Posted: October 21st, 2008 - by: MountaineerBob

Looking in a mirror? Auburn vs. WVU: Gold Rush 08

WVU and Auburn are just about where they started off the preseason rankings, neck and neck. Only now, instead of being ranked  8 & 10 respectively, they are ranked 43 and 42. Ehh shit….

This game was supposed to have a different story line. It was supposed to be a game that pitted two undefeated top 10 teams together in front of a national stage on ESPN Thursday Night. It was supposed to be a game that propelled Pat White into the Heisman candidate elite. It was supposed to push WVU into the top 5 or top 3 in the BCS. It was supposed to show the country that we can, and will, schedule difficult out-of-conference games year in and year out and win them all. Well, things didn’t quite work out that way… for either team.

WVU is trying it’s dag-gum best to get back into at least the top 30. We aren’t used to being in this position. Personally, I was hoping AU would win out till they met us to help us get back into the top 25 but they are imploding in a very familiar manner. Actually, they are a little worst off than us and in a downward spiral that I hope we can take advantage of.  Hell there are even reports that Tuberville had a stroke.

“Over the last week or so, there obviously have been a lot of things said,” Tuberville began at a news conference this afternoon in Auburn, Ala. “I just want everybody to know things are going good. I did not have a stroke. I’m not tired of coaching. I’m as fired up as ever. I feel as good as I ever have about coaching. I still have that drive; I read that my drive was gone[, too.] No, we did not negotiate a contract last week. That’s a new one that came out. . . . I’ve been here 10 years. I plan on being here 10 more years.

“It’s just amazing the rumors going around when things aren’t going as good as you hope. No matter what happens, you’re going to have years where it doesn’t work out. I’m looking forward to the next five weeks and seeing how we can do. All the detractors from outside that keep throwing stones at us, that’s fine. I appreciate the sympathy cards for all my illnesses and all that. I go to church, and people ask me if I’m all right. I knew right then this thing was getting out of hand. That’s why I wanted to make a short statement that I’m going to make it through the week.

Ouch, I think that’s a little worse than BOO-ING.

That all being said, WVU has a lot going for it in this SEC match up:

  • It’s Prime Time ESPN at home! (but don’t forget about the Thursday Night Curse, which team will suffer it’s wrath?)
  • Defensive lineman Pat Liebig is expected to return to play as a backup after missing the past three Mountaineers (4-2) games due to a lingering concussion.
  • Mountaineers quarterback Patrick White is ready and “raring to go” against the Tigers (4-3), Coach Bill Stewart said today, after missing one game and one quarter, also because of a concussion.

I’m apprehensive to even think about making a prediction for this game, but fuck it…

WVU – 24
Auburn – 17

See y’all there. And by the way, I have been receiving questions about how to get tickets to this one. Barry’s Tickets has em!

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