Bodog Beat

Whatever is ailing the West Virginia Mountaineers didn't leave town with Rich Rodriguez. (AP Images)

West Virginia whiffed on a spot in the last BCS Championship Game, and it looks like the Mountaineers’ 2008 title hopes are already off the rails after dropping a 24-3 decision to the East Carolina Pirates. West Virginia will try to recover Thursday night at Colorado; get the latest NCAA football odds in this matchup.

The Buffaloes won’t just roll over at Folsom Field. This is their third year under coach Dan Haskins, who got the Buffs back into the bowl picture in just his second year. A 38-17 road win over the rival Colorado State Rams (+12.5) got the 2008 season off to a roaring start. But having to scramble to beat the FCS Eastern Washington Eagles 31-24 shows there is still to work to do in Boulder. Gonna have to give East Carolina some credit and take the Mountaineers in a bounce-back performance.