And so it begins. The West Virginia football team has gathered in Morgantown and is set to begin practice this weekend.

 

Over the next few weeks we will begin to learn a little more about the players that make up the 2015 Mountaineers.

 

Up until now, we've been guessing. Projecting. We THINK West Virginia will have an outstanding defense. We THINK West Virginia has major question marks at receiver, specifically on the outside. We THINK West Virginia has some questions at quarterback.

 

During August we will begin to hear how these guys are performing on an actual football field. The off season weight room work is done. Who produced? Who got stronger? Who got faster? Who steps up when the 'red light' comes on and practices become 'go time."

 

Oh sure, we'll still have questions about this team for a while. Camp will begin to give us a picture. But that picture is still blurry until we get to the real games.

 

However, we know have actual football to talk about. So let's get started.

 

As camp begins here are the two biggest questions on the offensive side of the ball. We'll look at the defense next week.

 

1. Will someone emerge as a play-making receiver?

 

When you lose 81% of your receiving touchdown production, as WVU did with the departures of Kevin White and Mario Alford, you have concerns.

 

Losing your two best receivers to the NFL is the bad news. The good news? You recognize some names among the returning guys.

 

The leading returning pass catcher is Jordan Thompson. Thompson had 49 receptions last year. He knows the system. He has experience.

 

Dakiel Shorts had 24 catches last year and 45 as a freshman in 2013.

 

Wendell Smallwood added 31 catches last year and has been described by Holgorsen this off season as "the most versatile" player he has ever coached.

 

NOTE: given the fact that Tavon Austin, a receiver, currently holds the West Virginia single game RUSHING record, I would dispute that description.

There is no doubt though that this coaching staff loves Smallwood. He has been the talk of the off season for two straight years now.

 

Shelton Gibson has been talked about even before he arrived on campus. Holgorsen recently described him as "the fastest" receiver he has ever coached. Will that speed translate into game changing big plays like we saw from Mario Alford the past two seasons?

 

This year may not produce one guy with 100 or more catches as we have seen in past years under Holgorsen. But, can three or four guys step up and have 70 catches each?

 

My sense is the coaching staff is hoping for a production-by-committee type approach. Who will those three or four guys be? Will it be more than four? If the receivers struggle look out, it may be a long season. But, if West Virginia finds a handful of guys that can be dependable, consistent pass catchers, this team has a chance to win some games and surprise teams in the Big 12. 

 

2. What kind of production will you get from Skyler Howard?

 

I know we can all become too obsessed with the quarterback. Guilty as charged. There's a reason for that though. Never mind the trend across the country or in the NFL showing great quarterback play equals wins, just look back at the most successful West Virginia teams. They've almost always had great quarterback play.

 

 

For West Virginia to be the dark house in the Big 12 some are predicting, outstanding quarterback play is a must. It helps that Howard has two starts under his belt and saw action in four games last year. I wouldn't classify him as experienced, but he's not walking out in front of 60.000 fans for the first time either.

 

At times last year, Howard showed he could be a successful Big 12 quarterback. On the road at Iowa State in his first career start, Howard goes for 285 yards passing and three touchdowns in a 37-24 win.

 

Before you say so what it's just Iowa State, who went winless in league play last year, let's remember a mere two seasons ago Iowa State strolled into Morgantown and beat West Virginia. A win on the road in your first start is a positive, regardless of opponent.

 

Howard finished the season with eight touchdown passes and no interceptions. For a team that finished last season as one of the worst in America in turnover margin (only five teams were worse), don't discount how important that stat is.

 

Last year's West Virginia offense finished 12th in the country in total offense with 499.8 yards per game and 36th overall in scoring offense at 33.5 points per game. In order to match those numbers this year, Howard will need to continue to be effective minimizing turnovers and improve his accuracy from last year's 51%.

 

West Virginia was in a similar position offensively in 2013. The team had just lost Geno Smith, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey to the NFL. Kevin White and Mario Alford were unknowns who ended up not having productive seasons in 2013. The quarterback position was a weak spot all season. You remember the results. 3-9 including losses to lowly Kansas and Iowa State.

 

This year may be different. While you don't have anyone that has produced like an all-conference performer yet, you do have guys that have some experience. The key to the season will be how fast they can move from supporting cast to headliners.

 

Do you think the 2015 version of the Mountaineers will produce more or less offense than last year's team? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet: @bradhowe07.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of Wendell Smallwood, middle picture of Jordan Thompson and bottom photo of Skyler Howard from last year's Liberty Bowl by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.