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Rich Rodriguez said West Virginia's largely new offensive line has generally played well and is moving toward having 10 or 11 players the staff trusts, above his preferred minimum of eight. He described no fixed rotation plan, so the comments indicate developing depth rather than a settled substitution schedule.
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Rodriguez said Chris Talley remains out and might need another week or two. He is hopeful receiver Prince Strachan can play if practice goes well, valuing his size outside. Those are tentative recovery and participation expectations, not clearance for either player.
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JaCorey Thomas had a hearing scheduled for Thursday, with Rodriguez saying the team might learn more then. The Tuesday interview provides no ruling or confirmed availability change.
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Despite shutting out UT Martin, Rodriguez said West Virginia's defense fell short of its capability and allowed some big plays through containment errors. Block shedding and tackling are priorities against Virginia's downhill rushing approach and physical running quarterback Beau Pribula.
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Rodriguez expressed confidence in Michael Hawkins' passing decisions and said West Virginia practices concepts it has not yet called. The staff can expand the offense as Hawkins gains experience, but Rodriguez stressed limiting the plan to plays the team can execute rather than overloading it.