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West Virginia's
Pat White entered the game as the Heisman hopeful and maestro of the spread-option offense, but it was East Carolina's
Patrick Pinkney who looked like one of the country's best quarterbacks.
At 6 foot, Pinkney was either ignored by other Division I schools or was asked to play defense. Former East Carolina coach John Thompson didn't do much right in his tenure, but he left Skip Holtz with a gamer.
If West Virginia fans are not familiar with the cautionary tale of former North Carolina coach
CarlTorbush, take note – this is what happens when you promote the popular assistant coach.
The most painful aspect for the West Virginia fans is to know how close they were to a national title under former coach Rich Rodriguez and how long they will have to wait to climb that high again.
West Virginia sparked the national spread-option craze but without at least three viable, threats – the Mountaineers had five in 2007 – the offense becomes too predictable and breaks down to a naked dive play without the benefit of a lead block from a fullback.
East Carolina, on the other hand, has the right idea, using both the spread and I-formations, to keep defenses off balance.
