William & Mary @ West Virginia preview

West Virginia looks to rebound from a disappointing 2012 when it hosts William & Mary on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. The Mountaineers were a chic pick to win the Big 12 before struggled mightily in their first year in the conference, losing six of their final eight games. Expectations are far lower this season, though, as West Virginia was voted to finish eighth in the Big 12 preseason media poll.

Coach Dana Holgorsen must find a way to replace the productivity of Geno Smith, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, who were selected in the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL draft. William & Mary coach Jimmye Laycock faces a herculean task in his 34th year at the helm. The FCS team almost upset Maryland in the 2012 opener but sputtered thereafter, finishing the season with five straight losses.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: West Virginia -32

ABOUT WILLIAM & MARY: (2012: 2-9, 1-7 Colonial Athletic): Junior wide receiver Tre McBride is back after leading the Tribe with 55 receptions for 897 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Senior safety Jerome Couplin III also returns after recording a team-high 91 tackles and three interceptions. Michael Graham was named the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game as Raphael Ortiz is still recovering from shoulder surgery.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (2012: 7-6, 4-5 Big 12): Junior running back Andrew Buie looks to build on his 851 rushing yards from 2012. Senior J.D. Woods is the team’s leading returning wide receiver and should improve on the 61 receptions and four touchdowns he recorded last season. Holgorsen has not yet decided publicly on a starting quarterback as Florida State transfer Clint Trickett and Paul Millard are battling for the job.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia is 15-0-1 all time against William & Mary.

2. This is the first meeting since 1972.

3. Four players from William & Mary have been drafted by NFL teams in the last four years.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 45, William & Mary 13