In this first edition of WVSports.com's Football Review, the No. 11 West Virginia Mountaineers sought to assert themselves against wayward opponents, affirming the Orange Bowl's 70-point showing.

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It's not usual for an event to mark both a birth and death. West Virginia's season opener presented the opulent dawning of Big XII membership. The Pride of West Virginia marched in the conference's insignia to welcome the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Marshall: that was the opponent? The Thundering Herd was an afterthought, despite the Friends of Coal Bowl's final contest initiating the celebration. This final contest in the seven-game series looked to be Marshall's last chance to earn a victory against West Virginia for a lengthy duration.

The Mountaineers moved to a nine-game schedule in conference, and sought seven home games per season. Six home contests was a minimum.

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