The noon kickoff will feature two teams gunning for their ninth victories.

Mountaineer Sports Network play-by-play announcer Tony Caridi says WVU Coach Bill Stewart is using the winning streak as motivation. Saturday's game does mark the first time the Mountaineers have been an underdog against the Scarlet Knights in 20-years.

Caridi believes a Gator Bowl bid appears strongly in WVU's corner win or lose, but he says it's important to play well. "All indications are pointing that way because of the victory over Pitt," Caridi said.

But Coach Stewart has stayed away from any and all bowl talk this week. Instead he has focused on the improved play of the WVU defense in recent weeks. Caridi believes that has a lot to do with the full return of linebacker Reed Williams and lineman Scooter Berry.

"They've gotten healed up," Caridi said. "When you see them out there, that's the defense that was supposed to be out there."

Airtime on several MetroNews Saturday will begin at 8 a.m. with Big East Today. The Mountaineer Countdown airs at 10 a.m.