Colin Dunlap: Hello all, welcome to the WVU football chat ... fire away.

WVUDA: What's the latest on Berry aside from Day-to day? I think he is a bigger loss than Reed Williams. Although neither have done much to date and the back ups filled in well against ECU. I'd like to have Berry for the game though obviously. Williams is a team leader, but I am not sure he one of the top 3 LB's anymore.

Colin Dunlap: You hit it. Berry is day to day, and that is the same info we are receiving. I think, if he can't go (and my guess is that he will play, but be limited) that we will see a rotation of sorts with the linemen. We will see some Josh Taylor, some Larry Ford and maybe some Jorge Wright...also, do not be surprise to see a lot of Ovid Goulbourne, moved to a DL position from his LB spot

BurghEer: Colin - I read the message boards. What do newspaper reporters and other guys in the traditional media think of the message boards and places like Rivals?

Colin Dunlap: They are what they are, take everything with a (huge) grain of salt. I think they undoubtedly serve a purpose for the fans, and are a great gathering place for people to bounce things off one another. As far as news value, not so much. When representatives of the sites wear clothing to a press conference with the team's logo on it, and ask questions such as, "What do WE need to do to win this week?" and "How did OUR guys look in practice..." Well, I think you can understand the true amount of objectivity they have. Again, those sites serve a purpose....being objective isn't one of them. You want objectivity, stick to the newspapers.

BurghEer: Colin, What do you think of Tony Caridi? Is he too much of a homer?

Colin Dunlap: The man is the official voice of the team, and his slant is going to be a WVU slant. That said, no he is not a homer. Tony is a pro. On a personal level, he is a gentleman and a very kind person who is willing to help just about anyone. The guy is first class all the way and a great representative of WVU. That said, if you have a problem w/ Tony Caridi, well, the problem is yours.

Chooch79: Regardless of the score this weekend, if WVU beats Auburn, do they crack the top 25?

Colin Dunlap: Indeed, I think West Virginia would. Going on the road, beating an undefeated SEC team at night should elevate WVU into the top 25

feverblisterWVU: When will Geno Smith get his first snaps for WVU? We've assumed that it would happen in the first two weeks in lopsided situations, but the chance of Jarrett getting hurt and pressing Geno into action looms..... Should they try to work him in a series?

Colin Dunlap: No. If Brown stays healthy, I say ride it out as long as possible...the deeper you get into the season without playing him, why not just try and go for the redshirt. The kid is the QB of the future.

Chooch79: Is it time to just consider kicking the ball out of bounds and starting the D on the 40 yard line?

Colin Dunlap: ouch. not yet. There have been some personnel changes to that unit. We will see how it works out. I will say this...if WVU wants to win this week, they HAVE to win the field possession battle.

Mountaineer_in_Charlotte: Will we have any injuries lingering that will effect our gameplan?

Colin Dunlap: Berry and Williams, yes. Both are day to day according to Stewart. Berry's injury, to me, is a much bigger hit. I think Najee Goode has proven he could come in for Reed Williams and be tremendous.

Minor_Harris: A prediction for saturday?

Colin Dunlap: 31-28 West Virginia...with a big 'if' That is if there are no special teams miscues. If there are special teams miscues, this one could get away from WVU. Remember, Auburn isn't Florida or USC, then again they aren't East Carolina ... what I mean is this -- you hand them field possession, they are going to make you pay.

Minor_Harris: What WVU player will have the greatest impact on the game Saturday?

Colin Dunlap: Jarrett Brown is the easy answer, but it is not my answer. Mine is Jock Sanders. With all the talk about this "SEC speed," Jock Sanders might still be the fastest guy in that stadium Saturday night. What he can -- both on offense and, just as important in the return game -- will have a huge impact on WVU's chances.

Jockstrapsanders: Are you in Alabama already?

Colin Dunlap: No...leaving on a 7:15am flight tomorrow through Chicago. Staying in Birmingham tomorrow night. Going to the Hoover High School game tomorrow night (have an extra ticket if anyone wants to go) and then waking up early Sat. and driving down to Auburn.

IlikeWVU: Win SEC country = Heisman Hopeful for Brown ??

Colin Dunlap: Let us get to about Week 5 before the Heisman talk starts ... We will leave all the September Heisman talk for the talking heads on GameDay.

drew: Do you think Auburn will rush for more than 200 yards against WVU?

Colin Dunlap: Yes. But WVU might throw for 350.

Mike: There is a 50% chance of rain Saturday night. How much does a wet field help Auburn? I do understand they have a great horticultural program and take pride in a well-manicured, well-drained field.

Colin Dunlap: They have a great horticulture program? Good to know, maybe I can call one of those guys to come seed my yard. I have this bare spot that just will not take. In terms of the impact ... the field will be the same for both teams. Although I will say a downpour could go to be a little more of an advantage to Auburn, because their backs are bigger guys than Devine.

IlikeWVU: If you are going to Hoover can you give an update on John Propst ??

Colin Dunlap: Will do. Is he related to the old coach down there?

feverblisterWVU: Back to the kickoff changes, did WVU add beef to this unit as a "wedge buster", it seems the unit has been lacking a player or two with size that can consume the wedge?

Colin Dunlap: It is my understanding Ryan Clarke has been added to the unit.

IlikeWVU: Throw for 350 even in wet conditions??

Colin Dunlap: If it is not a downpour, yes. Remember, a lot of the stuff is swing passes, screens and short middle routes ... not huge downfield stuff. Those types of patterns are not impacted as much by the wet weather.

jack10: How would you grade our O-line play so far? I know they haven't given up a sack yet, but I think some of that can be attributed to Brown's legs and vision. Also, some of the running lanes haven't been as large as in previous years; is that a product of a more pass-first offense, or are they just young?

Colin Dunlap: Much better than anticipated. In particular, Don Barclay has been tremendous. Sure, some of it has to do with Jarrett Brown's escapability (is that a word?) much like Roethlisberger, but the line has been very good. I think you hit on something -- they need to get better in terms of run blocking, though.

wvu_boyds: Will Tavon Austin see more touches this year? I hate to waste a year if he doesn't get many touches because of Sanders in front of him...

Colin Dunlap: He will...he sure looked good running free behind that ECU secondary. I would look for him to certainly get more touches. He has sort of made a lot of people forget about Logan Heastie to a degree.

Chooch79: The Tiger's rushing attack looks very impressive. Do you see WV making any defensive scheme changes this week to try to slow down the running game?

Colin Dunlap: Not really. Remember, a lot of teams have to make changes to go against WVU's 3-man front...so, that said, the Auburn rushing attack is seeing something they have not seen either. Berry's injury looms very large.

WVUlaw82: Do you know of any tailgates at the Auburn game? I am going down from Charlotte.

Colin Dunlap: From what I understand, the big one is sold out, but I am sure they will not mind you milling around outside ... apparently the band and cheerleaders are going to be there ... it is run by some fella named Bill Toothman with the WVU Peach State Alumni chapter ... visit WVUpeach.com --- at least I think that's the address.

Chooch79: Any reason why WV never pursued Anthony Gonzalez?

Colin Dunlap: I do not know, perhaps it is a style thing. I know some people liked him and some didn't. Some liked him on offense, some on defense. I saw him against Bethel Park last year and the kid was a gamer, no doubt.

wvu_boyds: What are your thoughts of Taylor, I thought he played well in replacing Berry?

Colin Dunlap: That Josh Taylor played above average, better than expected out of him...remember, though, he's only like 270. If you are going to go "small" Iike bringing Goulboune off the edge as a better game plan. Guy is a monster.

Chooch79: What do you think about the newly proposed Yankee Bowl?

Colin Dunlap: Yuck. It will be 12degrees. And good luck trying to find a parking spot.

WVUDA: Luckily we got away with the 4 turnovers against ECU. Do you think the players will learn from them? The punt returners and Brown throwing late over the middle and dropping the ball! Sometimes he carries so loose I cant stand it! Turnovers are never good, but last week's may help us for this week ...

Colin Dunlap: Agree. As with anything in life, you learn from past mistakes. I think last week was a wonderful teaching tool because, as the Mountaineers move forward and play better teams, they understand those kinds of mistakes will be fatal -- in a football sense of course.

wvu_boyds: How will WVU do against Pitt and Cincy this year? Although its early, what are your thoughts?

Colin Dunlap: I said in the preseason and I am sticking to it --- I think both Pitt and WVU will go into the Backyard Brawl unbeaten in the conference.

WVUDA: I've seen spreads as high as -7.5 for Auburn. Are you surprised it's that high? I think the ESPN bias of plugging the SEC blinds the public. The SEC is the best conference overall, but WVU has the speed and it's the 2nd year in the offense. Auburn has talent, but I think Malzahn is using smoke and mirrors right now with this rushing attack. WVU plays the run well.

Colin Dunlap: It started lower than that, which means people (legally, at least) have been betting Auburn heavy. That is what made the line shoot up. My friend Beano Cook said this to me this morning when I asked him about the spread for this game, "The public is very often wrong...just look at congress." But, anyway, back to the answer -- Malzahn is a mastermind, guy invented the Wildcat. I think Casteel has his work cut out for him, but I am sure he will have a plan in place.

Colin Dunlap: OK, last one ... I have to eat some lunch.

WVUlaw82: The Mountaineers used some of the pistol against ECU. Will that continue?

Colin Dunlap: Yep. See my story Saturday. One of the reasons we will continue to see it is quite simple, as Jarrett Brown told me, "Noel likes it." And, hey, what Noel likes, Noel gets. Actually, I think if they use it correctly, the pistol is an offense that is designed precisely for a back like Noel, who keeps you guessing anyway, and if you can't overload a side with your backers, you could be in big trouble. Hey, great chat folks. I am going to get some lunch and then I have to be at the airport in what, like 3 hours? Thanks again. Look for the coverage this weekend and be certain to keep reading the blog.