Bold Predictions Follow-Up: Texas Tech

The normally crack HailWV.com staff that has been on point all season, whiffed hard on Saturday’s game. The whole staff predicted that the Mountaineers would not overlook the Red Raiders and would come out strong in a perceived trap game. Ultimately, the 2012 Mountaineers showed flashes of the 2011 squad that played down to their competition. After such an embarrassing loss, the Mountaineers have a lot of work to do to stay in the Big XII title race.

The HailWV.com staff needs to polish up their crystal balls, because on the whole, we blew our picks.

Ken Durbin’s Prediction: I’m looking for Buie to carry the ball 20 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Also look for Dustin Garrison to get an increased work load this week. I like Garrison to carry 8 times for 25 yards and haul in 2 catches for 15 yards. Nothing major, but an uptick in production and a step closer to regaining his freshman form.

The rushing attack was not nearly as potent against the Texas Tech defense as they were against the Longhorns. I will admit, I was completely wrong about the Red Raiders defense. I thought that their weak schedule made the defense appear to be a top unit and that the Sooners exposed that fact. Boy was I wrong.

Buie and Garrison put in a solid effort. Had the Mountaineers had been in the game, the rushing attack would not have been abandoned. As it was, Buie still played well, toting the rock 21 times for 71 yards. That means I whiffed by 32 yards and a touchdown on that part of my prediction. I was pretty much spot on with my Garrison prediction. He carried the ball 9 times for 42 yards and a touchdown. If their is one silver lining to this game, it is that Garrison is regaining his form from last season. With Alston out, the WVU rushing attack is desperate for another option.

Overall score, I predicted WVU to pull away and not to get blasted. I have to admit, I’m embarrassed to have missed my prediction so badly. I’m probably not as embarrassed as the team was yesterday.

Oct 13, 2012; Lubbock, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Andrew Buie (13) runs with the ball as Texas Tech Red Raiders safety Cody Davis (16) defends in the second half at Jones AT

Brandon Miller’s Prediction: J.D. Woods will have a big game and finish up with 8 receptions for 120 yards and 2 TDs.

Woods got a lot of targets and finished up with 7 catches for 79 yards. He could have easily matched my predicted stats if not for a few dropped passes and poorly thrown balls.

If you go back and reread the first paragraph of my prediction, I was dead on about the game (the “it’s a trap game and a game we typically struggle in” part). Unfortunately, I dismissed it and thought we had changed. But we haven’t.

The defense looked worse. The offense was predictable and unable to execute. We took major steps back in every aspect of the game. There are so many question marks heading into the next game. Suddenly, instead of wondering weather we’ll play for the national title, asking whether we can win 3 of our last 5 is a serious question. All I know is we have to get better on both sides of the ball, fast.

Alan Searles’ Prediction: Tech will try to make us run similar to UT based on their defensive scheme, but they don’t have a defensive line consisting of freaks like Jeffcoat, so expect Geno to throw for over 350, Austin and Steddy to both bust over 150, AND Buie or perhaps Alston to combine for about 135 or so. 

I made a very bold prediction and bold statement. I was boldly wrong. Completely wrong.

Patrick Pishko’s Prediction: Rigg: 1 sack; 8 tackles; 2 TFL. Francis: 2 sacks; 6 tackles; 1 QBH.

What a weekend in sports it wasn’t. All along, I have maintained the belief that no team in the Big 12 will go undefeated this year; sad to say, my prediciton is coming to fruition. I anticipated a tough game for WVU, on the road…experienced head coach…hostile environment, but I did not foresee a repeat of the Syracuse game from last year. It is one thing to lose, but to lose in such a manner is upsetting. I predicted that Doug Rigg would register 1 sack, 8 total tackles and 2 tackles for loss. I also felt as though Josh Francis would rack up 2 sacks, 6 total tackles, and 1 QB hurry. Rigg was credited with 1 tackle and Francis made 2; these stats are indicative to the kind of game WVU experienced on Saturday.

Hopefully there is something to be gained from this slice of humble pie. In my mind, this loss either makes or breaks the ‘Eers. They have the chance to accept it and learn from it, or the obvious: let it snowball. Hopefully the outcome will be the former of the two. Now on to the Wild Cats!!!