Bye week number two comes at a good time for a bartered West Virginia football that has lost its last three games. Neal Brown said it was a good chance for a “reset.”

 

It should come as no surprise that WVU has struggled this month. In consecutive weeks the Mountaineers faced three teams likely to finish in the top four in the league. The fourth team, Baylor, comes up on Halloween night to close this brutal October stretch. 

 

November provides a sliver of relief. It won’t be EASY for WVU, but it should be EASIER. West Virginia’s October opponents are 24-4 (entering games on 10/25). The November opponents are a combined 14-12.

 

While the schedule lets up some down the stretch, the injuries have not. The latest victim is talented linebacker Josh Chandler. Chandler will miss the next few weeks, according to Brown, but the injury didn't turn out to be as severe as originally thought. 

 

With the injuries mounting and the losses piling up, here's what I'm watching as the Mountaineers enter the stretch run for the 2019 season: 

 

1. After winning three of its first four games, can WVU put together a similar run to become bowl eligible?

2. Will the running game improve or is it a lost cause this year?

3. When will we see Bowling Green transfer quarterback Jarrett Doege?

 

Neal Brown has been emphatic that Austin Kendall is QB1. But Brown has also talked about having a plan to utilize the rule that allows players to play in up to four games and still take a redshirt year. 

 

Doege would seem to be a perfect candidate for that scenario. Brown has praised his work with the scout team as recently as two weeks ago. Doege was also part of the travel roster for the first time last week. My guess: we see him at some time here in the final month of the season. 

 

4. Has this team improved?

 

The strength of schedule in October prohibited us from getting a true read on this question. November’s opponents should allow us to get a sense for just how much this team has improved since the season began against James Madison.

 

Up next for the Mountaineers …one last Big 12 big boy to close October. Baylor enters the game on Halloween night undefeated at 7-0. The turnaround Matt Ruhle has orchestrated in Waco has been nothing short of amazing. 

 

A much-needed complete house cleaning following the mess that was Art Briles’ program, has seen Ruhle go from one win in year one to the current undefeated start just two years later. Part of the success for Baylor can be attributed to its ability to play any way you want. 

 

The Bears can be good offensively. Baylor ranks fourth in the Big 12 in offensive success rate. They just beat Oklahoma State in their last game by putting up 45 points. But they can lock you up and win a low scoring rock fight if needed. The Bears beat Iowa State earlier this season 23-21. 

 

If you haven’t watched Baylor since WVU dismantled them 58-14 last year in Morgantown you may be surprised at all of this praise being heaped on Baylor. It’s warranted. This is a different Baylor team.

 

And frankly, a different West Virginia team. 

 

NOTE: For more on the WVU - Baylor game, I invite you to listen in to our extensive gameday coverage on the Metronews Radio Network beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday. 

 

I will be joined by Hoppy Kercheval, Greg Hunter, Kyle Wiggs, Dave Weekley, Fred Persinger and former WVU defensive coordinator, Steve Dunlap. 

 

You can listen to our coverage on radio stations throughout the state or by streaming live at: WVMertronews.com 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo, by Dale Sparks, shows Josh Chandler (35) making tackle. Second photo shows Jarrett Doege, second from right, taking some snaps - both photos courtesy of WVU Sports Communications. Bottom photo of Neal Brown by Joe McNemar.