3. WEST VIRGINIA

2005 record: 11-1, 7-9 (1st in Big East)
2005 bowl: Beat Georgia 38-35 in Sugar
2005 final AP/coaches' ranking: 5/6
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (39-22, 5 years)
Offensive coordinator: Calvin Macgee (3rd year)
Defensive coordinator: Jeff Casteel (5th year)
Offensive scheme: Spread
Defensive scheme: 3-3 stack
Returning offensive starters: 7
Returning defensive starters: 5
Location: Morgantown, W.Va.
Stadium: Mountaineer Field (artificial, 60,000)
2006 schedule: [view]
2005 statistics: [view]

Offense: West Virginia has plenty of offensive imagination, but its primary mission is downright old-fashioned. The Mountaineers like to run. Last season, the rushing game averaged 272.4 yards per game, which was fourth nationally and first in the Big East. Of course, when you have talented sophomores such as running back Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, that’s called playing to your obvious strength. Slaton rushed for 1,128 yards and 10 touchdowns (scoring six times against Louisville). White, a left-hander whose running ability continually confounded opposing defenses, wasn’t “discovered” until the Louisville game, when injuries put White in the full-time lineup and the platoon system was abandoned. A trio of experienced receivers will return, led by senior Brandon Myles and junior Darius Reynaud. The Mountaineers must replace two tackles, but optimism still abounds on the offensive line with All-American center Dan Mozes, plus guards Ryan Stanchek and Jeremy Sheffey.

Rob Carr / AP West Virginia running back Steve Slaton, now a sophomore, ran all over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, solidifying the Mountaineers as one of the teams to beat entering this season.

Defense: The Mountaineers utilize an unusual 3-3-5 formation that brings a mix of up-front pressure and excellent coverage. They have a pair of senior All-Big East linebackers in Kevin McLee and Jay Henry. The best lineman is junior tackle Keilen Dykes. Major work is needed in the secondary. Senior strong safety Eric Wicks is the only returning starter. Redshirt freshman free safety Quinton Andrews has the look of a future star.

Specialists: Place-kicker Pat McAfee returns after making 11 of his 18 field-goal attempts. Scott Kozlowski will break in as the new punter. There are few worries in the return game with the presence of Vaughn Rivers, a smallish guy who can scoot.

Game of the year Sept. 4 vs. Oregon State at Arlington, Texas The season opener, held at cavernous Cowboys Stadium, will be a major event for TCU. It’s also an opportunity for the Horned Frogs to make a big splash against a respected opponent from the Pac-10. An eye-opening performance establishes TCU as a primary team to watch.

Coaching: Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez has made West Virginia football matter once again on a national level. His innovations are well-documented — coaches from all levels flock to Morgantown to learn about his version of the spread offense — and you’ll not find a better-prepared coaching staff.

RAY GLIER ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL Don't take the bait Weak schedule will key West Virginia's good record

Heisman Hopefuls: White and Slaton are among the nation’s most exciting offensive players. Everybody loves a winner (especially Heisman voters), so if the Mountaineers can run the table, West Virginia will be represented in New York — count on it. 

Overview: West Virginia was painted as the BCS weak link last season, and there was a season-long buzz that complained about the Big East retaining its bid to the big bowls. Then the Mountaineers toppled SEC champion Georgia at the Sugar Bowl. All the talk was silenced. Fact is, West Virginia has a quality program and an exciting product to sell. The Big East isn’t what it used to be — not without Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College, anyway, but it’s not fair to paint West Virginia as an unworthy contender. The Mountaineers could go 12-0 and stake their claim to a national championship.