Syracuse @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 10, 2009 ) West Virginia 34, Syracuse 13

West Virginia aims to continue its recent dominance against Syracuse, when the 19th-ranked Mountaineers play host to the Orange at noon Saturday.

It’s homecoming week for West Virginia (5-1, 1-0 Big East), which will be looking to remain unbeaten in the Big East. The Mountaineers are gunning for their second consecutive conference win, following a 20-6 victory against nemesis South Florida last week.

West Virginia has won the last eight meetings against Syracuse (4-2,1-1) in their annual battle for the Schwartzwalder Trophy. It’s been 10 years since Syracuse last won at Mountaineer Field.

Syracuse sustained its first conference loss last week when Pitt crushed the Orange 45-14. It could have another difficult time getting its offense untracked against WVU. The Mountaineers are ranked No. 1 in the Big East in five defensive categories, including scoring defense (12.3 points a game, No. 3 in the nation).

West Virginia expects middle linebacker Pat Lazear, who has been recovering from a knee bruise, to be ready to return full-time this week, another boost for an already stout defensive unit.

Syracuse’s biggest threat on offense is running back Delone Carter, who is averaging 93.6 yards rushing a game. Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib is fourth in the Big East in total offense (214.1 ypg).

West Virginia running back Noel Devine has been nursing a bruised toe, but he is expected to play Saturday. Devine, the nation’s No. 1 active career rushing leader with 3,885 yards, has seen limited carries in the Mountaineers’ last three games because of the nagging injury that affects his ability to cut quickly.
Devine was limited to 29 yards on 13 carries last week against USF, but the WVU trainer has been providing treatments for Devine and has fit the senior with a padded shoe.

With Devine ailing, the Mountaineers will rely more heavily on improving quarterback Geno Smith. In his first full season starting, Smith, a sophomore, already has thrown 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Tavon Sanders and Jock Sanders are Smith's favorite two targets.