Talk about shocking contrasts.
At the front of a West Virginia football team meeting room, center Joe Madsen, seated in the center of a huge media huddle, was crowing about the Mountaineers offense.
Quarterback Geno Smith was trying to deflect talk about winning the Heisman Trophy.
Wide receiver Tavon Austin, who would be the lead Heisman Trophy candidate on any other team, was talking about how unstoppable West Virginia’s offense is.
And sitting off to the side with one reporter was forlorn West Virginia linebacker Doug Rigg of Oradell, N.J.
He understood the offensive players’ glee. They had just racked up numbers that some teams don’t accumulate in three games — 807 yards, 88 plays, 70 points, 33 first downs.
But it was the numbers that the other team compiled, Baylor’s numbers — 700 yards, 92 plays, 63 points and 34 first downs — that left Rigg and his defensive teammates feeling as if they had just caught their girlfriends kissing another guy.
“Honestly, I really feel like we lost this game,’’ said the former Bergen Catholic star. “I don’t see any of the defensive players with a smile on their face right now.
“You can’t give up that many points, yards — totally unacceptable. If we do this again we’re going to pay for it. Luckily, today our offense was clicking. We need to help them. We didn’t help them out today. They won the game for us today.’’
Rigg told The Post the defense would hold a meeting early this week to address the abysmal defensive performance. Rigg said he was one of the upperclassmen who would call the sit-down before Saturday’s game at Texas. The Longhorns are sure to be much tougher and much more physical than Baylor.
“Basically the guys have been around long enough to know that this was unacceptable,’’ said Rigg. “We’ve played on a national-ranked defense before. We know what to do around here. This definitely is not going to be the last time we hear about this just on the inside. As players, we’re going to remind each other about this.’’
The Mountaineers offense, which punted twice, still has a few doubters. Baylor entered the game ranked 113th in total defense. One Twitter member asked how could Smith be the leading Heisman Trophy candidate when he put his staggering numbers against air?
It’s possible the ’Neers will get a tougher test at Texas. The Longhorns got burned by the offense of Oklahoma State, where Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen first installed his Air Raid attack, giving up 576 yards in a 41-36 win. Texas, however, did hold the ball for 36 minutes, a strategy it might employ against West Virginia.
Of course, if the West Virginia defense gives up another 63, it might not make a difference what the offense does.
* Mr. Right: It’s hard to argue that Nick Saban is the best coach in college football. He’s already won three national titles — two at Alabama; one at LSU. Saban is successful because no one sweats the details more than he does. Combine that meticulous nature with outstanding talent and ’Bama will be the team to beat as long as Saban is there.
The stars are lining up for Saban again this season. The Tide (4-0) did not play up to its potential in a 33-20 win over Ole Miss. Now Saban has a bye week to work his players. If the Tide loses this season, it won’t be because Saban’s message didn’t get through.
“Nobody really listens to me until after the fact, and they say, ‘Yeah, you were right.’ ’’
Heisman candidates:
The first look
America’s most prestigious college football trophy is up for grabs this season. USC quarterback Matt Barkley had a subpar game in the Trojans’ loss to Stanford. Geno Smith, who has thrown almost as many touchdowns (20) as incompletions (28), is the clear-cut leader heading into October.
Our Heisman list is as follows: USC wide receiver Marqise Lee; Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o; West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin.
Alabama center Barrett Jones and LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery also are on our watch list. Our explanation is simple: The Heisman is supposed to go to the best player in college football; not the best offensive player, not the player with the best stats, not a player on a winning team, not the play with best pro potential.
Lee has been the best player we’ve seen. At 6-foot, 195 pounds, he’s bigger and more physical than the 5-9, 174-pound Austin. Te’o has been spectacular while enduring the loss of his girlfriend and grandmother. Austin goes from catch to full speed as fast as any player in college football.