Mountaineers Face Uphill Battle: Ranking WVU Football’s Remaining schedule
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At the halfway point of the season, the West Virginia Mountaineers find themselves at a crossroads. Wiht a record of 2-4 and an 0-0 mark in Big 12 play, the first year of Rich Rodriguez’ second stint as head coach has been marked by a wave of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. While a major bowl appearance is unlikely, the season isn’t lost, and a bowl game remains within reach – though wins will be hard-earned. Here’s a ranking of each remaining game, from most winnable to least.
Assessing WVU’s Path to a Bowl Game
The Mountaineers’ remaining schedule presents a mix of challenges. Several factors, including opponent vulnerabilities and WVU’s own potential for improvement, will determine their fate.
1. Colorado Buffaloes
Facing Deion Sanders’ Colorado squad appears to be the most favorable matchup on the horizon. The Buffaloes are struggling to find offensive consistency following key injuries to stars like Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Jimmy Horn Jr. According to reports, the combination of colorado’s offensive woes and the long road trip to Morgantown could significantly benefit WVU. “They’re scuffling,” one analyst noted, “and traveling across the country is never easy.” WVU may also have a more settled situation at quarterback by the time these teams meet, adding to their chances.
2. UCF Knights
The UCF Knights are proving tough to gauge. They secured wins against Jacksonville State and an FCS opponent, along with a victory over a struggling North Carolina team. However, they’ve faltered in big 12 play, cycling through three different quarterbacks. This offensive instability presents an chance for the Mountaineers, though the Knights remain a formidable opponent.
3. Houston Cougars
A return to Houston evokes painful memories for West Virginia fans – a heartbreaking Hail Mary loss in recent years. However, this year’s Houston Cougars team is a significant improvement over previous iterations. Under Willie fritz, the Cougars boast a strong defense and a developing offense. While a win is possible, it won’t be easy. “houston will have the upper hand,” a source indicated, acknowledging the Cougars’ overall strength.
4. Arizona State Sun Devils
despite being a road game, Arizona State presents a challenging but perhaps surmountable obstacle. Sam Leavitt, the Sun Devils’ quarterback, is currently dealing with an injury, though it’s not believed to be long-term. Winning in tempe is historically difficult, especially against a team playing well. It’s hard to envision WVU pulling off an upset against a Big 12 contender on their home turf.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Mountaineers will likely struggle to keep pace with Josh Hoover and the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ potent passing attack. While WVU’s secondary has shown flashes of competence, recent performances have raised concerns. If the secondary doesn’t improve, Hoover could exploit their weaknesses.
6. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The placement of the home game against Texas Tech below the road game at Arizona State underscores the Red Raiders’ strength. Texas Tech has lived up to the preseason hype, demonstrating a legitimate defense – a rarity for the program in recent years. WVU would require an extraordinary amount of luck to overcome the Red Raiders.
looking ahead, the Mountaineers face a difficult path to bowl eligibility. The remaining schedule is filled with formidable opponents, and the team’s injury situation remains a concern. However,with a few key wins,a postseason appearance is still within reach.
