vs. Penn State
The game will feature many of the same pieces from a season before with WVU’s Garrett Greene and CJ Donaldson. Jahiem White did not play in the game as a true freshman last season and could be the x-factor if the Mountaineers want to pull an upset week one.
The Morgantown faithful is going to show up better than they have in recent history to help get behind their Mountaineers and keep them in the game.
WVU is faster, stronger, and more athletic than they were a year ago. With the crowd behind their back, the Mountaineers pull off the upset 28-27 and move to 1-0.
vs. Albany
The cleanup game for WVU will be all important after a very tough week one and super important week two. This game is a chance for players to break out and create a role for themselves all season long like fans saw Hudson Clement do a season ago.
The talent discrepancy is off the charts in this one, the Mountaineers should take care of business early. WVU wins 66-7.
@ Pitt
There are a lot of unknowns about Pitt football including who will be the starting QB. Alabama transfer Eli Holstein is making a push for the spot over Nate Yarnell. With two different playing styles, Pitt could be a completely different team from one week to the next.
However, much like last season, WVU should be more physical and talented up front to let Pitt get anything going. Allowing under 50 rushing yards the entire second half, WVU also did not need to rely on the run themselves with Nicco Marchiol at QB.
With a healthy Garrett Greene, the Mountaineers should be able to run all over the Panthers in Pittsburgh. WVU wins 34-17
vs. Kansas
A potential ranked Big 12 3-0 battle for the conference opener could bring more national attention back to WVU. After three wins to start the year both teams could be coming in hot and a primetime matchup could lead to the highly anticipated Coal Rush jersey debut.
Despite Kansas being super athletic led by Jalon Daniels and star CB Cobee Bryant, the Jayhawks will be no tough out, but nobody sees WVU losing in coal rush jerseys should they be worn here.
In a hard, tough, back and forth game, WVU wins 31-28.
@ Oklahoma State
At this point in the season, there is no more hiding WVU’s talent. At a potential 4-0 record, the team will have each team’s best every week. Oklahoma State is no different. After a bitter defeat last season that saw Ollie Gordon run wild to seal the win for the Cowboys, WVU could come out with some fight.
However, in the first Big 12 game on the road for WVU, it will be tough for them to stop Oklahoma State’s rushing attack all game long and keep OSU from bleeding the clock with a win. For the first loss of the season to move to 4-1, OSU wins 31-24.
vs. Iowa State
There will be some extra motivation for WVU after Iowa State was picked to finish ahead of the Mountaineers in this year’s Big 12 media poll. While Iowa State will certainly be improved from last season, their talent should still not be quite on WVU’s level.
In Morgantown, it will be tough for the Cyclones to keep up with a focused Mountaineer team with their home crown behind them. WVU moves to 5-1, 38-24.
vs. Kansas State
The Wildcats are picked by many to head to the Big 12 Championship game and for good reason. One of the most balanced and talented teams in the conference will be a tough out for any team they go against.
The Morgantown crowd will help keep this game close, but WVU loses a heartbreaker and moves to 5-2, 24-21.
@ Arizona
Another pick by some to win the Big 12 conference after a surprising season a year ago. Arizona will be returning most of their players from last season and have a ton of confidence going into the year.
It will be interesting to see how the new teams fare in the Big 12 this upcoming year, but Arizona, along with Utah seem like they will have no issue adjusting. The travel to Arizona and talent on the field will make this game tough for the Mountaineers who will drop their second straight game and move to 5-3, 42-24.
@ Cincinnati
A new chapter of this new regional rivalry will continue this season in Cincinnati after Garrett Greene ran wild on the Bearcats last season.
Expect WVU to have to be a lot more dependent on the air attack with an improved defensive front for the Bearcats but it should still be enough to travel and improve to 6-3. WVU wins 45-17.
vs. Baylor
Baylor might have been the most shockingly bad team in the country last year after a terrible season. Do not expect that level of bad again from the Bears, but it could very easily still be a down year with the schedule they have.
With that said, they do have some talent to give WVU some troubles, but the Mountaineers should still be able to take care of business. WVU wins and improves to 7-3, 31-20.
vs. UCF
UCF was another team that was projected by many to make some noise this season in the BIG 12. Their talent level is very similar to WVU and also has one of the best running back rooms in the country.
The Mountaineers will have the advantage of playing a Florida team in Morgantown in late November. For what could be a very important game in Big 12 standings, WVU at home will edge out a close one and improve to 8-3, 24-20.
@ Texas Tech
The final game of the season will be on the road against Texas Tech, a team projected ot be middle of the pack. These are the games WVU has struggled with in the past but if the Mountaineers win another big bowl game, this is a must win.
WVU wins and finishes 9-3 ranked in the top 25, 31-24.
Final Projections
WVU goes 9-3 (6-3) and misses the Big 12 Championship by one game once again, missing the playoffs but making another higher level bowl game.
Team MVP
This team will go as far as Garrett Greene takes them. The defense has fixed some holes and should be good enough to let the offense cook and win games. Everyone knows about Greene’s legs and mobility, but if that deep ball and short accuracy can be improved for this season, big things could be ahead for the Mountaineers.
