Legends say QBs will decide the Auburn-WVU game

When West Virginia takes on Auburn on the Plains this weekend, the game will most likely be decided by the quarterbacks.

Both Jarrett Brown of West Virginia and Chris Todd of Auburn have begun their first full seasons as starting quarterbacks for their respective teams.

On this week’s conference call, Legend Don Nehlen offered high praise of Brown.

“Jarrett Brown is the real deal,” the former Mountaineer head coach said. “Jarrett Brown, in my opinion, is better than Pat White.”

That’s right. The same Pat White that is regarded as one of the best to come through West Virginia. The same Pat White that holds the Big East and West Virginia career rushing yardage record for a quarterback with 2,171 yards. The same Pat White who was the 44th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2009 Draft.

But Nehlen isn’t joking when he talks about Brown’s abilities.

“He is a big, strong guy,” he said. “He’s 6’4”, about 230 pounds and can run it. Not only that, but he threw for a lot of yards on Saturday (against East Carolina).”

West Virginia (2-0) beat a good East Carolina team without much problem last week. Brown was 21-of-34 for 331 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Head coach Bill Stewart was thrilled with how his quarterback performed. Like Stewart, Nehlen likes his former team’s chances this year with Brown at the helm.

“If they can go down to Auburn and win, then you have to consider West Virginia as being a Top 25 team next week,” he said.

That’s no easy task, though. Auburn may be down from recent years, but playing on the road in the SEC is like walking into a lion’s den.

“Auburn is back having fun playing,” said Pat Dye, the team’s former head coach. “The coaches are doing a heck of a job at getting the team to play with a lot more intensity.”

Auburn (2-0, 1-0 SEC) has been solid in their first two games, taking care of Louisiana Tech, 37-13, and Mississippi State, 49-24, both at home. Todd has been effective, throwing for 441 yards on 27-of-49 attempts and two touchdowns combined in the first two games.

“Todd wasn’t exceptional against Mississippi State, but he’s pretty good,” Dye said. “He’s better than what Auburn has had in the past.”

The difference for Auburn might come from a former starting quarterback from last year. Kodi Burns has been inserted at quarterback mostly to run the football and has made an impact. Against Mississippi State, he rushed nine times for 32 yards, ran for three scores and threw for another.

Dye said that Burns could be utilized to help keep West Virginia off balance defensively.

“We’ll get a feel for how good these teams are this weekend now that they’re playing on the big stage,” he said.

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