i've been saying this for years to this (now reduced in size) crowd, and i still believe it completely.
offenses like that WVU runs is excessively potent. they can and will score points. that can't be taken away from them... but...
it also takes a few weeks at game speed (which can be approximated in practices but not duplicated) to fully gel those components. meanwhile, three yards and a cloud of dust adhering to fundamentals players have executed their entire lives will play out and 'gel' within a few downs.
If i've got Pruitt's intent for offensive execution right, this actually lends credit to UT's chances in this game. the thing about WVU's attack is it will be herky-jerky throughout the game, and this is by nature what can be expected from their type/family of offensive execution. they WILL break off some big ones no doubt, but i DO doubt they'll be able to methodically move the ball downfield like they'll be able to from likely week three/four onward into the season...
because i am guessing this will be the case with WVU's O, I don't think they'll pile the points on UT's questionable D. Also, WVU's D is honestly so bad that UT's O should be able to gain early confidence.... confidence that won't last when they encounter a truly elite D later in the year.
I still think WVU pulls it out. I wouldn't for a second doubt that UT doesn't fight until the end- maybe in same fashion they did last year against GT in the opener, meaning: unlikely and defying probability.
add to this that nobody really knows what to expect from UT. their aren't films to observe or habits exposed. it's a brand new team.
for these reasons i give UT a helluva shot in this game. I just don't think they have enough in the defensive backfield to protect against those receivers every play. I fear they'll be like Jones's first season when "as soon as the ball gets behind the defensive player, it's six points". WVU only has to do that 5 times to win this game.
