Did you like what you saw Saturday from the West Virginia football team? Did you hate it?
Well, rid yourselves of those thoughts, because it doesn't mean much.
The Mountaineers may have shut out Coastal Carolina 31-0 in the 2010 season opener, but they did so in a very bland fashion.
There weren't, as head coach Bill Stewart would say, "bells and whistles." It was basic football that won the game and was all that was needed to do so.
If you expect the Mountaineers to play like that Friday night in Huntington, W.Va., against in-state rival Marshall, you'll be in for a surprise.
Look back at WVU's season openers over the last three seasons. It's not a good sign of what's to come.
Last year against Liberty, then-quarterback Jarrett Brown showed he could be efficient by going 19 of 26 (73 percent completion) with no interceptions. He went on to throw almost as many interceptions (nine) as he did touchdowns (11).
The year before, the Mountaineers looked like the team that might finally learn to pass with the best of them. Then-starting quarterback Pat White threw five touchdowns in a 48-21 blowout. However, White threw just under one-fourth of his touchdown passes in that game for the season.
This year's season opener was by far the best under
Stewart. West Virginia was crisp on defense and consistent on offense. For a season opener, it was a solid performance. No, it wasn't 72-0 like Oregon's win over New Mexico, but it was a win.
To be honest, the Mountaineers could've beaten Coastal Carolina by 72 if they wanted. But, WVU kept it about as basic as possible. If you go back and look, rarely did the Mountaineers do anything out of the ordinary. If Smith threw a pass, it was a short crossing route.
The only play worth mentioning as some sort of "unconventional" would be the reverse to receiver Tavon Austin.
Otherwise, West Virginia ran right, ran left, ran right, ran left and threw it short occasionally. And it was enough to put up 31 points and solidify a 1-0 record.
On defense, it was much of the same. The Mountaineers knew their speed would give the Chanticleers trouble. And boy did it.
Coastal Carolina's offensive line was overwhelmed by WVU's defensive speed. It's a lot easier to be bland when an opponent is overwhelmed.
It was a scrimmage for WVU. The coaches won't say that, but it sure looked like it. It was a nice time to challenge the right side of the offensive line. It was also a nice time to get some true freshmen and younger players into the game, too, particularly at wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back.
This Friday, everything changes.
It goes from scrimmage to the real deal. Marshall might not be Ohio State, or even Maryland, who WVU will face in two weeks, but the Thundering Herd is a step up in competition from the Chanticleers.
Friday's game will truly test how West Virginia will play in 2010. It will be a crazy atmosphere with familiar coaches on the sideline.
The Mountaineers will have to use their speed and the coaches' creativity to win on the road – a place Stewart and staff have struggled in the past.
WVU has struggled in the past against Marshall. Three years ago in Huntington, W.Va., the Mountaineers went into halftime down four. Last year, WVU was down four again heading into the half.
Marshall has the talent to challenge West Virginia. The Mountaineers are superior in almost every aspect, but for some reason, the Thundering Herd have found a way to get to WVU for a half.
This year, WVU doesn't need to mess around. It's business time in Huntington, W.Va.
It will be the first chance in 2010 to prove WVU is ready to "leave no doubt."
A 20-point win in front of a hostile crowd on national TV might not signal the return of WVU's program to the national spotlight, but it might give fans an idea of what is expected from the Mountaineers this season.