10 things that will happen in 2010

With the West Virginia football season quickly approaching, it's time to talk football.

Finally.

As anticipation grows for the Sept. 4 season opener against Coastal Carolina, so does my urges to guess, predict and make a fool out of myself.

So here's 10 things I expect will happen to WVU this year.

10. Freshman wide receiver Ivan McCartney will become a starter over fellow receiver J.D. Woods at the Mountaineers' second outside receiver spot by the middle of the season.

McCartney is one of the most natural receivers that has come to West Virginia since, say, Chris Henry. He deserves to be on the field, and it seems he will get his chance to do so.

9. Safety Terence Garvin will be a household name by the end of the year.

Garvin will be the lone new starter in the secondary beside some of the best athletes in the Big East Conference like Robert Sands and Brandon Hogan. Garvin fits the bill, as well. He has had a knack for making big hits in fall camp, and I expect that to continue.

8. The Big East will be more confusing than it has ever been – which should make it fun.

WVU will likely win a conference game it should lose (Pittsburgh) and lose a conference game it should win (Connecticut). That's just the way the conference is set up in 2010. I wouldn't be surprised if the winner has two conference losses and earns the championship through a tiebreaker.

7. The offensive line will be better, but it still won't be great. The right tackle spot, which is still not decided, will be a weak link on the WVU offense. But, outside of that position, the Mountaineers should have success running off the left side.

6. West Virginia fans will regain confidence in offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen when the Mountaineers lead the Big East in rushing offense. Despite a larger effort to pass the ball, the Mountaineers will find more success on the ground. In addition, WVU will score more than 30 points in at least eight games.

5. Junior college transfer defensive end Bruce Irvin will lead the Mountaineers in sacks. In addition, the WVU defense will have the most sacks in the Big East behind Irvin and defensive end Julian Miller. Both will end the season with 10-plus sacks.

4. West Virginia fans will forget all of the NCAA violations until about 1 a.m., on Oct. 30, when the Mountaineers lose their first game. Still, the Mountaineers will go undefeated at home for the second-straight year. Even though it won't be that hard to achieve, WVU head coach Bill Stewart will still applaud his team's effort in doing so.

3. WVU wide receiver Tavon Austin will receive all-conference honors after a sensational sophomore season. While he has already been tabbed as the Mountaineers' next starting running back, national media will begin to say Austin is the "next Noel Devine."

2. Running back Noel Devine will earn the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year award.

Looking back on the Gator Bowl, the one thing that stands out was the lack of carries for Devine. It seems to have stood out in the minds of the coaching staff, too.

If Devine stays healthy and proves to be able to carry the load, he will exceed his rushing total from last year. And, if the Mountaineers are winning, he might just be in the running for a Heisman Trophy. He will also improve his NFL Draft stock.

1. Quarterback Geno Smith will solidify himself as one of the Big East's best quarterbacks heading into his junior season.

There's no doubt Smith will go through some struggles in his first season as a full-time starter, but that's to be expected. Still, Smith is one of the best technically sound quarterbacks WVU has had in a long time. He will prove to be the best passing quarterback the Mountaineers have had since Rich Rodriguez took over in 2001.

Despite all that, fans will still call for freshman quarterback Barry Brunetti at some point this year.

A few months from now, I will look back on this list and laugh. Others will do the same. But, it's football season – I can't help it.