Quarterback Jarret Doege has been a hot topic for Mountaineer fans all season. Some love him, some hate him, some think he is serviceable. However, no matter what you think of him, it cannot be denied that he has been solid through eight games this season.
Doege is completing 65.9% of his passes, and has added 2,219 yards and 13 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. Those statistics are good enough to place him second in the Big 12 in passing, and his low interception count makes him one of only two quarterbacks in the conference with 3 interceptions.
The former Bowling Green Falcon has proven himself to be the leader of this offense, but there still seems to be something missing. What Doege lacks right now is that “it” factor that players like Geno Smith, Pat White, and even Will Grier had. Though the game-management is there, Doege rarely if ever takes over a game. Head Coach Neal Brown has stated before that he expects Doege’s breakout game “soon,” but we are running out of opportunities for that to happen in 2020. If Doege wants to cement himself as one of the best quarterbacks the Mountaineers have had in recent memory, his biggest opportunity will be this Saturday against Oklahoma.
West Virginia has played Oklahoma eight times since joining the Big 12, and have came out of the contests with a loss all eight times. Geno Smith, Paul Millard, Clint Trickett, Skyler Howard, Chris Chugunov, Will Grier, and Austin Kendall have all encountered the beast that is the Sooners, and failed. If Jarret Doege can play mistake-free football, and most importantly, somehow come away with a win against the Sooners, there will no longer be any questioning of his ability.
Saturday will finally be Doege’s time to shine. The opportunity is there, and he can elevate his status in the eyes of Mountaineer fans in the blink of an eye. Whether or not he can pull off the improbable remains to be seen.
WVU and Oklahoma kickoff at 7:30 on Saturday, and the game will be broadcasted on ABC.
