West Virginia University Football Power Rankings Week 8

1. Kevin White

It seems that with every game that passes Kevin White's season becomes more memorable. White has been flat out dominant, and no defender appears capable of stopping him. For the game White had eight catches for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. For the year White now has 100-yard receiving performances in each of his first seven games. Per ESPN, outside of White only two receivers, Michael Crabtree and Justin Blackmon, in the past fifteen years have done the same and both of those players went on to win the Biletnikoff Award.

Previous ranking #4

2. Clint Trickett

After a rough start to the game that included a fumble and an interception Trickett finished the game going 23 of 35 for 322 yards, three touchdowns and the aforementioned interception.

Previous ranking #7

3. Shaquille Riddick

Riddick put his name on the map with a three sack performance that will hopefully be the first of many great performances for Shaq Fu throughout the rest of this season.

Previous ranking unranked

4. Josh Lambert

Another week, another 50-yarder. This one a 54-yarder just prior to the half that provided the Mountaineers with some additional momentum heading into halftime.

Previous ranking #1

5. Mountaineer Running Backs

When Rushel Shell hurt himself punishing one of the Baylor defenders the rest of the backs went to work. Wendell Smallwood finished with the highest workload with 20 carries, but Dreamius Smith had a nice performance with 60 yards and a touchdown on just thirteen carries, and Andrew Buie had several important plays including a 42-yard catch and run where he held onto the ball after taking a punishing hit.

Previous ranking unranked

6. Wes Tonkery

Tonkery was all over the field on Saturday finishing with eight total tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass break up, and one quarterback hurry (per cfbstats.com).

Previous ranking unranked

7. Mario Alford

Alford is a game breaker pure and simple. He has elite speed that was on full display as he outran the Baylor defense on a 39-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the Mountaineers on top by two touchdowns.

Previous ranking unranked

8. Brandon Golson

Per cfbstats.com, Golson is fourth on the team in total tackles and on Saturday the senior had five total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack.

Previous ranking unranked

9. Nick Kwiatkoski

Has played at a consistently high level all season, and that trend continued against Baylor where the junior linebacker had seven tackles. He leads all Mountaineers with 55 tackles for the year.

Previous ranking #2

10. Ricky Rumph

Rumph stepped up big in place of the injured starting cornerbacks allowing the Mountaineers to continue their defensive plan to put as much pressure as possible on Bryce Petty.

Previous ranking unranked