Well, at least not for an early chance to play in the NFL.

Getting out of town for a brief vacation and then for West Virginia's Jan. 1 Gator Bowl date with Florida State? Well, that's another matter entirely.

West Virginia's junior tailback sat at a table in the Puskar Center Monday morning sporting a healthy growth of beard and in need of a haircut. That, he said, is with good reason.

"This is my winter look,'' Devine said. "I need to get a home haircut where they know what they're doing. I can't keep getting my hair cut at Wal-Mart.''

The burning question, of course, is not about Devine's hair. Admit it, you don't really care what's hidden beneath the helmet, right?

You're only interested in how much longer he's going to be wearing that helmet.

"I knew this question was coming,'' Devine said.

But he's not ready to answer it.

"Whatever falls in place. Whatever's right,'' Devine said. "I'll just leave it in God's hands.''

The deal is pretty simple. Devine has been at West Virginia for three years. After serving as Steve Slaton's apprentice as a true freshman, he has since put together back-to-back seasons of 1,289 and 1,297 yards rushing. Now three years out of high school, he is officially eligible to bail on college and enter the NFL draft.

There seems to be a general feeling that that's exactly what he'll do, but Devine said he hasn't submitted his paperwork, either to enter the draft or even to have his draft position analyzed by the NFL.

"I haven't done anything,'' Devine said.

If it's a foregone conclusion that the Gator Bowl will be Devine's curtain call, well, no one has been told that by Devine.

"Right now I'm just focused on coming back and winning a national championship,'' Devine said. "This game could mean a lot, but right now I'm just focused on coming back. And it will be so much better next year than this year.''

Indeed, the Gator Bowl could be what tips the scales one way or another. Devine could have one of those otherworldly performances that he seems to throw out there almost randomly. It could be an attention-grabber for NFL scouts, even those who might smirk at his 5-foot-8, 176-pound frame and wonder where a guy like that fits on the next level.

Or it could merely be a springboard to a terrific senior season at West Virginia, which is what Devine means when he says things could be so much better next year than this.

"Just the experience and the players standing back watching and the linemen, they're going to get a better workout this summer,'' Devine said. "It's just more [of everyone] maturing each year. And with everybody's senior season on the line, everybody's going to be pushed to the limit.''

If the Gator Bowl ends up being a springboard for Devine, it could serve as the same for the Mountaineers as a whole, he said.

"That would mean a lot, coming back into next season ranked,'' Devine said. "It's a matter of showing people that we're one of the top programs.''

All in all, the guy just doesn't sound like someone who intends to make his next game his last at West Virginia. Again, the game itself could play a part in what happens. But ask Devine if he has any unfinished business in college and he's quick to answer.

"There's a lot of things I'd like to accomplish, a lot of records,'' said Devine, who with another season like his last two would likely finish second on the school's all-time rushing list and could challenge Avon Cobourne for the top spot. "Touchdown records, rushing yards, all kinds of things.''

And who knows? With another year he might even find a place to get a decent haircut.

Reach Dave Hickman at 304-348-1734 or dphickm...@aol.com.