Colin Dunlap: YOU. ARE. LOOKING. LIVE. at the Tampa Westshore Marriott. The scene of today's chat. Made it down here alright, saw a bunch of people decked out in West Virginia gear on the plane ride down and now, in the hotel. Waited about 2816923562 minutes for a rental car, but I'm not complaining, the weather is fabulous. There are people in the outdoor pool just below my room ... alrighty -- what do you say we get going. Shoot!

WVMule: Stew said last night that JB wasn't 100% last week. Is JB healthy for USF?

Colin Dunlap: Yep ... 100 percent so.

intrepid: " West Virginia has an unbelievably weak schedule " said an ESPN host last weekend -- is that a general consensus of others in the media?

Colin Dunlap: I don't know if "unbelievably" is on target. Seems to me, bringing in a Big 12 school, then going down to an SEC school, at night, provides two solid out-of-conference games that, at least when they were scheduled, looked darn good. Also, ask Joe Manchin -- or better yet Chuck Landon -- about one of the other ones, as the Gov. kind of makes WVU play that one, so it is out of their hands. After that, ECU is a decent middle-of-the road I-A school and Liberty is as good of a I-AA as you are going to find ... so, it isn't the strongest slate in the land, but far from the weakest as well.

CanU_EER_me_: Colin, there have been a lot of stories written about the USF defensive ends. are they really THAT good? What did Pitt do to stop them?

Colin Dunlap: Don Barclay said it best in my story this morning ... Pitt just flat-out took it to them. The Panthers didn't wait and react, they went after Pierre-Paul and Selvie, going hard at them, rather than being reactionary. WVU, if successful, will need to employ the same tactic.

Flying_W-V: Will the heat affect West Virginia in Tampa

Colin Dunlap: Very astute question and one facet of the game I was thinking about when I got off the plane. WVU has not seen heat like this -- it should be around 80 for kickoff -- in awhile. Dave Kerns, and the Mountaineers training staff will have their work cut out for them. Cramping generally isn't an issue into October, but it could be tomorrow night. ALso, USF has practiced in this heat, WVU has not --- keep an eye on the heat, it could serve to be a factor.

CanU_EER_me_: CD- A prediction for tomorrow night's game?

Colin Dunlap: A lot of fans are thinking WVU will roll past USF ... not me. I am of the opinion the mountaineers will win, but will win a close one. I'm going with WVU 28-24 or 27-21 ... something like that.

WVMule: So if JB wasn't healthy last week why didn't we see Geno?

Colin Dunlap: At this point in both of their careers, an 80percent Jarrett Brown -- because he's a senior and has experience -- gives WVU a better chance to win than a 100 percent Geno Smith. Just the truth at this point. In time, Smith will grow into a tremendous football player -- but he's just a freshman.

WVUer21: Colin, do you think WVU will have any special blitz packages tomorrow in order to help the secondary and especially since Daniels is young?

Colin Dunlap: Ab-so-lutely. They will put the heat on Daniels. Look for JT Thomas to come up time and time again. He's the guy I think could have a monster, monster game.

mud: Will WVU be able to run the ball consistently on USF especially inside?

Colin Dunlap: That is a good question. A lot of attention will be paid to the outside guys (selvie and pierre-paul), so one would think Jobe and Madsen could make some hay against the USF interior guys. We will see. I know this: WVU, and Jeff Mullen in particular, will pay attention to where those two fabulous D-Ends are, but they will not deviate their gameplan to a huge degree just because they are facing those guys. In short, WVU will do what they do.

WVMule: I take issue with anyone from ESPN complaining about our schedule when teams like Va Tech & Virginia refuse to play us. Maybe ESPN could help WVU out and schedule one of those Thursday night games with Tenn., VA Tech, VA, Kentucky or Penn State. Or the dream matchup Michigan at WVU!!!!

Colin Dunlap: Why would they want to play Michigan? Is there some connection with the coaches or something?

SDWC: Do you think USF will bounce back with a strong game against West Virginia?

Colin Dunlap: I think they will be better than they have been the past two weeks. I am of the opinion they will not be good enough to beat WVU though ... good enough to scare the heck out of the Mountaineers? Yes. Beat them? No.

DonNehlensghost: Will Jeff Mullen continue to use Ryan Clarke and Tyler Urban?'

Colin Dunlap: If personnel merits that power package, yes. Look for them in this game quite a bit, because USF is one of the teams that can run, speedwise, with the Mountaineers a little bit. Can the muscle with them? I don't know. That's why you might see the FB and TE more.

mtneers: what is up with the WVU pass coverage? did you hear Stew last night on his statewide radio show?

Colin Dunlap: I have received about 12 emails about this..my blackberry was humming with it when I stepped off the plane. From what I can gather, some guy called Stew's radio show last night and went on and on and on about how good VTech's passing defense, and overall defense is. Stew was cool with it at first, but the guy wouldn't quit. Finally, Stew "politely" kind of went to the next caller. And, to your question, the pass coverage needs to get better, but I think the issue has been very overblown.

Ryan: I think Syracuse will scare Cincy this week, even though no one else does. I also think UConn knocks Cincy off before the WVU game. How good would a Backyard Brawl for the Big East title be for the Big East?

Colin Dunlap: If a Backyard Brawl happens with both teams going in undefeated in the league, this reporter will pat himself on the back. Remember -- and yes, I am bragging -- it was ME who said, before a ball was kicked off this year, that both Pitt and WVU would be unbeaten (in conference play) going into the Backyard Brawl. A lot still needs to happen ... but we are getting closer.

intrepid: What say you today re WVU vs Pitt and who would be favored ?

Colin Dunlap: Pitt -2.5 That means WVU would be a home underdog ... ask Beano Cook about home dogs.

MoTown_throwdown: is Jock Sanders underappreciated?

Colin Dunlap: Tremendously. Guy should have been on the watch list for the Biletnikoff. He's a little guy who runs tough routes across the middle, I think he leads the conference in catches and he is a better blocker than anyone gives him credit for. Not saying he should have been one of the 10 finalists for the award, but he should have been on the initial list.

Commissioneer: Would you consider the Brandon Hogan move to defense a success or failure?

Colin Dunlap: Success. Did you watch the Marshall game?

Commissioneer: Any new wrinkles in the offensive scheme for USF tomorrow? Probably difficult to add much during a short week.

Colin Dunlap: I would look for the return of the middle screen ... also, don't count out that old Don Nehlen sprint draw to keep those DEnds honest.

wvuhomer: how undervalued has scott kozlowski been in the field position battle?

Colin Dunlap: Very much so. Just a guess here, he will have to hit a punt of big consequence tomorrow night.

Colin Dunlap: Alright ... got time for about 2 more.

intrepid: Pitt would be a favorite if both unbeaten -- your opinion

Colin Dunlap: Yes, I say Pitt would be favored anywhere from 2 to 3 points. My opinion? Let me see WVU play USF and especially Cincinnati first.

Commissioneer: It seems that Pitt has shown the way to beat USF ... run directly at them. Would you agree?

Colin Dunlap: Yep. That would be one way ... if you spend too much time running away from Selvie and Pierre-Paul, you get away from your gameplan.

wvuhomer: i liked what anthony leonard did against uconn. does he get significant playing time against usf?

Colin Dunlap: If reed williams is limited, yes ... a guess here without any word from the medical staff -- redd williams will be limited. I don't know to what degree, but don't bet on him being 100 percent.

MoTown_throwdown: I don't like Friday night games. I don't think WVU should play in them because they are a slap in the face to high school games.

Colin Dunlap: Well ... then pick up Friday's Post-Gazette --- you must have a crystal ball. There is a story in it, written by some idiot, where this is one component to a bigger topic. Alright, thanks all --- just got a text from someone on staff w/ the program. It is 2:35 and the WVU Mountaineers have landed. They are in Tampa. I have to run, have some things to do. have a great night --- kickoff, 8pm tomorrow.

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