West Virginia football: 3 biggest offseason questions facing Mountaineers in 2021

Neal Brown, West Virginia Mountaineers. (Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports)
Neal Brown, West Virginia Mountaineers. (Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Jarret Doege, West Virginia Mountaineers
Jarret Doege, West Virginia Mountaineers. (Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports) /

2. Can Jarret Doege take the next step for the Mountaineers offensively?

For the ‘Eers to take that next step as a program under Brown, they need to become more consistent offensively. While the defense is certainly there, WVU has to do a better job of keeping pace with some of the better offenses in the Big 12. That means it will be a huge spring for returning senior starting quarterback Jarret Doege. Is he able to make the necessary leap in 2021?

Doege has been in Morgantown the last two years after initially playing his college ball at Bowling Green. In two years at West Virginia, Doege has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. While he is coming off a decent 2020 campaign, West Virginia really needs him to put up 2018 Bowling Green numbers for the ‘Eers to have success.

The good news for Doege is he has a strong running back to lean on in Leddie Brown, as well as a strong defense. However, if West Virginia wants any shot at being a top-four team in Big 12 play, that will hinge on the arm of Doege. He has to be the one to get the most out of Brown’s offense. Otherwise, it will be another so-so season for Mountaineers football once again in Morgantown.

Ultimately, Doege will have to rise to the occasion when the Mountaineers go up against Spencer Rattler’s Oklahoma Sooners or Brock Purdy’s Iowa State Cyclones. Those are projected to be this year’s two best teams in the Big 12 again. Simply put, the West Virginia football team will go as far as Doege can take this offense. He does not have to be transformative, just a steadying presence.