Georgia State @ West Virginia preview

The West Virginia Mountaineers have searched through two games to get their offense on track, leading coach Dana Holgorsen to reopen the team’s quarterback competition. The Mountaineers figure to have plenty of scoring chances Saturday when they host Georgia State, which has allowed 73 points in losses to Samford and Chattanooga. West Virginia’s offense is superior to either team the Panthers have faced, but the Mountaineers scored found the end zone just once and committed four turnovers in a 16-7 at Oklahoma last week.

West Virginia junior quarterback Paul Millard finished 21-for-41 against the Sooners for 218 yards, and Holgorsen said junior Clint Trickett and freshman Ford Childress would get plenty of reps in practice this week before one of the trio is named the starter for Saturday. The Mountaineers have reason to be encouraged about their defense, which held the Sooners to just one touchdown. Georgia State, which is in its first season in the FBS, also may be changing quarterbacks after Ben McLane relieved fellow sophomore Ronnie Bell and threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter against Chattanooga.

TV: Noon ET, Root Sports. LINE: West Virginia, -38.5

ABOUT GEORGIA STATE (0-2): The big problem for the Panthers through two games has been putting their offensive and defensive production together. Georgia State held Samford to 298 total yards in the opener while Bell passed for 391 yards and three touchdowns, but surrendered 509 yards last week while its offense sputtered. Regardless of who plays quarterback, the Panthers will look to throw - having rushed for only 102 yards total in the first two contests.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (1-1): The Mountaineers’ defense has given up three touchdowns and 33 total points through two games while forcing five turnovers. Sophomore linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski recorded 11 tackles at Oklahoma and led West Virginia with seven tackles against William & Mary. Junior Dreamius Smith scored the Mountaineers’ lone touchdown last week on a 75-yard run midway through the first quarter.

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia sophomore P Nick O’Toole leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally at 47.5 yards per punt.

2. The Mountaineers are 54-13 at home since 2003.

3. Georgia State is in its fourth year of football, its first under Trent Miles after Bill Curry retired.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 57, Georgia State 7