MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia will be paying Division I-AA Villanova $250,000 for Saturday's one-time visit to Mountaineer Field, but scheduling remains a pain for Coach Bill Stewart.

"I can't get border states to play us," he said. "I don't know what to do."

That would incriminate Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio, but the final four in particular.

WVU is planning to resume its series with the University of Maryland for at least two years beginning in 2010.

WVU was hoping to begin a series with the University of Virginia, but that plan seems to have stalled. Attempts to lure other Division I-A schools from those four states have also apparently failed, which could lead to a rather significant side effect, especially once East Carolina drops off the schedule after next year's game in Morgantown.

"You may see West Virginia and other Big East schools playing two I-AA opponents," Stewart said. "I don't want to fly to wherever, all over the country, where our fans can't see the games."

WVU and ECU could resume as soon as 2010, but the years in between could be thin for the Mountaineers, who already have I-AA Coastal Carolina tentatively scheduled for 2010, plus an opening that season and two in the following two years. WVU needs to fill those spots, but is struggling to do so.

"I just can't get the close opponents to play us," Stewart said. "We might have to take a trip like we do now to Colorado and Auburn. If we can play the seven Big East opponents and in-state rival Marshall, that'd give us eight. Then a close game, like East Carolina that the fans can drive to, and get four of those, that'd be good."

WVU plays Coastal Carolina, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan State and the seven conference opponents in 2010 and then the same teams minus Coastal Carolina a year later. Florida State replaces Michigan State for two years beginning in 2012 and joins the Big East schools and Marshall and Maryland. 

One cause for WVU's trouble is the way others are struggling with or reluctant in their scheduling.

"Look at the ACC -- and I'm not bashing anyone. That's not what this is about," Stewart said. "There are some pretty doggone good football programs playing two I-AA opponents and that goes back to how we can't get those close-proximity schools to play us. And when you get good, it's hard to get a game."

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STEWART ISN'T hesitant to schedule I-AA teams. He coached Virginia Military Institute at that level from 1994-96.

"I think everyone in America has the right to play," he said. "We can't get border states to play us, but we can get (I-AAs). Here's our deal about a I-AA. You take a class program, like Villanova, and they get a chance to play a I-A football team. I've been a I-AA coach and always welcomed the opportunity to play I-A teams. People say you can get guys hurt. Bologna. We've had guys get hurt walking to class in the snow. If you go out there and play worried, you're going to get hurt."

The Wildcats, ranked No. 19 in the coaches' preseason poll, have nothing to lose and everything to gain, while WVU faces the complete opposite circumstances in the event of an upset.

"What's an upset?" Stewart said. "An upset is when preparation meets opportunity. When someone prepares better and the opportunity is right, they're going to reap the rewards. It's that simple."

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SO MUCH for going against a different look for the first time since camp opened Aug. 2. Villanova runs a spread offense and a three-man front on defense.

"Schematically, they're very much like us," Stewart said. "The scheme we've gone against is what we think Villanova is going to do, for the most part. They may tweak it here and there and we have to be ready for that and adjust to it, but their defense is very similar to ours and their offense is similar to ours.

"It's what we see. It's what we see when we see different fronts and when we see our offense when we practice. It's kind of a blessing to see what we've seen all spring and all camp hopefully, unless they change it, which they could do."

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HERE'S WHAT senior center Mike Dent thinks of Josh Jenkins, the highly rated freshman offensive lineman from Parkersburg:

"He has tremendous ability. He has a lot of talent and potential to be a great player. He's getting better each day in learning the system.

"I think he has a great attitude and he wants to learn and is taking stuff from older players. It's great to see a young guy like that."

Jenkins is listed on the two-deep chart as the backup for veteran Jake Figner at right guard. A definite decision has not been made whether to redshirt him this year or play him.

Dent said, "I think Josh has the ability to play pretty much any position out there in the offensive line."

Mickey Furfari contributed to this report.