The Mountaineers lost only one conference matchup all season, which was to No. 1 ranked Miami, and they finished the season on a four-game winning streak. West Virginia?s last two victories came against No. 19 Virginia Tech and No. 23 Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Virginia finished on a losing note, in a 21-9 loss to Virginia Tech. Both the Cavaliers and Mountaineers also shared Maryland as a common opponent this season, but the Terps blew out West Virginia, while Virginia clobbered them in its second last outing of the regular term.
Backed by the nation?s second-best ground attack, the Mountaineers posted an impressive 6-1 Big East record. The team scrambled for a bruising 286.9 yards per game, and they?ve rushed for well over 200 yards in each of their last seven outings.
Running back Avon Cobourne finished eighth in the nation in rushing with a monstrous 1,593 yards and he plunged into the end zone 15 times. Cobourne amassed nine 100-yard rushing games and he was complimented by speedy junior tailback Quincy Wilson.
Cobourne and Wilson pose a scary threat to Virginia?s rushing defense, which ranks a horrible 104th in the country. The Cavs will have to rely on their offense, which is led by the ACC?s Player of the Year, Matt Schuab. Schuab beat out N.C. State?s Philip Rivers by a slim four points in the voting. The Cavalier signal caller collected 27 TD passes this campaign, while tossing just seven picks.
Virginia will enter the Continental Tire Bowl as the underdog, which is a familiar role for the Cavs. They played the nation?s 12th toughest schedule and its last four opponents were all ranked in the top 25. The Cavs upset two of their final four foes, pounding Maryland by five TDs and edging out N.C. State 14-9. Those wins helped Cavs coach Al Groh earn the ACC Coach of the Year Award.
Virginia and West Virginia are riding ?under? trends into this matchup, as the last three Mountaineers tilts have dipped ?under? the ?total?, along with four of the last five Cavs games.
good luck mj....
Scott King of the Underdogs