Sep 1, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Martin Ward (29) is tackled by West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Isaiah Bruce (31) and safety Karl Joseph (top right) in the first half at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
The internet is abuzz today with the news that the EA Sports NCAA Football 2014 team rankings have been released. Multiple sources have been citing the report by Tradition Sports Online of the 124 team rankings supposedly released today at the E3 Conference.
Included in the rankings is the report that the West Virginia Mountaineers received a total team score of 84.
The Mountaineers, with their largely overhauled offensive line-up received a ranking of 83. It is no surprise given that the only returning starters on offense are OT Quinton Spain, OT Pat Eger, and RB Andrew Buie. In fact, given the high volume of turn-over and the lack of a clear-cut starter at quarterback, EA gave WVU a pretty favorable ranking.
The defense, which was the weak spot of the 2013 team, is expected by EA to be the stronger half of the West Virginia squad. Coach Patterson’s defensive group landed an 87 score in the video game. Cautious optimism out of the video game manufacturer given that the defense returns a young nucleus led by S Karl Joseph and LB Isaiah Bruce that promises to be much improved from 2013’s unit.
Comparatively, the Mountaineers are rated eighth amongst Big 12 teams:
- Texas Overall: 93, Off: 95, Def: 93
- Oklahoma Overall: 91, Off: 97, Def: 88
- Oklahoma State Overall: 91, Off: 93, Def: 92
- Baylor Overall: 90, Off: 90, Def: 88
- Kansas State Overall: 86, Off: 91, Def: 83
- Texas Tech Overall: 86, Off: 90, Def: 83
- TCU Overall: 84, Off: 86, Def: 85
- West Virginia Overall: 84, Off: 83, Def: 87
- Iowa State Overall: 81, Off: 81, Def: 83
- Kansas Overall: 81, Off: 84, Def: 78
EA gave two-time defending National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide the highest rating in the game with a overall score of 99. The worst team in the game is the Georgia State Panthers (WVU’s week 3 opponent) with a score of 60.
Teams also receiving scores of 84 like the Mountaineers are Arizona State, California, East Carolina, Houston, Kentucky, North Carolina State, Oregon State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, San Diego State, TCU, South Florida, and Virginia.