Powered by the arm of senior quarterback Will Grier, West Virginia boasted the ninth-most-prolific scoring offense (42.3 points per game). But during the Camping World Bowl, the Mountaineers will be without their offensive leader, who will sit out to prepare for the NFL draft.
With Grier and standout offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste sidelined, the No. 16 Mountaineers (8-3, 6-3 Big 12) may have to rely on their junior tailbacks — Kennedy McKoy and Martell Pettaway — to keep up with No. 20 Syracuse (9-3, 6-2 Atlantic Coast). McKoy, a physical runner, averages 66.27 yards on 11.6 carries a game, and Pettaway, a more shifty back, has the ability to stretch runs to the outside.