Gator Bowl

West Virginia averages 302.3 rushing yards per game. Talk about one of the best ground games in

Tech’s defense held opponents to 17.5 points per game. Two touchdowns and a field goal per

the country. The Mountaineers never hide from their offensive identity and amazingly, WV still ranks second in the NCAA in rushing behind Navy. At 302.3 yards per game, one would figure the Mountaineers would be setting records weekly. It’s no secret what players are featured in WV’s ground attack, either. Quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton are simply electrifying running the shotgun option, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them gash Georgia Tech's defense for big plays all game.

game seem like a lot for a defense to give up. Look a little closer at the Jackets' schedule, however, and some things pop out. First, Tech held Notre Dame’s explosive offense to only 14 points in the season opener. Tech also shut out North Carolina. No big deal against the Tar Heels, right? Well, give some credit to the Jackets’ D since the offense only mustered seven points that day. Despite two losses to end the season, Tech also held in-state rival Georgia to 15 points and Wake Forest to nine. The Jackets’ biggest test of the season is coming soon. West Virginia is averaging 38.9 points a game.

Pat White and Steve Slaton vs. Tech’s run defense. One reason why the Yellow Jackets had some

Calvin Johnson vs. West Virginia’s secondary. Johnson was arguably the best wide receiver in college

success this season was because of its run defense. Tech is only allowing 88.3 yards per game on the ground, so one would think that the unit is very prepared to take away White and Slaton. That task is easier said than done, however. The Jackets didn’t face a single back that was more dangerous than White or Slaton all season, nevertheless, two speedsters at the same time. Get Tech’s usually stout run defense on its heels and West Virginia should roll, err, run to victory.

football this season. The junior ended up with 67 catches this season for 1,016 yards and 13 touchdowns. Johnson also finished with six 100-yard games, including an eight catch, 117-yard game in the ACC Championship. The best medicine for an inconsistent offense is to make sure to get the ball into the playmaker’s hands. Johnson is the best thing going for the Yellow Jackets’ offense and the Mountaineers have struggled at times in pass coverage.

West Virginia will win if Pat White and Steve Slaton show up. Actually, Georgia Tech’s defense is very

Georgia Tech will win if Calvin Johnson can have another 100-yard day with at least two or three

disciplined and should match up well with the Mountaineers stud tandem. However, the Yellow Jackets offense isn’t good enough to match WV score for score, so the defense is going to be vulnerable during the second half when it starts to tire. White and Slaton are so fast and agile that they’re bound to bust out a big play, or two, or three. Offensively, Rich Rodriguez isn’t going to change a thing. And why would he? His offense is averaging over 300 yards per game running the ball. Defensively is where Rodriguez and the Mountaineers are going to earn a victory. With quarterback Reggie Ball deemed ineligible for the game due to poor grades, Calvin Johnson becomes the main focal point for WV’s defense. In losses to Louisville and South Florida this season, the Mountaineers had trouble with pass defense. The Cardinals Brian Brohm threw for 364 yards on the WV secondary while finishing with a passer efficiency rating of over 200. Part of the Mountaineers’ problem on defense is that the unit can’t get off the field at times. Citing both losses again, WV allowed both opponents to convert nearly 50 percent of their third downs. Giving Tech extra chances will kill momentum and even worse, keep White and Slaton off the field. If Johnson is allowed to wreak havoc in the Mountaineer secondary, it won’t matter how many rushing yards White and Slaton pile up. WV’s best game plan defensively would be to pressure backup quarterback Taylor Bennett. Head coach Chan Gailey even said that Bennett is going to have to cram in practice in order for him to be ready to play January 1. That should spell disaster for an already struggling offense. Send the kitchen sink at Bennett, surround Johnson deep and the defense should be fine.

touchdowns. Even though Reggie Ball struggled at times this season, he was still a leader and playmaker. Backup quarterback Taylor Bennett just won’t have enough time to prepare for the game to open up the playbook a ton. Chan Gailey is going to have to scale back the offensive game plan for Bennett and possibly put the ball, -- and game -- squarely into tailback Tashard Choice’s hands. Choice is a fine player, but it’s unreasonable to think that he can carry the full offensive load. That’s why the NFL-bound Johnson is the perfect man to lean on. Johnson uses exceptional body control and seems to always nab passes at their highest point. Most cornerbacks can’t hang with Johnson for an entire game, but the problem becomes if Calvin is Tech’s lone offensive weapon. If WV only has to game plan for one player, the Jackets are probably going to be up a creek without a paddle. Tech’s offensive line is going to need to open up some running lanes for Choice so the Mountaineers have to at least respect the run while shadowing Johnson all over the field. Defensively, obviously the main focus for the Jackets is going to be on Pat White and Steve Slaton. WV's most dangerous formation is the shotgun option. In the formation, White and Slaton usually line up side by side and after White receives the snap, his eyes immediately go to the outside linebacker or defensive end. If the d-end or ‘backer crash down inside to take away Slaton’s running lane, White can keep the ball himself and head to the edge. If the end or linebacker stays put, White can hand the ball off to Slaton and let him head straight for the gully of the defense. Georgia Tech’s linebackers are just going to have to stay disciplined and not let White get the edges. Slaton is dangerous, but it’s better to keep him bottled up in the middle of the defense where more defenders usually are, then to allow White to run free on the outsides. Contain the duo for most of the game and Tech has a better chance of coming away with a victory.

Pat White’s right arm. All the talk about White’s running abilities is well documented, and well

Tech might have the right Choice. Tailback Tashard Choice was one of the only consistent things about

deserved for that matter. When a quarterback rushes for over a thousand yards and 17 touchdowns, people take notice. But what many forget is that White has a very accurate arm. He completed over 66 percent of his passes this season and finished his sophomore year with a QB rating of 158.12. Take away White and his running partner Steve Slaton, and one would think the opposition would come away with a victory. Until White starts zeroing in on first downs through the air of course. Tech better not completely sell out to stop the run.

the Tailback Tashard Choice was one of the only consistent things about the Yellow Jackets often-inconsistent offense this season. Choice rushed for 1,304 yards in the regular season on 270 carries. He’s durable too, carrying the rock as many as 34 times (at North Carolina State) and 32 times (at North Carolina) in back-to-back wins this season. With all eyes on Calvin Johnson, Choice might surprise people with his running strength and big frame. If too much attention is paid to Johnson, Choice is liable to go off.

Talk about a winning record, West Virginia is 17-2 in its last 19 games. Head coach Rich Rodriguez has

Calvin Johnson is majoring in Building Construction. During the summer of 2006, Johnson was

pushed all the right buttons in the past two years at WV. It helps Rodriguez that he has one of the youngest and best quarterback-running back combinations in all of college football. Sophomores Pat White and Steve Slaton are a huge reason why the Mountaineers have finished with back-to-back 10-win seasons. Keep up the winning ways boys.

given the choice of working on either constructing environmentally-friendly luxury condos, or a project building solar latrines to improve sanitation in Bolivia. Johnson chose the latter, because he wanted to help less fortunate people. The young man plans on traveling to Bolivia in January ’07 as part of the project.