The entire Mountaineer nation suffered a heavy blow Dec. 16, 2007, delivered by West Virginia’s once fearless leader himself— Rich Rodriguez. Much like Pearl Harbor or the sinking of the Titanic, this day will forever live in infamy.

The once beloved coach of the underdog football team turned his back on all those that looked up to him. He broke promises to all his players. The talented freshman class signed with the idea of playing and growing under Rodriguez for four years. Instead they got one.

The loyal seniors that chose WVU four or five years ago when Rodriguez was trying to rebuild the program received a slap in the face Sunday when he informed them he was leaving for the other gold and blue.

Rodriguez gave up on his superstars Patrick White and Steve Slaton. The dynamic duo that was turned down by other football programs now find themselves in a situation all too similar. These legendary Mountaineers are arguably the best players at their position the University will ever see. They helped mold WVU’s new explosive offense and launched Rodriguez into the national spotlight as the responsible architect. How he could look them in the eye and inform them he was leaving them behind forever is simply the act of a heartless, greedy, no good, selfish traitor.

The Mountaineers now face one of their toughest tests in the illustrious history of the program. The despairing 13-9 loss to arch-rival Pitt landed the Big East champions in Glendale, Ariz. for the 2008 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. The Sooners are regarded as one of the top teams, if not the top team in the land.

It is times like these you separate the boys from the men. The fickle, fair-weather fans from the faithful. The leaders from the followers.

This game might as well be David versus Goliath. West Virginia football is a religion in the Mountain State. An upset victory over a giant such as Oklahoma in the most adverse conditions the Mountaineers have been cast into would uplift every grieving player, fan, student and alumnus across the country. West Virginia thrives in an underdog role and they’ve never been underdogs as much as they are now.

Mountaineer fans need to stand behind this team now more than ever. The season is not over. The likes of White, Slaton, Owen Schmitt, Darius Reynaud and company have made us laugh, cry, stand up and cheer and made one proud to call them self a Mountaineer. The entire team has taken the program to heights most told them they could never achieve. They have restored immeasurable pride and tradition to West Virginia football. These guys didn’t deserve to go out like this. We cannot thank them enough for their efforts on and off the field that helped provide memories that will last a lifetime. The Sugar Bowl. The Gator Bowl. The Louisville games. The accomplishments are endless.

Michigan may be able to take our coaches but they can’t take away our fan hood, pride, memories and intense loyalty to the Mountaineers.

We will never forgive nor forget the way in which Rodriguez hurt his alma mater and home state. The show must go on however and the team needs to make sure Oklahoma is in for a fight. WVU will survive the darkness fraudriguez left it in. There is always hope in the hearts of the ever-resilient West Virginia Mountaineers.

Side note: And by the way, Be-lyin better hope to God, Buddha, Allah or whatever spiritual being he prays to that he doesn’t EVER meet up with HIS former WVU team and the godfather of college basketball Bob Huggins. We came out better with that deal and will do so on the football field.