With a few starters from the West Virginia Mountaineers going to the pros, many are questioning just how good the 2008 Fiesta Bowl champs will be next year. The Mountaineers took a big loss yesterday when Junior running back Steve Slaton Virginia after Rich Rodriguez left the Mountaineers to head for Michigan.West Virginia has already proven that they can overcome adversity after losing to a 4-7 Pittsburgh team, which cost them a shot at the national title; then losing their head coach, before finally knocking off what many believed was the number one team in the nation, the Oklahoma Sooners, in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. . Not only did they beat the Sooners, they beat them by 20 points in a very impressive and improbable victory. After a very emotional win in Arizona, the Mountaineers gave interim head coach Bill Stewart the head coaching job in Morgantown. Even though the Mountaineers have a new head coach and have lost many starters, I still believe they will again be in the National Title hunt all year during the 2008 season. With the Freshman Sensation RB Noel Devine returning for his sophomore season and Patrick White coming back for his senior season, many believe West Virginia will be able to continue their high powered offense that they have shown over the last few years. Noel Devine decided to stay in Morgantown after many rumors spiraled that he would be transferring to Florida State. He made his decision after stating that everything happens for a reason. He will be looking at having an even better Sophomore season and making a race for the Heisman trophy. Being in the hunt for the national championship will not be easy, but these Mountaineers have proven they can overcome just about anything. Be ready to see West Virginia in contention all year long as they will be out to prove that they are one of the best teams in the nation.
-Troy Wilkerson
