Earlier this week, I wrote about how I felt tomorrow’s essential Clash of the Titans between No. 3 West Virginia and No. 5 was important for the Big East Conference. I argued and still hold that the conference must show that it has improved and transformed itself into a better conference by a strong game between its top two teams.
Today, I want to look objectively at West Virginia University and how it should view this game against Louisville tomorrow. It’s easy to suggest that this game is the biggest in Louisville’s history. It’s not as easy to suggest that for WVU, which is coming off a program-defining win against Georgia in last season’s Sugar Bowl. However, I feel that this game is just that, the single most important game in West Virginia University history.
I’ll give you 5 reasons, in no particular order.
1) National Championship Considerations: Without a doubt the winner of this game has a good chance of getting into the BCS national championship against, most likely, the winner of Michigan-Ohio State. For West Virginia, it would be the first time since the 1988-89 season it has a legitimate chance at the national title. That year, behind Major Harris, West Virginia lost to Notre Dame in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl. One could argue the 1993-94 team had a shot at the title had they defeated Florida in the Sugar Bowl, but it would have been a split title. When Rich Rodriguez came to West Virginia he promissed the team would be in contention for national titles. A win against Louisville and Rodriguez is looking like a smart man.
2) Rich Rodriguez’s Future at West Virginia: Much of the game’s hype this week has involved whether or not Rodriguez will remain at WVU, where he played in the early 1980s, or bolt for another school, namely UNC. A win against Louisville and it’s hard to see Rodriguez leave. It would also give him more leverage with the Athletic Department which has been dragging its feet on improvements to Mountaineer Field, namely painting the walls, retiring more numbers, and showcase the Mountaineers’ bowl apperances in the stadium to help recruiting. If Rodriguez was to leave, which I don’t believe he will, it would be because of the athletics department. Rodriguez has done more in his short time at West Virginia than any coach in West Virginia history, including legendary coach Don Nehlen. Where Nehlen was consistent to have strong years every four years, Rodriguez has turned a string of four consecutive bowl games and will send West Virginia bowling against this year. That’s saying a lot at West Virginia.
3) Steve Slaton for Heisman: With Adrian Petterson out for the remainder of the season, Steve Slaton has a national stage to show why he should be a candidate for the Heisman Trophy this season, as a sophomore. Slaton has executed well in these games in his season. It was against Louisville last year where Slaton dominated in the fourth quarter and overtime periods showing the nation his abilities as a runner to lead the Mountaineers to victory. Earlier this season against a Maryland team that refused to sign him to play, Slaton rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns … in the first quarter. Slaton needs a big game against Louisville if he wants to remain a Heisman candidate and be invited to New York.
4) No Mountaineer Team Has Finished the Season Perfect: Twice in West Virginia history has a team finished with a perfect regular season of 11-0. Never in Mountaineer history have those team gone on to win their bowl games and complete the perfect season. West Virginia has won 14 straight games, the most in school history. This is a team that could run the table, which would have huge implications for recruiting. It is difficult to recruit top-level programs to come to West Virginia when you could easily go to warmer climates like Texas, USC, Miami, Florida, Florida State, etc. West Virginia keeps winning, and the recruits may start buying those winter coats.
5) Big East Domination: Every conference has that one team where each year you know to win the conference championship you have to overcome. That dominant force, if you will. In the ACC, in year’s past, it’s been Florida State. In the SEC, Florida. The Big 12, Texas. The Big 10, Ohio State and Michigan. The PAC-10, USC. In the new Big East, so far it’s been West Virginia. If the Mountaineers want the title to continue to run through Morgantown, then they must beat Louisville and do so soundly. A win by Louisville and it becomes that perceived dominant force in the conference.
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