West Virginia Wesleyan College will open their 2013 football season, the first under new head coach George Shehl, on Saturday night Sept. 7 against Elon University. With West Virginia Wesleyan preparing to play for the first time on the year under a new coach, Elon head coach Jason Swepson admitted his team and staff know very little about how the Bobcats will operate.

What they do know is West Virginia Wesleyan will run a spread offense, just like they did last season when the team passed for nearly 300 yards per game. The offense the Bobcats trot out in 2013 will resemble the Rich Rodriguez spread he runs at the University of Arizona and previously at the University of Michigan and West Virginia University, as offensive coordinator Mike Chamoures was an assistant coach under Rodriguez at Arizona last season. Swepson also indicated that he anticipates the Bobcats will utilize a 3-3 (nickel) base defense to defend against Elon’s passing attack.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS: Who exactly is West Virginia Wesleyan?

Elon Offensive X-Factor: Running backs

Junior Karl Bostick, sophomore Tracey Coppedge and redshirt freshman B.J. Bennett all split carries against Georgia Tech last week. Playing a team such as West Virginia Wesleyan will allow Elon to further develop their run game and start to create the balance they have been seeking on offense this season. If each back can gain 40 yards on the ground and a potential No. 1 starter emerges, it will be a successful day for Elon.

West Virginia Wesleyan Offensive X-Factor: Quarterback play

Last year, three different quarterbacks split time for the Bobcats. In football, there is an old adage that “two (or in this case three) is not better than one.” If West Virginia Wesleyan wants to improve on last year's 3-8 mark, they will need to settle their quarterback play early against Elon.

Elon Defensive X-Factor: Defensive line

Senior defensive lineman Tony Thompson and junior defensive lineman Michael Pearson both went down with injuries against Georgia Tech, weakening a defensive line that had high hopes entering the season. A bounce-back game for the defense will be critical, even if just for moral support, but it will have to happen with new contributors.

MORE: New defensive coordinator Brad Sherrod overhauls Elon defesnse

West Virginia Wesleyan Defensive X-Factor: Defensive backs

We know the Bobcats will utilize a nickel coverage scheme, but if Elon’s aerial attack has its way, it could be a long day. Being able to shut down Elon’s passing game is the only way that West Virginia Wesleyan will be able to stay in the game.

Prediction New head coach. First game after a 3-8 2012 season. Not exactly a recipe for success, huh? I believe Elon pulls together everything they learned from last week’s loss and turns in a dominating performance against the Div. II Bobcats.

Elon Phoenix 56, West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats 7