ESPN College Football

There's an image that West Virginia coaches keep showing the offensive players. It's not always the same picture, but it carries the same message.

It's a referee holding his hands inches apart.

"They showed us a lot of pictures of that," left tackle Don Barclay said. "It hurts deep down."

The Mountaineers saw that in real life too much last season, failing to convert key short-yardage downs at Colorado, Pitt and elsewhere. That wasn't all the offensive line's fault. Some of the blame has to be pinned on the lack of a real power back.

But Barclay said the linemen are taking that picture to heart. And short yardage is not all that's riding on him and his guys up front.

With four starters from last year gone, the O-line is the biggest area of concern for most West Virginia fans. That fact is not lost on the players.

"That's definitely the question," Barclay said. "Anyone you talk to is like, the season's going to depend on the O-line. We talk about that, too. We tell each other that this is going to be our season; it's going to depend on how we do.

"I don't think a lot of people have our backs. But I think we're going to come out and surprise a lot of people."

Coach Bill Stewart has been shuffling his line in recent days during practice. Redshirt freshman Joey Madsen has seen time as the starting center, with Eric Jobe shifting to right. Jeff Braun is also at right guard but can play center, too.

"They are young, and they are making mistakes, but they are giving great effort," Stewart said. "I think those three are pretty interchangeable."

Josh Jenkins is entrenched at left guard after playing as a true freshman last year, and Selvish Capers is the lone graybeard as the senior right tackle.

"We are young, especially on the inside," Barclay said. "But I think every day we're improving a little bit. We've had some rough days in camp, but we've had some really good days, too."

Barclay will be starting at the all-important left tackle spot after appearing in 13 games as a reserve his redshirt freshman year in 2008. The 6-foot-4, 291-pounder will try to replace Ryan Stanchek, who left as one of the more decorated offensive linemen in school history.

"He had an unmatched passion for the game, and his motor never stopped," Barclay said. "He taught me everything I needed to know, all the insights. I'm really close with him and we always talk."

Barclay feared he might not get this opportunity when he broke his leg in the spring game. But he said he was full go again about a week before training camp began, and he hasn't missed any reps since practice started.

The line is different this year, and not just because of fresh faces. For years the Mountaineers wanted lean, quick blockers for their running schemes. Now they're turning to a bigger, more powerful line that can help with the increased passing game.

"We're a little more downhill now," Barclay said. "It's more pro-style stuff. But they're putting in tricks so the defense doesn't know if we're running outside or the inside belly."

Barclay holds no illusions about the importance of improving the offensive line. He doesn't want to be looking at any more disheartening pictures this time next season.