVU fans doubting the success of the Mountaineers.  However, Slaton came on strong throughout the season and regardless of his injuries he finished fourth in the Heisman voting behind Troy Smith, Brady Quinn and Darren McFadden; as a sophomore no less.

Chances are that Slaton will enter the NFL draft following this season no matter what the outcome is for the Mountaineers.  Yet, this season he may be a part of the best backfield ever to play in the Big East, or college football for that matter. 

We have all heard about the great backfields of old.  Well throw those notions out my friends because there are new bosses in town. 

Joining Steve Slaton and all-Big East performer Pat White in the backfield is Noel Devine.  Devine is described as the next Reggie Bush; the unbelievable runner who can dodge bullets and much less; tackles. 

Growing up in Florida where WVU has recently had a monopoly on recruits, Devine brings a number of assets to a WVU football team that has had a number of great running backs in the past decade.  He has speed, power and agility.

Sound familiar?

Devine, as a freshman, will be playing with two of the top players in college football in Steve Slaton and Pat White. Last season Slaton and White were able to slingshot WVU to a Gator Bowl berth against Georgia Tech in which the Mountaineers won 38-35; the same score against which they beat a fellow Georgia team in the Sugar Bowl a year earlier.  But forget those days when WVU was happy with winning a BCS bowl.  Forget the days when WVU was happy with winning the conference.  It is Sear’s Trophy time.

With White and Slaton at the helm, Devine can only help the situation.  Slaton has had trouble with injuries the past two seasons and a reliable back-up has yet to emerge.  Devine may be the key to that problem.

Although he may be a “tad-bit” slower than Slaton, Devine brings the same game.  Not only is he fast but he brings the pain with his powerful style of running.  Although Slaton may be the Heisman candidate, Devine brings the power and speed that most schools can only dream about.

When searching for a dynamic backfield, only one can wonder if White, Slaton, Devine and bruising blocker Owen Shmitt can put on a better show than anyone in college football.  Ever!