West Virginia beat North Carolina 30-10 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Thursday, dismantling the Tar Heels in Charlotte.
The victory gave West Virginia nine wins on the season, and even with North Carolina missing multiple pieces, they were ranked in the top-ten at one point this season. Now, West Virginia holds a bowl victory over them in their backyard, beating them soundly on Wednesday.
“I really feel like we should end the season in the top 25, we’ve earned that right. I’ve got a vote and I’ll vote us in,” West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said.
The argument for Brown is an easy one. Picked to finish last in his, conference, they end up fourth, and with nine wins. This was only the second time West Virginia reached the nine-win mark since they joined the Big 12, and they are the 19th team in program history to achieve nine wins.
Not only that though, Brown returns the majority of his team. That includes starting quarterback Garrett Greene along with a talented offensive line and multiple weapons on offense as well as starters on defense.
“And then as we go into the 2024 season, I think we’re a team that will be preseason in the top 25, we return a lot and I’m excited about that,” Brown said.
West Virginia being ranked or unranked to end 2023 does not change much. There is momentum in Morgantown and Brown is fully recognizing that.
