College football 2018 preview: Predicting the first loss for every Top 25 team
West Virginia probably saw Tennessee as a much better opponent three years ago when they scheduled a neutral site matchup with the Vols to kick off the 2018 season. They probably dodged a bullet though. The Vols have plenty of flaws but they also have a roster loaded with former four-star recruits that have been reinvigorated by a much-needed infusion of competency on the coaching staff.
With quarterback Will Grier and his favorite target, David Sills, both playing in their final year of eligibility, West Virginia has the pressure to win and win now. Tennessee has zero expectations in Jeremy Pruitt’s first season (unless this gets some serious traction).
After narrowly surviving Tennessee in Charlotte to start the year, West Virginia returns to North Carolina for a road game against NC State in Week 3. That’s where their perfect (2-0) season comes to an end. The Wolfpack lost four starters to the draft so they’ll take a step back on defense but and they’ll have the offense that can light up the scoreboard and cover a lot of defensive shortcomings.
Quarterback Ryan Finley and his top five receivers from a season ago are back, as are three starters on the offensive line and running back Reggie Gallaspy. Gallaspy was the team’s second-leading rusher in 2017 and should get the bulk of the carries this year. At 5-feet-11, 225 pounds, he’s basically a brick mailbox on wheels that no one’s going to have fun tackling.
West Virginia gave up almost 32 points a game last year (90th in the nation in scoring defense). They’ll benefit from most of their starters coming back but continuity is overrated if it just means the players who couldn’t stop anyone last year are back to not stop anyone this year. West Virginia will win and lose a few games that surprise in 2018 and one of the losses will be against NC State.