West Virginia Mountaineers 2009 College Football Predictions - 2010 BCS Odds: West Virginia will lineup without some key players fans have become so accustomed to seeing the past few years most notably quarterback Patrick White who has moved on to the Miami Dolphins in the NFL. Regardless, Coach Bill Stewart welcomes back eight starters on defense, including veteran middle linebacker Reed Williams, and has one of nation’s most explosive offensive players in running back Noel Devine. The Mountaineers have been picked to finish second in a poll of media pundits who cover Big East Conference football.

Oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog.com list West Virginia's odds of winning the 2010 BCS Championship at 55-to-1.

Stewart, in his second year, welcomes the return of 35 lettermen skewed heavily toward a defense that will bring back eight starters from the ’08 team that won nine games and defeated North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Williams is healthy and primed to lead a stingy defensive unit that finished 11th in the nation in points allowed giving up just 16.2 points per game.

There are several quality players surrounding Williams that will also looked upon to be leaders. Junior nose tackle Chris Neild (6-2, 298) had a strong sophomore campaign in 2008 and is expected to give the Mountaineers a stout run stopper in the middle. Junior defensive tackle Scooter Berry (6-1, 294) and sophomore defensive end Julian Miller (6-4, 251) came out of the spring at the top of the depth chart at their positions, giving West Virginia a pretty formidable front three.

The offense will revolve around the play of senior quarterback Jarrett Brown (6-4, 223), who spent the previous three years backing up Pat White.

Brown saw action in nine games last year as a junior, including one start against Syracuse. The West Palm Beach, Fla., resident completed 22 of 30 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. For his career, Brown shows 81 completions in 125 attempts for 839 yards and five touchdowns.

Stewart is hopeful that Brown can step up and lead the offense in 2009.

Devine (5-8, 176) is the team’s top returning offensive player. The Ft. Myers, Fla., resident ran for 1,289 yards and scored four touchdowns as a sophomore in 2008. He also caught 35 passes for an additional 185 yards.

West Virginia has a pair of quality fullbacks in redshirt freshman Ryan Clarke (6-0, 228) and sophomore Ricky Kovatch (6-1, 230), with senior Max Anderson (6-0, 235) also providing support.

The team’s top two tight ends heading into camp are sophomore Tyler Urban (6-5, 244) and junior Will Johnson (6-2, 232). Senior Scott Loving (6-2, 222) will also get tight end reps.

The wide receiver corps boasts size and playmaking ability with four players standing 6-feet-2 or taller. Alric Arnett (6-2, 189) had two touchdown catches in the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl, and finished the year with 35 receptions for 466 yards and six touchdowns.