Let's play. We have been waiting nine months for today. 

 

The fifth edition of a Dana Holgorsen-led Mountaineer football team takes the field tonight at 7:30 pm versus Georgia Southern. 

Optimism abounds as West Virginia starts the season. That's nothing new. We tend to be optimistic in the weeks and months leading up to the first game. This year is no different. 

 

Now we begin to find out if that optimism is warranted. Starting tonight we will actually get to see if this team has improved as much as the coaches tell us it has.  

 

One immediate change from the 2014 season opener? No Alabama. That in and of itself is a good reason for optimism. No disrespect to Georgia Southern, but this is a game WVU should win. You couldn't say that last year heading into the first game against Alabama.

 

Last year at this time most people were hoping West Virginia could stay with the Tide. And they did. Remember the optimism coming off that LOSS. I received more tweets and more calls to our postgame radio show talking about how West Virginia played Alabama close than I did complaining about starting the season 0-1. Most people left that game feeling good about West Virginia's chances for a successful 2014 season. 

 

This year is different. A close game will result in people questioning this team even if it wakes up Sunday morning with a 1-0 record. Georgia Southern can pose some problems for sure, but a loss tonight would be a devastating blow to the Mountaineers season just as it is beginning. 

 

What To Watch

 

I'll be keeping an eye on the quarterback and receivers for West Virginia. They will be a key not only tonight, but all season. 

People close to the program have said publicly and privately that these young receivers are as talented as any to wear the gold and blue. The question doesn't seem to be if, but when for this talented group of guys. 

 

History says it takes at least a season for first year receivers to really have an impact. Best guess: we'll see flashes of potential from multiple guys, but not the consistent production you saw last year from Kevin White and Mario Alford. 

 

Keep in mind folks, as good as Tavon Austin ended up being, he only had 15 catches as a freshman. I realize it was a different system back then (not as many passing attempts per game), but expecting a true freshman to come out and catch 50 balls is unrealistic.

In fact, a quick scan of the record books tells you only one freshman, Daikiel Shorts in 2013, has even caught more than 40 passes in year one. Only four have caught more than 20. 

 

Speaking of Daikiel Shorts, he is a player to keep a close eye on this year. After a solid freshman year, his production fell last year. Shorts had 45 receptions as a freshman, but only 24 last year. Of course, part of the reason for the drop in number of catches could be attributed to the explosion by Kevin White. White hauled in 109 passes and Mario Alford gobbled up 65 during the 2014 season.

 

If West Virginia's offense is going to produce at a level similar to last year, when it finished ninth in the country in passing offense, Shorts will have to play a big role. He brings experience and size to a group that is unproven as a whole. He needs to be a go-to-guy early and often. 

 

In talking with the Georgia Southern folks, they have some apprehension about facing a team that can throw it really well. As you would expect from a team that faces a unique style every day in practice (Georgia Southern is a mostly run, rarely pass team), the Eagles don't get many reps against an up-tempo, spread passing team. 

 

So interestingly, both teams come in with the same question. Georgia Southern is wondering if they can stop the pass. West Virginia is wondering if they can complete the pass. 

 

Whichever team answers that question best will win the game. 

 

Football is back. Enjoy the game. Leave a comment or send me a tweet @bradhowe07 and let me know what you will be watching when West Virginia takes the field Saturday night.