Colin Dunlap: YOU. ARE. LOOKING. LIVE ...... at the weekly, 2 p.m. West Virginia University Mountaineers football chat. Coming to you on a splendid autumnal day from Pittsburgh's northern suburbs. So, what do you say we get started with this rapid-fire, question and answer session.

Commission-eer: Did you think the hit on Jarrett Brown was "dirty" in any way?

Colin Dunlap: I do not. I don't think there was intent to harm. I think Jarrett was in a strange position, as -- and you will read this in tomorrow's PG -- he told me he was in the midst of just about getting ready to get down. So, he was slowing his energy down, about to start to first portions of a slide and the Marshall guy came out of his vision and got him with a good one. Long and short of it, I think Jarrett was a victim of circumstance, not of a dirty play.

Trueeer: There is a rumor that Chris Neild is going pro. Any truth?

Colin Dunlap: Not that I know of. I spoke to Chris, at length, last week for a piece. Also spoke to his father, Robert, who is true gentleman. Neither mentioned to me that coming out after this season was in the cards. Chris is a fabulous football player who, in my estimation, has been the defensive MVP to this point this year. That said, I don't think leaving early for the NFL would be the wisest choice, as he isn't really a protypical NFL nose guy right now.

WVMule: Please give us the 411 on Scooter! How much "retribution" does Scoooter need to do before he's allowed back on the field?

Colin Dunlap: Here's how I think it will shake down: Scooter will knock these charges down to where he will have to do community service for them -- and rightly so, he acted like a knucklehead (if everything in the police report is factual). Then, he will practice for a week or two before Bill Stewart lets him play in a game and go through full team exercises. I would venture this guess, we will see Scooter again this season; the earliest would be the Backyard Brawl, the latest would be the Bowl game.

Trueeer: What did you think of Marshall's TE?

Colin Dunlap: Stud. NFL guy, without question. But, in saying that, it was obvious that Jeff Casteel and the West Virginia defensive staff identified the Marshall TE last week as the one guy who could really hurt them. They let him run underneath all game, catching a bunch of stuff between 4-11 yards and never let him get loose vertically. It was kind of like saying, "OK, you can have that slant, or that crossing route ALL DAY, go ahead" but you are not beating us over the top. WVU's game plan was stellar -- it was easy to see they weren't going to let the TE hit a big play, and they didn't.

Commission-eer: Who would you pick as the MVP of the offense thus far?

Colin Dunlap: Good question. Even with the performance at Auburn being not very good, probably Jarrett Brown, considering all that he had to step into. He was a guy who had a lot on his shoulders, a ton on his shoulders. Noel Devine would be a close second with Jock Sanders right there at third. A darkhorse? Don Barclay. I have been telling anyone who will listen he is having as solid a year as any LT in the conference.

WVMule: The UConn game scares me...it seems a lose-lose situation for WVU. We win and beat a greiving UConn. We lose against a fired up UConn team when Stew has been preaching restraint and we're done. Why wasn't this game postponed?

Colin Dunlap: This is something that rankles me, seriously. Apparently there was something written in one of the West Virginia papers hammering the WVU athletic department for not calling this game off. Want to know why the game is still on? Here's why: BECAUSE UConn WANTED TO PLAY!!! That's why. It is my understanding, after the tragic and horrible event with Jasper Howard, West Virginia went to the conference and Connecticut and pretty much said, "we will respect ANY wishes you have" in regards to a postponement in the game. After a consultation, the UConn people quickly deemed the best thing for the grieving process was to play, they wanted to play this game and West Virginia obviously granted that wish. So, all that said, anyone who is giving WVU grief for playing this game might want to do a little reporting or research before pointing fingers.

HomerWV: Will Jarrett Brown play vs. UCONN?

Colin Dunlap: My opinion: Absolutely, no question at all Jarrett Brown WILL play.

Commission-eer: Who would you pick as the defensive MVP thus far?

Colin Dunlap: Neild.

WVMule: I almost hate to ask this questions but does WVU take advantage of UConn's tragedy by going after UConn's defense where they are, there isn't any tactful way to ask this, short?

Colin Dunlap: That is a delicate yet topical question. As awful as this situation is, there is a practical application that will come as a result of the death of Jasper Howard. That practical application is that a backup must now take his place. What also moves forward is a football season and the goal of each team to win as many games as possible. If WVU feels as if the backup, now a starter, is a weak link, then they will go after him, yes. Remember, after the ceremony and handshake, once the ball is kicked, everyone needs to remember this football game will become a competition with a lot at stake.

Let_s_Gooooooooooooo: Great story on the Duquesne basketball team and UConn football team coping with tragedy. Did you know Duquesne basketball coach is from West Virginia?

Colin Dunlap: Thanks for the kind words on the story. And, yes, Ron Everhart is from Fairmont. He knows coach Stewart and coach Huggins well. Also, Ron is a huge WVU football fan. I was in Ron's office for about an hour the other day and I'd bet half the time we talked he was asking me WVU football questions --- guy is a big-time WVU football fan.

Chooch79: Will we see more of Geno in a limited QB role the remainder of the season, even if JB is healthy?

Colin Dunlap: Good question. I'd say Geno, when Jarrett Brown is healthy, will revert back to being a backup. If there are any "special" packages or trick things going on, look for Starks to be the QB in those situations.

WVMule: What about the big boy Ryan Clarke?

Colin Dunlap: Sorry, my attention was diverted. The next door neighbor is now cranking up his leaf blower at 432875834259239 decibels for some reason. Anyhow, back to the questions -- Ryan Clarke. He had a pinched nerve in his neck. Saw him Tuesday night and asked how he was. he told me "I'm good." I'd say he's a go for Saturday.

WVMule: Do you get to cover WVU BB too? If so lucky you.

Colin Dunlap: Not so much. I cover Duquesne basketball. WVU will be very good this year in men's basketball. We don't cover the Mountaineers in a "beat" in basketball, but because they will be a top 10 team this year, i would venture you might see Paul Zeise down there a time or two this season.

HomerWV: Is Jock Sanders an NFL player?

Colin Dunlap: Great question. It has been my contention, all along, that Jock will get a shot, because he can play in the slot, return kicks and punts. Also, with that roster being thin in the NFL, he's the type of guy who could probably play on a kickoff and punt coverage unit ... I would almost guarantee he's in a camp.

pgheer: Sorry Colin of already asked but realistically what's your guess on the length of Scooter's suspension? I say no more than 2 games maybe 1.

Colin Dunlap: Check above for the full answer ... I'd say earliest he's back is Pitt; latest is the Bowl game.

Robert: Colin - In regards to your comments regarding Don Nehlen. While WVU fans respect him for building the program, the program only finished ranked in the final AP top 20 poll ONCE in his last 11 years as coach. That is the mediocrity that the fans do not want this program to slide into. (BTW, I don't think Stew is the second coming of Nehlen. Nehlen never recruited this good and he never won bowl games)

Colin Dunlap: Don Nehlen is a legend -- treat him as such. Again, he did something Rich Rodriguez never did: He played in a game in which the national championship was decided.

Chooch79: Is WVU planning any special tribute for Howard prior to the game on Saturday?

Colin Dunlap: Yes. A helmet sticker with his No. 6. A pregame moment of silence. A pregame handshake between the two teams.

WVMule: I disagree about Scooter...disorderly conduct isn't that bad..he sits against UConn and maybe USF but fore sure he plays against the Bearcats.

Colin Dunlap: remember, he's dealing with injuries, too. Also, in reading the report, he was asked to disperse numerous times and failed to do so. Remember, Bill Stewart is an old-school, hard-liner.

WVMule: What's your call on the Pitt - USF game? As a WVU guy I want to see USF beat sPitt like a drum then take a beating next friday night.

Colin Dunlap: Pitt 27, USF 20

Trueeer: Who is the best reporter you know? Also, is it different covering the Mountaineers being that the other guys are from the state of West Virginia?

Colin Dunlap: Best reporter? Dejan Kovacevic, who covers the Pirates for us. Guy never sleeps, and NEVER gets beat on a story. It is a little different for me, being that I am out of state. Remember, I am also the guy from the largest circulation who covers the Mountaineers, too. I hang out with the guys who I know are good reporters on that beat -- Dave Hickman, Mike Cassazza and Bob Hertzel -- all are pros. Also, Drew Rubenstein in Morgantown, at the Dominion Post, is a young guy who is very thorough in what he does.

Colin Dunlap: there are a ton of questions in here --- I'll answer like 3 more.

EERman: CD- why do you have a dislike for the recruiting web sites so much?

Colin Dunlap: I don't hate recruiting web sites. I just dislike "reporters" who use the terms "us" and "we" when they are covering a team. Again, as reporters, WE are part of the media, WE are NOT part of the team.

EERman: What is your predicton for the WVU-UCONN game?

Colin Dunlap: I'm going with WVU 28, UConn 16

Colin Dunlap: Alrighty, one more.

WVMule: Are teams still scheming to stop WVU's run first or are they paying more attention to the passing game?

Colin Dunlap: I think teams that oppose West Virginia, from a defensive sense, have to now concentrate on being split in what they do. The days of the opposition putting 8 guys in the box, spying the quarterback with one of them and selling out the other 7 are over. So, the defenses are now concentrating not more, but just as much, on the run. Alright folks, thanks for all the questions. Now, I have to get outside and see why the guy next door, who has like two trees that are a combined 7 feet tall, feels the need to have a 500cc leaf blower strapped to his back. Until next week -- see you. And by the way, you can always email me at cdunlap@post-gazette.com and don't forget to take part in the Q&A, you can drop questions in there at anytime.

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