I had a dream last night. It wasn’t a good one.  I don’t know why I had this dream, but I hope it doesn’t come true.  WVU had to score a touchdown with less than a minute left to take the lead against WMU, and intercept a pass in their own end zone on a goal line stand to defeat the Broncos.  A win no less, but, a scary one.  Maybe I should have called that dream a nightmare, with a happy ending.

But that nightmare, hopefully, will not play out this weekend at Mountaineer Field.  Here is a comparison of the team’s units and grades for each.

OFFENSE

WVU:

The Mountaineers arguably have the best rushing attack in the nation.  The stats showed them just out of first a year ago, but another solid campaign on the ground could leave the Mounties in first a years end.  The passing game is used sparingly, but has been fairly solid since White’s freshman season.  When asked to drop back and let one fly, he is accurate and strong.  However, a receiver other than Darius Reynaud will have to step up in order for the passing game to flourish.  And the new O-Line must make a splash early.

Grade: A-

WMU:

The Broncos have turned the program around.  Projected starting quarterback Tim Hiller has a solid O-Line in front of him which should help against a Mountaineer defense that struggled a year ago.  The rushing game with Mark Bonds will be solid.  Bonds was a 1,000 yard rusher a year ago and there is no reason he should not eclipse that mark again.  The receiving corp is solid and should provide easy targets for Hiller or Peregrin. 

Grade: B

DEFENSE 

WVU:

Take a deep breath Mountaineer fans.  We must forget about last season and move on to the present.  The defense took a beating last season through the air, and the offense had to keep the team in games that were high scoring.  The secondary should be much improved with a year of experience, and two senior cornerbacks.  The D-Line was a bright light for the defense a year ago giving up nearly 80 yards a game on the ground.  If the secondary can step up and make some plays, the defense will be much improved.  The linebacking corp should be solid.  However, the defense has yet to show it can stop anyone with a pulse.

Grade: B+

WMU:

The Broncos led the nation in sacks and had the 6^th best defense in the country a year ago.  There is no reason that should change this season.  They have two experienced, and quick, cornerbacks and a defensive line that gives quarterbacks fits.  Safeties Delmas and Wilson provide a solid back line that should allow the D-Line to go after the quarterback without worrying about getting burned.

Grade: B+

SPECIAL TEAMS

WVU:

 Punter/Kicker Pat McAfee filled the punter spot nicely a year ago and was a solid place kicker.  He needs to improve his range from outside 40 yards, but he did nail one at Pitt in the rainy cold weather.  A sign of things to come?  McAfee has the potential to one of the best kickers in the nation, if he isn’t already and he did not miss an extra point last season.  With his leg, the new kickoff rule might not affect the Mountaineers as much as it does other teams.

Grade: A

WMU:

The punting game was horrendous a year ago.  Improvement is needed in this facet for the Broncos to have any shot at winning a MAC title this year.  Giving teams short fields proved to cost the Broncos in a few games last season.  Laney is a solid punter, but the special teams has to learn to cover more productively.  If it can do that, the special teams should be ok.  PK Mike Jones made one field goal last season of 22 yards.  However, senior status and four years in the program should help his confidence.

Grade: C+

West Virginia has the obvious edge in talent and experience.  However Western Michigan will not go down without a fight.  This may look like an easy home opener when you look at the schedule.  But WMU packs a punch, and West Virginia will have to be sharp early on to keep the Broncos from gaining any confidence and keeping the game close.