The Tailgate Tape: West Virginia vs. UT Martin

Alright Mountaineer Nation, 1-0 and it feels good, doesn't it? If you missed last week, this is The Tailgate Tape, the thing I'm gonna do every Saturday to get you ready for the game. Where to watch, what time to show up, who we're playing, who to keep your eyes on. Basically what I'd tell you if you called me up asking "Hey man, what am I watching this weekend?" My backyard's already set up again, sausages and ribs going on the grill, my wife's baked beans, some fries, GameDay on in the background. Let's talk UT Martin.

Kickoff is Saturday, September 12 at 1 p.m. ET, back home at Milan Puskar Stadium. Heads up though, this one's not on cable. You need ESPN+ for this one, so get that squared away before kickoff or you'll be scrambling. Weather

Cooler one this week, high around 65, low near 49, 40 percent chance of rain. Nothing like the wet mess we tailgated through for the opener, so take the win and enjoy a more comfortable Saturday outside.

UT Martin's making their first ever trip to Morgantown. They're an FCS team out of the Ohio Valley Conference, coached by Jason Simpson. They just handled Chicago State 42-7 last week, so they're sitting at 1-1 and they're not walking in here shaken up or unsure of themselves. They brought in a big signing class this year too, 47 new guys, so this isn't some team just happy to be here. Doesn't change the fact that jumping from FCS up to a Big 12 opponent is a completely different level of football. We should be the better team on paper, and it's not close.

Thomas Ansley is the one I'd watch first. Dude ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries last week, that's not a fluke, that's a guy who can hurt you if you let him get going. Their quarterback, Surber, threw for 222 yards in that same game, so this isn't a team that's only going to try and run it down your throat. And keep an eye on Carter out wide, three catches for 62 yards last week. If our coverage gets a little too comfortable because of who's on the other sideline, he's the guy who'll make us pay for it.

That's the Tape for this week. Don't sleep on this game just because of who it's against. What I want to see from us defensively is simple, contain their quarterback, don't let him scramble around and extend plays, especially on third down. Offensively, stay aggressive, keep the foot on the gas instead of playing it too safe. We do those two things, this one's not close. Let's get to 2-0.