WVU Football: Storylines to Watch For in Mountaineers Matchup with Utah

The West Virginia Mountaineers will be back in Morgantown this Saturday for a home game against Utah. Both the Mountaineers and the Utes are coming off disappointing performances in their first of conference play. WVU got completely outplayed in a 41-10 loss at Kansas. Utah, which was ranked 16th in the AP Poll last week, fell to the 17th-ranked Texas Tech at home by a final score of 34-10. As West Virginia looks to get back on track, it will have to do so against a talented and angry football team. 

Here are 3 Storylines to Watch For in the Matchup 

1. Injuries (Who Plays & Who Sits?) 

Things have gotten rather complicated concerning the health of the West Virginia roster at this point in time. After losing Jahiem White and Jaden Bray to season-ending injuries suffered in Week 2, there have been numerous other injuries sustained through the last two weeks. After a breakout performance by running back Tye Edwards against Pitt, he did not play at Kansas. In Coach Rodriguez’s update regarding the status of Edwards for this weekend, he stated that "it’s probably more doubtful at this point.” Starting center Landen Livingston sustained a lower-body injury against Kansas. Rodriguez referred to his status as questionable for Saturday. 

Running back Cycnir Bowers sustained a concussion against Kansas, and wide receiver Preston Fox remains questionable after not playing against Kansas. On top of all that, starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol is seeing a foot specialist in Colorado after battling with pain for a few weeks and is questionable to play against Utah, and offensive lineman Kimo Makane'ole and Ty'Kieast Crawford are also potentially banged up – but were not listed as injured on the first round of player availability reports listed on Wednesday. The same goes for running back Kannon Katzer, who we have yet to see this season.

The Mountaineers have certainly had their struggles this season, and with the injuries piling up, we may see some new faces get a shot at playing time on the offensive side of the ball in particular.

2. Offensive Line vs Utah’s Front

It’s no secret that West Virginia’s offensive line has struggled all season. Up against a talented Utah defense, they will have their hands full and may be without starting center Landen Livingston. Utah comes into the matchup ranked fourth in the Big 12 with 10 sacks. 

Guards Walter Young Bear and Kimo Makane’ole and tackle Ty'Kieast Crawford have struggled immensely through the team’s first four games, and it's starting to draw some attention from both the fans and the media.

It may be in the best interest of the team to let some more players see the field along the offensive line. Given Livingston's condition and depending on what's happening with Makane'ole and Crawford, we might see a few new faces.

3. Might Jaylen Henderson Be The Answer At Quarterback?

With the offensive line struggles and Nicco Marchiol potentially being sidelined with an injury, we may see a change at quarterback. Jaylen Henderson has gotten limited playing time this season, and with the game all but won for Kansas, Henderson led WVU to their only touchdown on a 95-yard drive, primarily getting it done on the ground. W

While Marchiol may be the more accurate passer, he is not the runner that Henderson is. Henderson adds an element to the offense that could allow for more success. Even in the horrendous showing against Kansas, WVU picked up 182 yards, led by Henderson’s 79 yards. Against Pitt, Tye Edwards ran for 141 yards. The point here is that, despite the offensive line's struggles, they may be better at run blocking than pass protection. If that is the case, why not give the keys to the offense to Jaylen Henderson and see what he can do?