Before we move ahead and look at today's matchup between West Virginia and Youngstown State, let's take a quick look back at the Missouri game. 

 

Last week, I wrote that I would be watching the WVU offensive line against the heavily praised Missouri defensive line. Of all the things that went well for West Virginia last Saturday, this particular matchup may have been at the top of the list. 

 

WVU's offensive line held Missouri's all-SEC defensive end, Charles Harris, to two tackles and zero quarterback hurries. In fact, the entire Missouri team was held without a quarterback hurry. Zero quarterback HURRIES. Not sacks … hurries. 

 

A remarkable achievement against a defense that is so highly regarded. The effort is even more remarkable when you factor in the  injury to tackle, Yodny Cajuste.

 

Cajuste, the starting left tackle, is a player that many believe will be playing on Sundays. His matchup with Harris was one that was called the "matchup of the day" by one NFL observer I spoke with prior to the game. Cajuste went down in the first quarter with what turned out to be a season ending knee injury. 

 

Enter redshirt freshman, Colton McKivitz. All McKivitz did was render Harris completely ineffective and help West Virginia gain 241 yards on the ground. 

 

Now, fast forward to today. I won't suggest Youngstown State brings the same level of defensive talent as Missouri, but they do have some guys that jump out at you. Youngstown State has two defensive lineman that will force the West Virginia offensive line to bring its 'A game' again today. 

 

Derek Rivers is a first team preseason All-American who has piled up 12 sacks in the just 17 games. He became Youngstown State’s career sack leader in just 28 games. Keep your eye on number 11 today.

 

The other Penguin to watch is number nine, Avery Moss. Moss started his career at Nebraska, where Youngstown State head coach Bo Pelini spent seven years as head coach. 

 

Heading into last week's game it was difficult to predict what we would see. While nothing is guaranteed, today will surely be a win for WVU. (Don’t worry, I’m knocking on wood as I type this just so you superstitious people don’t think I jinxed the Mountaineers). 

 

West Virginia has never lost to an FCS opponent under Dana Holgorsen. I don’t see that changing today. 

 

So for me, I won't be thinking about the result as much as I will be watching how different units perform for WVU.

 

Can the receivers get deep on the Youngstown State defensive backs and deliver some of the big plays we saw so often last year? Can running back, Justin Crawford follow up his impressive 101 yard rushing debut with another great performance? Can West Virginia's defense turn in another solid performance? The Penguins ran for 413 yards last week. 

 

Skyler Howard is not injured, but he is hurt. To what extent? Only he knows. Howard is a tough kid and will surely play through any discomfort. What effect, if any, will the soreness have on his performance?

 

I'll be looking for answers to these questions and more as we move to week two of the college football season.

 

What’s your score prediction today? Send me a tweet @BradHowe07 and let me know. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.