ESPN

Rasheed Marshall

  (11:55 AM)

I'm here, I'm ready for your questions ... and I'm ready for Saturday! Let's go!

ABC--Morgantown, WV

Rasheed: I don't want the Terps being able to post an incentive on their locker room, but what is your honest prediction? We all know WVU will win, but what will the score be? WVU 28 - UM 17.

Rasheed Marshall

  (11:57 AM)

I'm really not a big predictor of scores, I just like to go out and hope for the best. Hopefully we come out on top!

Matt(Morgantow, WV)

Rasheed, wow this is crazy dude. You on the ESPN Chat..... Big question I really want to ask is..bottom line, how bad do you guys REALLY want to pay maryland back? and how is that mentality different for this game than the previous 3?

Rasheed Marshall

  (11:58 AM)

We definitely want to win this game, every game on the schedule is big, but yes, Maryland beat up on us pretty bad the last couple times. We're real hungry right now and we're putting in the extra edge for this one.

Neal (College Park, MD)

What do you say to the people who think WVU running the table in the Big East this year wouldn't mean anything because the Big East is so weak?

Rasheed Marshall

  (11:59 AM)

I would definitely have to say that the Big East still has some great teams in the conf -- sure, Miami and VT left, but WV and Pitt and Boston College and Syracuse are still around. So I don't know about that comment at all, I'd definitely have to turn my back on that one!

Greg (Charleston, WV)

Rasheed,ITs very important in my opinion that you get off to a good start in Saturdays game give the way the last 3 have started. Mainly being over before we knew what hit us. Give the weather conditions that you will likley face what is your game plan for getting off to that necessary quick start?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:01 PM)

Thats so important. We've already talked about that specific issue, as you said, we have to establish ourselves early, in the past few games we've struggled with that and it is something we are aware of and looking to change this Saturday!

Derek (West Liberty, WV)

is everyone healthy for this big game? any key injuries that we have?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:03 PM)

For the most part everybody is pretty healthy. We're not sure about Kay Jay's hamstring -- we definitely need his services on the ground, hopefully he'll be out there 100%. But other than that, everybody is pretty healthy.

Jeff: Manhattan, NY

Rasheed, Is there any major difference between having Tim Brown at center this year instead of Jeremy Hines? Thanks. Go WVU!!

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:04 PM)

Not really b/c you can adjust to a center real quick. I was fully adjusted to Tim after about a week of practice. Tim is a little taller than Jeremy, so I don't have to bend down for the snap as far ... Tim snaps a lot harder than Jeremy does too so I had to get used to that, but it's just an adjustment like anything else. It take a little time to get used to little things.

Michael (Morgantown, WV)

60,000 CRAZY fans have your back in this one. Last year, it seemed the crowds for the VT and Pitt games were invaluable to the team. How important is that in situations like this and where do you think the Mountaineer crowd ranks nationwide?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:06 PM)

First off, having our fans when we're playing at home is SUCH a plus for us. I know that it's very tough for a QB to make audibles and checks at the line of scrimmage when the fans are going crazy. Our fans are amazing -- turnout, excitement -- everything. They are at least in the top 15 in the nation!

Justin: morgantown wv

Is the maryland game a make or break of this season in your opinion obvisouly everybody wants a win but can this year still be considered a success if wvu doesnt win this game? go eers

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:08 PM)

This game is not a determinant of our season. Look at last year, we were kind of in the same situation, but we bounced back and finished strong. Of course, we want this game, but if we don't win it, there's 8 more where that came from.

Wes (Touchdown City, WV)

Congrats on your Player of the Week honors! Are we going to see more of Charles Hales in the game plan this week? LETS GO...

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:09 PM)

Thanks Wes. I'm assuming you're talking about WR. Yes, Charles is in the game plan a little bit. He's always there as a backup. As the game goes along, how I'm doing or if I get injured, that all plays a big part of how much time he sees.

Ted (Huntington WV)

Rasheed do you think that the D will run a 4-3 some this game and will we see the option this week.

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:11 PM)

I"m not sure what the defense is up to. They have something new every week depending on who we're facing. I'm pretty sure they'll still come out in our base defense and then make changes on the fly. As for the option, it's in our playbook, we haven't really ran it too much but I'm sure if the opportunity presents itself, we'll use it.

Vito, IUP, PA

Rasheed what are you getting bump for his birthday

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:12 PM)

I'm gonna get him a new perkulator!

Michael (Charleston, WV)

Last year you took a shot from that dude from Wisconsin, was that the hardest you have been hit?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:13 PM)

I would definitely have to say so. And he kind of caught me when I was exposed, rolling out and he got a good piece of me. Yeah, that's probably the hardest I've been hit.

Eric (Plainsboro, NJ)

Great job passing the ball last week! What do you take most pride in -- touchdown passes, completion percentage, distributing the ball to various receivers, etc?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:14 PM)

I can't really say I have a favorite stat. I always like to run touchdowns ... throw touchdown ... make big plays. Doesn't matter to me! I like it all!

Ferro (Motown, WV)

More run or pass with the downpours expected Saturday?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:15 PM)

It depends on how much rain we're really gonna get ... and how dry the ball boys can keep the football. We played in a game like this last year -- it's wasn't the best game in the world -- but we know what it's like and we know what needs to be done to make things happen in those conditions.

Mark (Morgantown WV)

Rasheed, aside from the starting skill position players, who is that one player who could be a difference maker for us against Maryland?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:17 PM)

I think Brian Wright is a difference maker. He's exciting, he's small, he's a fan favorite. If he gets in the game Saturday I'm sure he'll come through and makes something happen for us.

Ryan (Morgantown, WV)

Rasheed great job by the team so far, but we need to cut down on penalties and needless turnovers. Do you think we can beat Maryland without a huge cutback on both of these? The WVU fans will be in the stands rain or shine.... LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:18 PM)

Thanks Ryan. I agree -- the penalties are killing us right now. Our coaches are on us. We've had almost 300 yards of penalties in the past two weeks. We're beating ourselves. We can't do that against a Maryland. Something that we are definitely trying to improve.

Dylan Ward, Mineral Wells, WV

Rasheed,Who talks more "smack," K.J. or Pac Man?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:20 PM)

Aww Man. They both talk A LOT of junk. It's pretty close. Pac Man is a little louder, but they both talk a lot of trash -- and when I say a lot ... I mean A LOT!

Patrick (Falls Church, VA)

Many have compared you to standout WVU/Big East quarterbacks, particularly Major Harris, Donovan McNabb, and Michael Vick. You have broken, or stand poised to break, records set by all three. Which record would you most like to hold? As a life-long Mountaineer fan, the record I would most like to see is 11-0!

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:23 PM)

I would agree, Patrick -- 11-0! I would also like to keep the Big East single season rushing record that I broke soph year previous held by Michael Vick. And this year I'm hoping to break Donovan McNabb's all-time Big East rushing record for a QB. I'll take whatever I can get. Major Harris and I are actually from the same neighborhood so it would be great to break one of his records and go back home and mess with him a little bit.

Billy

What uni's are you all wearing on Saturday?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:24 PM)

We're going with the blue on blue.

Mike - Cleveland, OH

Rasheed - Great couple of games so far! How has the team been this week in practice etc. - Loose, tight? How has the coaching staff approached the game? I know as fans we are out of our collective minds! PS - Congrats on the Diploma!!

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:25 PM)

Thanks Mike! The O side of the team is pretty much in the usual mindset of big game preparation. We're relaxed. We're trying to keep focussed. The coaches are motivating us and really gettting us going. We're ready .

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:25 PM)

Thanks Mike! The O side of the team is pretty much in the usual mindset of big game preparation. We're relaxed. We're trying to keep focussed. The coaches are motivating us and really gettting us going. We're ready .

Jeff T (Atlanta, GA)

Hey Rasheed, the Atlanta Mounties will all be pulling for you guys this weekend. Good luck and have another great game!

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:27 PM)

Thanks Jeff ... I'm pretty sure I'll need it! Tune in to the game and give us that support!

Brian (Bethesda, MD)

Rasheed, Maryland is currently the only top 25 team that you will face this year. If WVU runs the table and goes 11-0, how upset will you be when you aren't in the national title game? Or do you not think this will happen?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:29 PM)

If we went 11-0 and don't get in, I can't say I would be real mad b/c I know how the BCS formula works. Sure I'd be dissapointed, but I think I'd be pretty pleased with an 11-0 season!

John (Fairmont, WV)

Looking at this yearâ??s schedule, about half of the games are evening games. Do you and the team prefer afternoon or evening games, and how does kickoff time affect your game day preparation?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:30 PM)

I think we all like to play night games. I think that under the lights it just brings a little more excitement, it's almost like a performance, a spotlight stage, all eyes on you type thing. We all really get up for night games.

Cam (New Orleans)

Are you glad that it didn't work out for you with the University of Pittsburgh, considering that you're now in the national championship picture? And do you ever listen to "Country Roads" while in your car?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:32 PM)

I NEVER listen to country roads. Coach plays it some times in team meetings just to get us accustomed to the traditions of the state, but that's the only time I really hear it. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose West Virginia. I'm glad I made the choice I did and I'm in a great position right now where I'm at.

Mike (Chicago)

Have you ever put your name on the wall at Mario's Fishbowl?

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:33 PM)

For everybody out there who doesn't know -- Marios is a bar in MOrgantown -- I've been there before, but haven't had my chance to put my name up there yet ... hopefully before I leave Morgantown I'll make the wall.

Rasheed Marshall

  (12:34 PM)

My time is up folks. Thanks for all the support and interest -- I really appreciate it. Hopefully we can keep the fans on the edge of their seat. Let's go Mountaineers!

Buzzmaster

  (12:34 PM)

Hey folks, it's time for Michele Tafoya!