Like most of those who’ll be rushing their kitchen like a buffet come Thursday, the Mountaineers offensive line will look to continue pushing their opponent around like an older brother snagging the last biscuit at dinner.
West Virginia has the 45th-best rushing attack in the country (out of 128 teams). Tyler Orlosky centers an experienced unit up front, with fellow seniors Adam Pankey and Tony Matteo being his left tackle and guard. Junior Kyle Bosch and redshirt freshman Colten McKivitz flank his right side as the guard and tackle. This group has opened up holes for every runner that’s stepped foot in Holgorsen’s backfield this season, totaling over 2,000 rushing yards.
Both running backs Justin Crawford and Rushel Shell have rushed for over 500 yards in 2016. While Crawford has more yards (930 to Shell’s 505), Shell has scored one more touchdown than Crawford’s four. Against Oklahoma Crawford piled up 331 yards, but fumbled twice inside the redzone. Even quarterback Skyler Howard and true freshman running back Kennedy McKoy have been in on the action, combining for 790 yards and ten scores on the ground. Holgorsen has a history of being a pass-heavy team, but with an offensive line that can eat up defenders like this year’s group, it’d just be wrong to not run the ball.