What Will WVU's Offense Look Like if Nicco Marchiol Starts?
West Virginia starting quarterback Garrett Greene is questionable for this week's game against Texas Tech. Greene suffered an ankle injury on the second WVU offensive series in the win over Pitt and did not return.
Redshirt freshman Nicco Marchiol wasn't asked to do much, but did a good job of managing the game and making just enough plays with his arm to help lead the Mountaineers past the Panthers.
Greene was seen in a walking boot in the second half of the Backyard Brawl and has missed the first two practices of this week. However, there's still a chance Greene will suit up on Saturday, according to head coach Neal Brown.
"I think it's too early to say. I think a lot of it has to do with how he responds over the next few days. We won't play him unless he can utilize his best skillset which is his athleticism.
"I don't want to put a number of reps or days," Brown answered when asked about how much he would like Greene to practice in order to play in the game. "The best answer I can give to that is if he can move around and play like himself, then he'll play. If he can't, then he won't. Some people bounce back from these a little quicker than others. He's doing everything possible to get ready, but I think time will tell."
So, what will the game plan be for the Mountaineers offensively if No. 8 is indeed called into action? A rather similar approach to the Pitt game with a slightly expanded call sheet. Neal Brown isn't going to completely open up the offense in just a handful of days for the young quarterback, but we'll see more shots down the field and throws over the middle than we did last Saturday.
"He has got really high-end ability. He can run the football. He showed good speed versus Duquesne but he's more of a in between the tackles type of runner, he's real physical. You could see that in high school. He was a tough tackle," said Brown. "He's really good with balls in between the hashes, he's got good velocity on it. Throws the deep ball well. He didn't throw it down the field as well as he can in the game. Some of that is just timing issues that when he practices, he'll be better. Our expectation is that if he plays that we'll be really good on offense."
Going away from running the football behind the "Great Wall of China" as CJ Donaldson calls the o-line, would be foolish, particularly in this game. Texas Tech wants the ball in their hands for 70-80 plays every week in an effort to fatigue the defense. By running the football successfully, you're chewing up clock and keeping an offense that's used to going 100 miles per hour on the sideline, chomping at the bit to get back on the field.
If the Mountaineers can establish the run and push Tech's front around, they can absolutely knock off the Red Raiders with a clean game from Marchiol. Having him drop back 30+ times isn't a recipe for success. Not in his first collegiate start at least.
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