Jeff Gentner, Associated Press Patrick White returns to engineer the offense. Click photo for larger image. Related coverage: Camping with ... Pitt Panthers Camping with ... Penn State Nittany Lions

Coach: Rich Rodriguez 2006 W-L: 11-2

The most ballyhooed West Virginia preseason opened yesterday, or at least the most ballyhooed since last August, and the Mountaineers kicked it off with an opening number. First, an Elvis remix blared over the Mountaineer Field public-address system. Then a little Jackson 5. Some KC and the Sunshine Band. And, finally, Chuck Berry with "Johnny B. Goode."

The Mountaineers have orchestrated a 22-3 record the past two seasons and are picked to win the Big East Conference this fall, and predicted for another New Year's Day bowl visit. Success has been an old, familiar tune for the program of late. But how good will Steve Slaton, Patrick White and company be?

There will be a few new refrains to write in the four-week run-up to the Western Michigan opener Sept. 1. A few concerns to resolve before a vexing road: West Virginia must visit South Florida and Rutgers, and it plays four other 2006 bowl teams.

Consider these five camp questions surrounding the Mountaineers, who are ranked No. 6 in the preseason USA Today coaches poll:

1) How will they address, or redress, the defense?

Or, its sister question: Will it be a good thing or a bad thing that the defense lost only three starters from a year ago? After all, this was a unit that ended up allowing 416 yards and 32 points on average to its final six opponents. There is talk of a 3-4 and two-deep and single-safety coverage from a previously consistent 3-3-5 alignment. "I think our defensive coaches have a pretty good plan," coach Rich Rodriguez said, declining to specify. "Part of what we try to do will be determined in the next two weeks," with how the players pick up the new wrinkles.

2) Will the secondary improve with the same personnel?

Coaches shuffled a few players last spring. Most prominent among them was strong safety Eric Wicks of Perry Traditional Academy moving to free safety and freshman cornerback Boogie Allen to bandit, or even have them switch. Still, the cast of characters is mostly the same: Ridwan Malik, Quenton Andrews and Charles Pugh at safety along with Michigan transfer Ryan Mundy of Woodland Hills; and Vaughn Rivers of Perry, Antonio Lewis, Larry Williams, Guesly Dervil and Kent Richardson at cornerback. Coaches hope what helps them are experience and "disguising our coverages a whole lot more," as Allen put it.

3) Can they piece together a sturdy offensive line?

Three-year starters Dan Mozes and Jeremy Sheffey are gone, yet you'll find a contingent of folks who consider West Virginia's biggest loss being assistant head coach and line boss Rick Trickett's departure to Florida State. New coach Greg Frey, from South Florida, gets back Ryan Stanchek and Jake Figner at tackles and guard Greg Isdaner, who took some snaps in drills yesterday and will continue at center in practices. Eric Rodemoyer of Kennedy Catholic High and Mike Dent of Jeannette are the front-runners for the guard and center spots vacated by all-Big East Sheffey and All-America Mozes. Of Frey, Rodemoyer said: "I think he'll pick up where our old coach left off."

4) Can they get their receivers ready in time?

Only four weeks to find new targets for White and backup quarterback Jarrett Brown, whom Rodriguez maintains will play more often. Gone is Brandon Myles, the corps leader the past two years. The athletic Darius Reynaud needs to get his hands on the ball a half-dozen times per game. Sophomore Wes Lyons of Woodland Hills, junior-college transfer Arlic Arnett and a peck of freshmen could get considerable playing time. "I think they will," Rodriguez said.

5) Can they stay injury free?

Already on day one, White, the 2006 Big East offensive player of the year, missed some of practice with a sore back and Slaton, the consensus All-American tailback, wore a red, no-contact jersey even though it was a shells-only practice with some drills sans helmet in the heat. Slaton, who feels fine after January wrist surgery, still finds himself carrying the football in his injury-forced left hand. "You got to be lucky to keep them 100 percent [healthy]," Rodriguez said. "Especially when they're explosive players."