WVU-UConn: Running Back Showdown Could Decide Big East

Maybe no one would have predicted it before the season began, but WVU’s noon game at UConn has turned out to be a showdown between two of the nation’s top 10 running backs. UConn’s Donald Brown is leading the nation, averaging 166 yards per game. Based on his past two games, WVU’s Noel Devine has vaulted into the nation’s No. 9 position, averaging 121 yards per game. So far, Brown has accumulated 1,324 yards to Devine’s 849 yards. Brown is a strong, fast back, but more of a power runner at 5'10", 208 pounds. He’s averaging 5.6 yards per carry. We know what kind of a back the small-and-strong Devine is; he’s averaging a whopping 7.4 yards per carry. Last year, in WVU’s 66-21 victory over UConn, the Mountaineers rushed for more than 500 yards against what was touted as a top defense. This year, UConn is allowing only 110 yards per game rushing, good for No. 26 nationally. (WVU, ranked No. 48, is allowing 123 yards per game.) At the ... (link)