Colin Dunlap: Welcome to the first West Virginia football chat of the season. I see there are some questions already lined up, so let's go.

EERmanStan: How many points will WVU score against Marshall?

Colin Dunlap: Why have I been getting this question so much lately? There is a Coastal Carolina game yet to play. Well, considering you asked, I will answer --- after all, that is my function here. I will stick by the answer I've been going with. Because of some, well, um, bad blood, WVU will score 150 points if given the opportunity. That is really all that needs to be said.

Mike Jones: Should Noel get more carries?

Colin Dunlap: Perhaps...and I think he will. Last season, he got 241 carries which, to me, wasn't enough. Now, I know they do throw some swing passes to him and do some other things to get him the ball, but look for Noel to get some more carries. I'm thinking he gets in the neighborhood of 275 this season.

RickM: What do you think about Pitt tonight?

Colin Dunlap: I will tell you after the Pitt's first offensive series. I want to see Tino Sunseri command this team -- in a game situation -- before I draw a legitimate conclusion.

EERmanStan: How is JT Thomas injury?

Colin Dunlap: Great question ... you are a savvy man, Stan. To me, a neck injury -- which is what Thomas has -- isn't like a hand injury, an arm injury and ankle or something minor....this thing could linger, it really could. I have said, all along, that I think the best route to take is to ease him through the non-conference season with as few snaps as possible (except LSU) and have him full-bore (if you can) for Big East play.

Panther 1: I think the answer to Rick M should have been how is the WVU quarterback going to look!

Colin Dunlap: I don't know...it is a mystery. You never know how a first-year starter is going to look until the guy gets in there. Geno Smith played against Marshall last year. He played in the second half of the bowl game. Well, listen people, that is not like being the No. 1 guy -- not even close. Much of the success of this team rests on his right arm.

73mountie: Why is UConn the media's new darling and few if any sports writers have selected WVU to win the Big East

Colin Dunlap: Because their running back can really, really play...also, did you happen to catch the way the ended their season last year? Pretty impressive.

Panther 1: Why is it that WVU fans expect to be treated like royalty when they come to Heinz Field with a front row parking space and and maitr'd service but when Pitt fans go to Morgantown, they get pellted with beer bottles and nickles?

Colin Dunlap: Royalty at Heinz Field? Isn't Mr. Rooney, now that he is Ambassador to Ireland, the only true royalty at Heinz Field?

Musketman: A prediction against Coastal?

Colin Dunlap: A blowout. Oh, and they will get $350K for their troubles.

Musketman: Does the line concern you on offense?

Colin Dunlap: It should concern WVU fans, particularly the right side, yes. Unless that gets fixed, WVU could be in some trouble. To be very blunt, I am not sold on this unit if Cole Bowers needs to play a lot -- sorry, I just am not.

Panther 1: Do you like the mountaineer Nike Uniforms?

Colin Dunlap: I like the helmets more than the uniforms. Seems NIKE got what they wanted yesterday, though, huh? Everyone, for at least a few hours, sort of forgot there was a football game this week and wanted to talk about uniforms --- that won't be worn until Thanksgiving. Let me ask, what did nice uniforms get those terrible Miami teams a few years ago? Nothing. It is what is inside that counts.

Musketman: Hey Colin, great coverage. I think you are the best beat writer who covers the team. What other beat guys do you hang out with? I always wondered what the relationship was between the guys who cover a team.

Colin Dunlap: Thanks for the kind words. I hang out on the road with Mike Casazza of the Charleston Daily Mail...Shenanigans, pure shenanigans. Ask him about the time we made it 22 miles in 12 minutes once to barely make the start of Florida State practice...then wrote our stories and then had at least 44, um, Lemonades, that night.

MTNeeeeeeeeeeeer: Can Coastal Carolina beat this WVU team?

Colin Dunlap: If they stop and pick up 50 North Carolina and Virginia Tech players on the way, yes.

Roarp: West Virginia's record?

Colin Dunlap: 0-0. Oh, you mean at the end of the regular season? 10-2...or 9-3.

MTNeeeeer: Who is the best player on the defense?

Colin Dunlap: Seems everyone wants to say Robert Sands. If you want that pick, I'll go with it -- wouldn't argue. But, if I can't go with him, I'd take NT Chris Neild and not be too worried about him being a second choice. I think, in the right 3-4 system, he can be a very good pro player. I like the way the guy goes about his business. He might not make a ton of tackles, but he is a big time disruptor.

Thursday September 2, 2010 1:28 Colin Dunlap

1:28

Panther 1: Tell mtneeeeeeeeeeeeeee to remember about 2 or 3 years ago: Appalachian State over a pretty good Michigan team with Jake Long and Mike Hart at the Big House No Less! Another mountaineer upset?

Colin Dunlap: Not seeing it...this Coastal team was 5-6 last year. That Appy State program is annually among the finest.

Mike Jones: Is Bill stewart in jeopardy of being fired?

Colin Dunlap: If he doesn't win -- let me clarify that, if the team doesn't win -- 10 games, there will be rumblings. Fair or unfair, that will be the case. It will be intriguing to see what happens. For my money, Bill Stewart is the right man for the West Virginia job -- first class in every regard and 19-8 isn't bad. It isn't lights out, but it isn't bad. I challenge you to do this: Go look at what some high-profile guys did in their first two seasons at BCS schools and get back to me --- you will be astounded who wasn't anywhere near 19-8.

Greg: With Coley White rated better than his brother Pat @ QB, isn't it a waste of his talent to be at WR ?

Colin Dunlap: Coley White isn't better than Geno Smith. He isn't better than Barry Brunetti, either. As for Jeremy Johnson, I don't know. But, what would you rather do -- be the third QB, or go help the team at WR? Remember, Coley consulted with Jeff Mullen and wanted to move positions. Also, you say "rated." By whom? Some people on a recruiting service who hand out arbitrary stars. What was Dan Mozes' "star rating" again? What was Steve Slaton's "star rating? Owen Schmitt's?

Musketman: Who are some surprise players for WVU?

Colin Dunlap: Don't chuckle, but this punter and kickoff guy, Corey Smith could make a huge difference this year...huge difference. Then there's Bruce Irvin. He is intriguing, but I wonder if he is a little light in the seat, even though many, many people have spoken of his pass-rush skills. I saw Don Barclay put him in the dirt a few times in drills. Also, watch out for Matt Lindamood and Branko Busick -- two young kids who have to find their way onto the field.

Roarp: What do you see from Tavon Austin?

Colin Dunlap: A kid who can fly, absolutely fly. I think he has the potential this year to be the second leading receiver --- after Jock Sanders.

Panther 1: Noel Devine or Dion Lewis?

Colin Dunlap: Lewis inside, Devine outside.

curiouseer: If there is any FACT behind WVU being reported to the NCAA by anyone(Marshall as you hinted)or is that just an internet rumor? Where are the facts?

Colin Dunlap: From the Charleston Daily Mail: "The Daily Mail also learned Tuesday at least one school was looking into the possibility of reporting WVU. The Mountaineer program has decided to self-report the violation."

Dominic F.: How big are you?

Colin Dunlap: Bigger than Mickey Furfari, not as big as Quinton Spain.

29outsidesmash: Colin I see a mix of flowery and critical assessments of Stew past/present and I know that comes with the territory here, but what's the right read and is there an example?

Colin Dunlap: Can you clarify a bit more? I said that Bill could be in a bit of trouble if he doesn't win 10...and there is proof in that he doesn't have everyone on his side if he hasn't received that extension yet. But, if you look at his body of work, 19-8 is something a whole lot of coaches would take in their first two years at a BCS program. I don't think there is much muddy in that answer. I think the guy has done pretty well. Heck, WVU has not finished lower than second in the conference with him, have they?

Mike K: I was looking at Fox sports top 50 game changing players and Noel Devine wasn't even listed can you believe that?

Colin Dunlap: Did not see the list, but hard to believe.

Colin Dunlap: Alright folks....that looks good....seriously this time.

Remember a few things:

- Chat is every week; same place, same time -- right here at 1 p.m.

- Game is 3:30 on Saturday v. Coastal Carolina.

- Keep checking 'Eers to the Ground blog here on post-gazette.com

I have been, and will be, updating it more than ever.

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