On paper, West Virginia will be a much tougher test for Maryland than the Miami Hurricanes were in their first game of the season. West Virginia is ranked in both polls while Miami was not, and they don't have the suspensions lingering over them like the 'Canes did. The news doesn't get any easier because now we find out that West Virginia's best playmaker Tavon Austin is recovered from a dislocated finger and close to 100%, according to Eric Prisbell.
I talked with West Virginia’s Tavon Austin, the team’s best playmaker, on the phone Tuesday night. Remember, WVU Coach Dana Holgorsen told The Charleston Daily Mail that Austin played through what likely was a dislocated finger suffered in Saturday’s victory over Norfolk State. Austin told me his finger is fine and that he feels close to 100 percent.
Austin is the exact kind of home run hitter that the Terps have always had trouble with. They had a lot of issues trying to contain the kick return game against Miami, and Austin provides a similar threat. If they can bottle him up, it will go a long way towards earning a victory.