Wrapping up our review of each team's preseason Best case/Worst case scenarios with West Virginia.

Original post is here.

Best case in a nutshell: 11-1 and Orange Bowl.

Worst case in a nutshell: 5-7.

Reality: 9-3 and Konica Minolta Gator Bowl.

That's just crazy talk: "Pat White, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you. West Virginia's newfangled offensive line isn't able to protect [Jarrett] Brown and he gets hurt early and often. Inexperienced backups [Geno] Smith and Coley White are thrown into the fire but are not ready, and Bradley Starks shows why he's a receiver. Defenses no longer have to respect the pass and load up against [Noel] Devine and the running game, which still can't convert short-yardage downs.

Not too far off: "Early in the season, West Virginia exacts revenge on East Carolina and Colorado ... Winning on the road at Auburn is too much to ask."

What really happened: The Mountaineers have far too much pride to fall all the way to a worst-case scenario, though they were drifting closer to that after a loss at Cincinnati left them at 7-3 with two tough games remaining. But while the offense never regained its early-season firepower, the defense made enough plays to help the team close the year strong, beating rival Pitt and winning at Rutgers in the finale. You could say West Virginia isn't truly great at any one thing. But the program has enough talent and depth to be playing in a New Year's Day bowl game with a chance at 10 wins. If that's not a best-case outcome, it's only because the bar is so high in Morgantown.