With or without Smith, Amerson believes the Raiders have imp

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West Virginia is still looking for a solid game from start to finish.The Mountaineers (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) moved into the national rankings at No. 22 this week. The schedule says theyre unbeaten. The reality is that they have struggled at times, especially in their last two games.There are some kinks to work out during a bye week ahead of an Oct. 15 test at Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0) which leads the nation in average total offense (664 yards) and points per game (59.5).So far, at least West Virginia knows how to win close games and in comeback style. It could use that as a reminder during a difficult upcoming stretch of three out of five games on the road.I think this team is tough, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. I think our coaching staff has done a better job this year as in years past where you just dont hit that panic button and you remain calm and regroup.Rather than focus solely on the Red Raiders during a bye week, Holgorsen and his staff are taking recruiting trips and giving players some down time mentally and physically before easing into the Texas Tech game plan.Ive felt like in years past when we just started obsessing over another opponent ... that you can overkill someone or things can go stale, he said.There are plenty of bugs still to work out.Against Texas Tech, West Virginia cant have a slow start like it did last week when it went scoreless in the first half of a 17-16 win over Kansas State .Holgorsen is quick to remind everyone that West Virginia won two years ago at Texas Tech . But improvements are needed on an offensive line that he said had its worst game of the season against Kansas State.Why was it a low scoring game? Because Kansas States defense is really good, he said. Without a doubt, the best defense that we faced this year. I dont think its even close.Avoiding further late-game meltdowns also would help. The Mountaineers flourished on offense against BYU two weeks ago, jumping out to a 16-point lead. But the defense gave up two late touchdowns, West Virginia turned the ball over on a botched snap and BYU drove toward another score before its final threat ended with an interception and West Virginia won 35-32.That defensive lapse may have been an anomaly. On Saturday, Kansas State managed 286 total yards and got only a field goal in the second half.We needed that, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said. Dana told the defense, `get your swagger back, and I thought (Saturday) we did that.On offense, West Virginia has found the end zone on just eight of 18 trips inside the opponents 20-yard line. Quarterback Skyler Howard is third among Big 12 quarterbacks in completion percentage (66 percent) and passing yards (318 per game). But hes thrown only seven touchdown passes this season with five of those coming in one game against an FCS school.Howard uses the phrase bloody knuckles to describe how this team overcomes mistakes and frustrating stretches like it had against Kansas State.We talked about it all summer, all camp, just keep fighting, he said. Its time to put it (Saturday) behind us and get on to Texas Tech.---Online:APs college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Blue Adidas Originals Shoes . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. Norv Turner will mark his 30th year of coaching in the NFL as the offensive co-ordinator, as widely reported for weeks, and George Edwards will be the defensive co-ordinator. Adidas Originals Shoes China . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. http://www.cheapadidasoriginalsshoes.com/ . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. Cheap Adidas Originals Shoes . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Adidas Originals Shoes Outlet . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Cornerback David Amerson has what he believes is the perfect remedy for the Raiders defense to counter the high altitude in Mexico City.Get off the field -- quickly -- so that Oaklands high-scoring offense can take over.Its a plan the Raiders had great success with against defending Super Bowl champion Denver two weeks ago and something they hope to continue Monday night against the Houston Texans.We put a big emphasis on it and guys really take it on, Amerson said Thursday. If we can go out there and get three-and-outs or turnovers, if we can just stay off the field and keep the ball in our offenses hands, well be good.The Raiders forced three-and-outs on five of the Broncos first six drives in Week 9, allowing them to build a comfortable early lead during a 30-20 win that gave Oakland sole possession of first place in the AFC West heading into its bye last week.Theyll try to match that against the Texans when the two teams play at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The altitude there is 7,382 feet -- nearly 1,700 feet higher than Mile High Stadium in Denver.That could be a pivotal factor against Houston, which is why Amerson feels its even more important this week for Oaklands defense to limit its time on the field.If we can have that same mentality going into every game I feel like we would be even more of a force than we already are, Amerson said. Theyve got some speedy guys on the outside so just staying locked in to it . playing fundamentally sound football, staying on top of guys and not giving up the big plays.Equally key will be the Raiders ability to slow down the Texans fifth-ranked running game while at the same time trying to stop Houston quarterback Brock Osweilers quick release.A lot of quarterbacks try to get rid of the ball quick, Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. Some hold iit a little bit longer but the good ones dont hold it too long.ddddddddddddWhenever you have those situations, guys are catching and running with the ball. So we have to be really good tacklers.The Raiders could get a lift from the expected return of cornerback Sean Smith, who has been out since suffering a shoulder injury on the second play from scrimmage against Tampa Bay on Oct. 30. Smith has been limited in practice this week but the team is optimistic he will start against Houston.DJ Hayden, who started at cornerback against Denver, will move back to the nickel corner if Smith does play.With or without Smith, Amerson believes the Raiders have improved significantly on defense since the beginning of the season. Although Oakland is 28th in yards allowed and 30th in pass defense, he points to the teams success on third down as proof.The Raiders are allowing opponents to convert 33.3 percent on third down, tied with Miami for lowest in the AFC and second overall behind Baltimore.With giving up all the points and yards early in the season, it really comes off a handful of plays, Amerson said. I dont think that defines us as a defense so its not surprising we can go out there, one of the top teams on third down. I feel like we should be one of the top teams on defense period. If we can just focus and eliminate ... all the little plays that go for 60, 70 yards ... well be up there with anybody in any category.Game notes Wide receiver Amari Cooper (back), running back Latavius Murray (ankle), left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), center Rodney Hudson (knee) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle) were all limited for a second straight day.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '