Opportunity is Knocking Coach!

You know, if you think about this, Rich Rodriguez has a great opportunity before him.

It is often hard to distinguish between the hard knocks in life and those of opportunity. ~Frederick Phillips

The Mountaineers and their coaching staff have a huge opportunity in front of them. Beat Oklahoma and win another BCS bowl game.

Here's the logic:
Throughout the entire month of December media people would be complaining about how West Virginia didn't deserve to be in the national championship game because of their weak schedule (35th toughest according to Sagarin Ratings), or their weak conference (2nd in the nation compared to the Sagarin Ratings) or a number of other excuses.

Well, now they are able to prepare and compete against the team that everyone thought SHOULD have been in the championship game but isn't. Beat Oklahoma and all of a sudden West Virginia has proven than maybe they do belong up near the top with the rest of the blue bloods.

A victory over the Sooners could have people saying, "West Virginia just may be able to compete with the big dogs after all."

Two BCS wins in three years three consecutive bowl victories ..... hmmmm.

It will help recruiting, AND when the preseason polls come out in 2008, maybe a #3 pre-season ranking, and a more experienced team can accomplish what seemed to slip away in 2007.

The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. ~Benjamin Disraeli

BECAUSE

Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss. ~Author Unknown

Why?

http://dailymail.com/News/200712050221

A story has surfaced in West Virginia concerning Mountaineers' place kicker Pat McAfee receiving death threats.

Come on people, lighten up! I know it's tough and disappointing, but don't be idiots!

I am sure that Pat McAfee inentionally missed those field goals. (please read with sarcastic tone) West Virginians have enough trouble with the stereotypical misunderstanding that many unintelligent people in this country have. DON'T MAKE IT WORSE BY DOING STUPID THINGS!

Pat McAfee is a 20-something year old young man who is not paid to perform his duties. He has four things he needs to do in his life at the present time:
(1) Go to class
(2) Stay out of trouble
(3) Kick field goals
(4) Punt the football

Now I know he missed 2 FGs, but let me ask you this question, who doesn't make a mistake or two at work every now and then. Now some of you may say I am being cavalier about this but let's remember again, HE'S 20-SOMETHING years old.

If someone can honestly say they NEVER make a mistake at work every now and then, you should see if you have eligibility left, and I am sure Pat would step aside and let you kick for the Mountaineers.

Here's my suggestion, if these morons who vandalized his car, and house and have managed to threaten his life should be caught, they should be made to kick a field goal in front of 60,000+ screaming people, and a national television audience. If they make it, they get the minimum jail sentence. If they miss it, they get the maximum jail sentence. I think they need to understand the true meaning of the word pressure.

There's only two people who should be angry with Pat McAfee. Pat McAfee and Rich Rodriguez. That's it. Nobody is blaming Pat White for what he said was a bad throw into the end zone of 4th and 17, except for Pat White.

Bottom line don't judge these players too harshly for making a mistake while playing a football game, and don't Mountaineers fans, don't give our state and fans a bad name by doing something stupid.

In addition, if you analyze the game a little closer, I don't think Pat McAfee should be solely blamed for the loss. How about the coaching staff, and pretty much the entire team.

Finally, when this thing is resolved and we would happen to find out that the death threats and vadalizing were being done by people from some place other than West Virginia, like say, a WVU students from other states, I would hope that it would be publicly noted. Even though in my mind I know it won't.

Because in my heart, I find it hard to believe that a West Virginian would do something like this. We respect each other too much.

THE COMMON TIES OF RED SOX NATION AND MOUNTAINEERS NATION

The sun didn't shine Sunday, nor is it shining today

Sure, there’s daylight, but it wasn't a good yesterday because of everyone begrudgingly canceling all of their NOLA travel plans.

In a matter of one week, we have experienced college football's highest of highs, and of course lowest of lows.

Some would say the Pitts.

Over the past months, the hopes of Mountaineer fans have hinged on needing a series of major upsets.

We've watched and secretly cheered as USF, USC, Cal, Oklahoma, Oregon, BC, LSU, Ohio State, Kansas, and LSU have fallen one by one.

Finally, all the upsets and stars aligned to thrust our beloved Mounties into the right position, Almost Heaven.

Well, live by the sword, die by the sword.

All those teams against whom we have cheered against over the course of this crazy season along with the media pundits got the last laugh Saturday night.

Once again, as we have experienced throughout the long and somewhat depressing history that is Mountaineer Football, we took that unexpected punch in the gut.

It's not any different than any of the following:

* 1955 Sugar Bowl disaster,

* 1970 36-35 loss to Pitt -
after leading 35-8 at half,

* 1972 Peach Bowl loss to N. C. State,

* 1975 undefeated season, lost to Penn State (20-0) then lost to Temple the next week,

* 1982 24-0 loss to Penn State when we were undefeated and out gained them 2 to 1.

* 1982 16-13 loss to Pitt after leading 13-0 in the 4th quarter.

* 1984 (3) losses to end a season after we had posted the 2 greatest
back to back wins in school history.

* 1988 loss to ND in the national championship.

* 1993 Sugar Bowl loss to Fla.

* 1994 Kickoff Classic vs Nebraska 34-0 - embarrassment on National TV where the only good play was a 92 yard punt

* 1996 loss to Miami - blocked punt in the final seconds (undefeated no more).

* 1997 loss at ND when a win was definitely within the team's grasp.

* 2004 losses to BC and Pitt

* 2006 fumbled opportunity at Louisville.

* 2006 loss to USF.

* 2007 fumbled opportunity at USF.

There are probably more, but the pain of this loss is blocking my memory.

Last night was probably the combination of a lot of things; all of which were needed for Pitt to win a game that really shouldn't have been close.

Missed opportunities and missed field goals.
Missed blocking assignments and reads.
Over confidence.
Lack of focus.
Lack of preparation by the coaches and players.
Fumbles!

While it is the end of a dream that started with the 2005 Louisville comeback, it isn't the end of our hopes.

We still have one of the best coaches in the sport. Rich Rod will make the adjustments needed and get things corrected. Look what he did in taking a defense from the low of last year to the strength of this year.

We will ask questions and Monday morning quarterback this game for weeks, months and probably years.

Is our offensive line average at best?

Why didn't we throw the ball across the wide open middle?

Why did we limit the touches by Devine, Reynaud and Schmidt?

Why has Rich, who talks about the importance of the Pitt Rivalry only have a 4-3 record against what is certainly a lesser opponent during his tenure? Two of these losses have been really expensive - 2004 costing us a BCS bowl and 2007 costing us a BCS title game spot.

Disappointment is historic for Mountaineer fans.

But, keep in mind that if you are going to play this game at the highest of levels, which we really are, than the disappointments will be magnified.

Think how many Wide Rights and Wide Lefts have keep Bobby Bowden from winning national championships.

None of this explains how a 28-1/2 pt underdog beats a team with the opportunity to play for a national championship.

But, what makes sense in this season of college football, or in the history Mountaineer Football

Here’s the deal….we are the Boston Red Sox of college football….…NOW that being said…..you have a choice…love ‘em or leave ‘em, because as much as the Red Sox Nation has been through years of frustration, disappointment and pain, and as much as they “whine” about said frustration, and wear the disappointment around their necks like an albatross……They LOVE THEIR TEAM!

SO PICK YOURSELVES UP OFF THE MAT MOUNTAINEERS FANS BECAUSE WE HAVE A TEAM TO SUPPORT AND A FIESTA BOWL TO WIN!
Let’s Go Eat Some Tostitos!