The West Virginia Mountaineers will make the trip to Charlotte on Saturday to do battle with No. 25 Virginiain a marquee non-conference match-up. If they manage to pull off a victory, it will be the first 3-0 start to the season for the Mountaineers in a decade.
But winning is always easier said than done, and that probably applies a bit more this week against a veteran Virginia team has flashed an explosive offensive and a disciplined defense early this season as they look to build upon double-digit wins and a second-place finish in the ACC last year.
So if the Mountaineers are going to earn that win, it's important that they're able to take the Cavaliers a bit off-guard and score some points on offense. Rich Rodriguez has already admitted some of his play-calling this season has been conseive the Cavaliers already won't have everything they're going to see on film. But there is a chance that a player that haven't seen at all could be Rodriguez's breakout star.
Prince Strachan likely to return for WVU football against Virginia?
The Mountaineers made several acquisitions in the transfer portal this offseason. One of the biggest X-factors among that group is wide receiver Prince Strachan, a towering 6-foot-5 outside receiver who had a wildly successful stint at Boise State but was injured early last season at USC.
He unfortunately suffered another injury during spring ball after transferring to the Mountaineers, and did not see any action against Coastal Carolina or UT-Martin to start the season. But Rodriguezindicated earlier this weekthat he could be trending toward a return against the Cavaliers.
“He’s got a chance for this one," Rodriguez said. "He’s been practicing a little bit. He’ll practice tomorrow in a green jersey, so he’ll be limited contact but full speed there. We’ll see how he reacts ot that, and if he can handle Tuesday, Wednesday practice, we’re hopeful he’ll go Saturday.”
Strachan then appeared on the team's social media page as one of their "Nacho Dip" award winners for the week, and in the accompanying photograph, he was in full pads. Now, this isn't neccessarily confirmation that he's guaranteed to play this week, but you feel like he doesn't win a weekly team award if he's not trending toward being ready to play.
Strachan will be a significant addition once he returns, and he adds the type of size that creates legitimate mismatches for defenders and can be difficult to defend against. And while quarterback Mike Hawkins Jr. hasn't done a ton of throwing in his first two games, he's looked extremely efficient in the pass game when he is throwing. If we're right and Strachan is back in action this week, expect him to play a major role for West Virginia's offense.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations