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Andrew Corbett identifies Troy transfer DJ Epps as Michael Hawkins' emerging go-to receiver: through two games, Epps caught all five targets for 148 yards and a touchdown. Corbett highlights his zone awareness, reliable hands and yards after the catch, while treating the early role as evidence to watch rather than an established high-volume passing attack.
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Hawkins leads WVU with 206 rushing yards, 7.6 per carry and three rushing touchdowns; the report credits him with 10 forced missed tackles. His passing has been accurate but limited to 21 attempts against lesser opposition and simple reads. Handling pressure against Virginia remains an untested part of the quarterback evaluation.
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Corbett describes Rich Rodriguez's offense as a fast, predominantly zone-based rushing attack built around Hawkins and Cam Cook. Inside zone, split zone with an H-back crossing the formation, attached read options, designed quarterback counters and quick RPOs are the central concepts; the opening-game calls have remained fairly basic.
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Corbett warns that UT Martin's zero offensive points masked successful drives, explosives and red-zone access spoiled by turnovers and a missed field goal. Coastal Carolina also passed for nearly 400 yards in the opener. He identifies secondary communication and overly complicated defensive calls as concerns, rather than treating the shutout as proof of strong defense.
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Corbett favors Virginia's more experienced offensive front and a defense already tested against ACC opposition over WVU's current defensive performance. His stated forecast is Virginia 34, West Virginia 21. This is the reporter's matchup prediction, not a sportsbook spread or a confirmed betting recommendation.