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Thursday will mark quite possibly the biggest game in college football so far this year, as No. 3 West Virginia will invade Papa Johns Stadium to take on the No. 5 Cards. Both teams come into the game undefeated, with the winner ultimately taking the upper hand in the quest for the Big East’s spot in BCS play.

The Mountaineers enter Thursday’s game with the top rushing offense in college football. They average over 300 yards per game on the ground and their production thrives on its pair of sophomore stars, running back Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White. The duo anchors head coach Rich Rodriguez’s no huddle, spread type offense, and have combined this year to run for almost 1,700 yards on the ground, while punching in 18 touchdowns. Both have touchdown runs of over 50 yards on the year and are a threat to score every time they touch the ball.

“They have tremendous speed with Slaton and White,” said Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino. “We are going to have to do a great job of getting everybody to the football, getting everybody to tackle and playing full speed every play.”

And with Rodriguez’s love for grinding the clock down with the run game, keeping opposing offenses off the field, the Cardinal defense will have to limit the Rodriguez rushing attack. West Virginia has rushed the ball 326 times all year, as compared to 115 throws. Obviously, the Mountaineers will attempt to do the same against the Cards, keeping Brian Brohm and company off the field for as much time as possible.

When quarterback Pat White does throw the ball, he zeros in on fellow sophomore, Darius Reynaud. The 5-foot-10 wide out leads the team with 25 receptions for 299 yards and is second on the team with two receiving touchdowns. Reynaud’s best game of the year came in September, when he torched ECU for 110 yards receiving on five catches, including a 60-yard touchdown pass from White. He also is a threat in the running game, having at least one rushing attempt in every game this year for an average of 14 yards per carry.

West Virginia’s offensive line may be the unsung hero on the team, allowing only five sacks on the year, good for third best in the nation. Their effectiveness is one of the primary reasons White and Slaton have so much success running the ball.

“Their offensive line is very good, better than it was a year ago. Their very aggressive and play the game hard and physical,” said Petrino.

However, the Mountaineers line will have their hands full with the Louisville defense that is among the nation’s top teams when it comes to getting pressure on, leading the country with 4.14 sacks per game. It will be crucial for the Cards to contain the fleet-footed White. The ability for the Louisville defense to get some sacks and force White and the West Virginia offense into third and longs will increase the Cards’ chances for turnovers and three