I know there’s supposed to be a belief that West Virginia can make the National Title game with Pat White wearing his helmet on backwards. I do think that it is an appropriate sentiment. They’re just that much better on paper than the Pittsburgh Panthers. They will riot in Morgantown as if unpopular wrestler John Cena won a big match-up.
However. In a year where the Top 5 is as fluid as Crystal Pepsi, there are reasons why I would not sleep on the Panthers. You have a team that has nothing left to play for. Pittsburgh isn’t going bowling. This is all they have. KO their rivals and they take them away from the BCS title game.
Also? West Virginia hasn’t been great in the situations where the expectations are on them. Sure, they did destroy UConn last week, but the onus was still on the Huskies. They were the team that needed to be onto the pedestal. But even way back when in the days and nights of Major Harris, the Moutaineers could never take the final step.
I know it would be a pinky, middle, and ring finger shocker if the Panthers do get the duke. But if they Hulk up and no sell what West Virginia fires across the bow, maybe they’ll get the Mountaineers worrying.
Nah.
