It's a pretty convincing argument too...

The Daily Athenaeum Wrote:Geno best in Big East
By Brian Gawthrop
Published: Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 00:09

They said there was no standout quarterback in the Big East Conference.

There weren’t going to be any signal callers worth mentioning.

No, with just two returning starters who were both freshmen, the Big East was supposed to be focused on running backs named Noel Devine, Dion Lewis, Jordan Todman and maybe even Joe Martinek and Bilal Powell.

Geno Smith hasn’t listened. In a conference full of solid skill players at every position but quarterback, Smith has set himself apart as the best quarterback in the league.

Hands down.

We’re just two weeks into the 2010 season, but Smith already leads the Big East in pass efficiency (145.3), total offense (275.5 yards per game), passing yards (266 yards per game) completion percentage (72.2 percent), and is tied for the league lead with three passing touchdowns.

He leads those categories by a long shot. It’s really not even close.

In fact, combine the completions of Rutgers’ Tom Savage and South Florida’s B.J. Daniels’ – the two quarterbacks with the most experience entering the season – and they fall 11 short of Smith’s 52 completions.

Not impressed?

How about the fact that there are only five quarterbacks in the nation who attempted at least 45 passes and have a better completion percentage than the West Virginia sophomore?

With that same prerequisite, Smith is 11th nationally in completions per game, 22nd in passing yards per game and 25th in total offense.

His 32 completions against Marshall Friday tied for the third-most by a WVU quarterback in program history, while he’s on pace to finish second behind only Marc Bulger for completions and pass yards in a season.

Still, the statistics hide how impressive Smith has been. From his pocket presence, arm strength and composure, Smith has been nearly perfect.

And who could forget the way he took charge and led WVU on its final two possessions in regulation Friday against Marshall? He led consecutive drives of 96 and 98 yards to overcome a 15-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.

If one didn’t know better, it was like Smith was playing a video game.

"I never really feel pressure," Smith said after the game.

Smith isn’t being arrogant, either. He’s just stating a fact. Ask his teammates, his coaches or, most of all, ask Marshall.

He has handled the task of being the Mountaineers’ starting quarterback like a seasoned veteran. He leads both vocally and by example, he’s consistent, and he’s one of the most team-oriented players on the WVU roster.

Yet, it’s not the statistics, his leadership or his knowledge of the game. It’s the fact that he’s only a sophomore and still doing what he’s doing.

He has played the role of "distributor" just like WVU offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen had hoped. Devine has averaged 29 touches a game while Devine, Jock Sanders and Tavon Austin hold the top three spots in the Big East for receptions.

While highly unlikely, all three are on pace to break former WVU receivers David Saunders’ and Shawn Foreman’s single season reception record.

"You have to give it up to Geno," said WVU safety Robert Sands. "He’s not a sophomore anymore."

Yes, it’s early in the season. In fact, it’s really early.

Despite being two games into the season, Smith has shown he can carry an offense, manage a two-minute drill effectively, step up and be a leader when the time calls, throw accurately to the flats or down field, and stay collective in a hostile environment, whether that be Marshall or Auburn last season.

He’s the standout quarterback that the Big East was searching for and desperately needs this year. As long as Smith stays healthy, the title of "best quarterback in the Big East" is his to lose.

It's easy to look good against Coastal Carolina & Marshall. Just like it's easy to look bad against Florida as BJ Daniels did. Smith has played nobody but leave it to the backwoods WV media to blow smoke.[/align]

(09-14-2010 10:55 AM)MichaelSavage Wrote:  It's easy to look good against Coastal Carolina & Marshall. Just like it's easy to look bad against Florida as BJ Daniels did. Smith has played nobody but leave it to the backwoods WV media to blow smoke.[/align]

Safe to say he is the best right now, but I would wait until seasons end before proclaiming him the best in the league.

I didn't proclaim it. Brian Gawthrop, the author of the article, did. I just posted it...

He could turn out to be but for the author to make such wild claims after week 2 is absurd

I will wait for the end of season stats. or better yet the stats of conference games.

I liked his poise under fire late in the 4th quarter at Marshall. That said volumes to me. If he can keep that kind of effort coming for the rest of the season, y'all are in deep doo doo, upside down...

He looked good against Marshall. But, c'mon, this is Marshall. This is not Michigan, UTAH or even Fresno State. He might be the best before it is all said and done but the article is just a but premature.

Let's play the entire year before conceding that title to Smith. Last I saw, Geno was pretty ineffective for most of the game against Marshall and if not for that brain-fart of a fumble by Marshall he would have been the first WVU QB to lose to Marshall in the nearly hundred years since the two schools started playing.

At least he didn't cough up 4 INTs...

(09-14-2010 04:53 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  At least he didn't cough up 4 INTs...

I wouldnt brag about that yet....wait until he plays vs a real defense

Coming up shortly...

You keep gino

USF will keep BJ Daniels

let the year play out then we will know....

But, It is fun to debate

The WVU-USF game starts off WVU's conference slate. It'll be nice to get bragging rights early...