MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Maybe this isn't much of a litmus test for eighth-ranked West Virginia's overhauled defense.

For one, Villanova is a Division I-AA foe (ranked 19th) but still considered thinner, smaller, slightly slower competition. And Villanova deploys the same spread offense that coordinator Jeff Mullen brought with him to West Virginia from Wake Forest, so it ought to look familiar.

Still, it is an offense against which the new defensive starters and a host of young, inexperienced reserves can begin to measure themselves beginning at 3:35 p.m. today on Mountaineer Field.

"Replacing seven starters, replacing everybody in the back end [except bandit safety Quinton Andrews] and a couple of really good players up front [in Keilen Dykes and Johnny Dingle] ..." defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel said, lamenting the number of standouts who have graduated. "We'll find out."

A definitive answer might not be found today against the Wildcats, who have scored more than two touchdowns against only two major-college teams in a dozen games since 1988 -- Rutgers twice (28 and 21 points in losses and 37 in a victory) and Pitt once (41 in a loss in 1998). Nevertheless, this season opener provides a dress rehearsal for five first-time starters and five key Mountaineers backups who never have played a college down on defense.

"It's just a matter of them going out and doing it with the scoreboard on and the stands full," Casteel said.

Against Villanova, which never has played in front of a crowd bigger than 50,409 in a 1999 loss at Air Force, such a stage as 60,000-seat Mountaineer Field -- with home fans ready to cheer something positive after an arduous eight-month offseason filled with a lawsuit, posturing, player suspensions and all -- could play in the home defense's favor.

"West Virginia will probably be the toughest [stadium] we've been in," said Villanova coach Andy Talley. "Our players really understand we're in harm's way in this game. It's David-Goliath kind of thing."

Matchup: West Virginia (11-2 last year) vs. Villanova (7-4), 3:35 p.m. today, Mountaineer Field, Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, W.Va. No line.

TV/Radio: WPCW (Pittsburgh CW); WWVA-AM (1170) and Mountaineer Sports Network, including www.MSNsportsnet.comand Sirius Channel 123.

Villanova: Wildcats have beaten Big East foes before, Rutgers (37-19) in 2002 and Temple (23-20) in 2003. ... QB Antwon Young completing comeback from ACL surgery that ended 2007 season after six games. ... Staff picked up spread-offense tips from WVU coordinator Jeff Mullen, then at Wake Forest. ... Chartiers Valley's Ross Ventrone starts at free safety.

West Virginia: Remodeled offense makes its debut under guidance of veteran QB Patrick White. ... Beyond TB Noel Devine, receivers Jock Sanders and Alric Arnett and tight ends are expected to contribute to offense.

Hidden stat: Last time in Mountaineer Field (1977), Villanova won, 41-36.