Marshall @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2011 ) Marshall 13, West Virginia 34

West Virginia opens up its debut season in the Big 12 by hosting in-state rival Marshall in the Friends of Coal Bowl. The Mountaineers open the season ranked 11th in the nation under second-year head coach Dana Holgorsen and look to build on their first 10-win season since 2007. Senior quarterback Geno Smith enters his third season as the starter, fresh off a record-setting 2011 campaign capped by a 37-point mauling of Clemson in the Orange Bowl. Sophomore quarterback Rakeem Cato leads a Marshall passing attack that returns four of its top five wide receivers from a season ago.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, FX LINE: West Virginia -24.5

ABOUT MARSHALL (2011 record: 7-6, 5-3 C-USA): The Thundering Herd struggled offensively a year ago, finishing near the bottom of the FBS in several categories. They’ll look to the continued development of Cato under center for an increase in offensive production. Cato's chemistry with senior wideout Aaron Dobson -- whose 12 touchdown catches tied for second in the conference last year -- will be key.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (2011 record:10-3, 5-2 Big East): The Mountaineers believe they have legitimate title hopes in their first season of Big 12 competition and enter 2012 with a 9-4 record all-time against current conference foes. Under Holgorsen’s spread offense, West Virginia set school records for passing yards in a season (4,509) in 2011 and ranked sixth in the nation in passing yards per game. The Mountaineers will look for similar output through the air once again with Smith targeting receiving standouts Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, who combined for 12 100-yard games last year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia has won all 11 meetings against Marshall, including a weather-shortened 34-13 decision last year.

2. The Herd has not defeated a ranked opponent since a win over No. 6 Kansas in 2003, a span of 13 consecutive losses.

3. The Mountaineers have won eight straight home openers at Milan Puskar Stadium, by an average margin of nearly 28 points.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 31, Marshall 10