West Virginia’s opener against No. 8 Penn State is now just a week away, kicking off their 2024 season.
The Mountaineers finished above expectations last year, going 8-4 in the regular season and picking up a win over UNC in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Our staff predicts how WVU will perform this season, their record and team MVP.
Ryan Roddy:
Record Prediction: 9-3
Team MVP: Sean Martin
This may be the most talented and hyped-up West Virginia squad during Neal Brown’s tenure in Morgantown so far. Last year the Mountaineers used being picked to finish last in the Big 12 conference, at No. 14, for motivation and finished with a successful stepping stone season. Now WVU wants it all in 2024, having their eyes set on the Big 12 championship. I believe that West Virginia’s week-one game against the Nittany Lions can go one of two ways. One, the Mountaineer Faithful plays into the outcome, lifting them to an upset victory. Or two, PSU walks into Morgantown unfazed and takes care of business in their season opener. The next two games, home against FCS UAlbany and away at Pitt for the Backyard Brawl, should pose little trouble for the Mountaineers. UAlbany won’t be able to keep up with WVU at home and West Virginia fans will travel well will to Acrisure Stadium, defeating Pitt who I predict will be in another down year. From there, the next five games will be the gauntlet for the Mountaineers, where I predict they’ll lose three out of those five games. One of the toughest games in that five-game slate will be on the road in Tucson, to face currently ranked No. 21 Arizona. Then, I have West Virginia winning their final four games, giving them momentum heading into bowl season.
The biggest factor that plays into WVU’s 2024 season as a whole, in my opinion, is their defense. We all know what their offense is capable of, with a solid offensive line, Garrett Greene under center, CJ Donaldson, Jahiem White in the backfield and a wide receiver corps that has only got better. Their defense, however, could be inconsistent. In an attempt to bolster the defense this offseason, head coach Neal Brown and staff added a boatload of transfers on that side of the ball. I am also intrigued by how Rodney Gallagher will play on that side of the ball, but a player I am predicting to have a huge year is defensive lineman Sean Martin. Martin, an ins-state product from Kenova, has his best season of his career as a sophomore in 12 games in 2022, where he posted 34 total tackles (17 solo), including eight tackles for loss and four sacks, he also forced a fumble. While he didn’t have the same success last season, I’m expecting it to be trending up for Martin as a senior in 2024. Martin could create immense pressure and force a quarterback to make an arant decision, but also could be a force in stopping the run game. I believe if Martin plays to his abilities and potential, the 6-foot-5 295-pound defensive lineman can finish top-20 in the FBS in both tackles-for-loss and sacks.
Korey Moore:
Record Prediction: 8-4
Team MVP: Aubrey Burks
As is everything in the Big 12, many of West Virginia’s matchups are up in the air right now. The only game that I have WVU losing now that I expect to not fluctuate on is its home game against Rocco Becht and Iowa State. The Cyclones have one of the strongest offensive lines in the Big 12, Becht is more proven as a passing threat than Garrett Greene, and his options, offensive line, and talent have only improved in the offseason. Overall, though, West Virginia’s game-by-game success will be heavily influenced by momentum, which the Mountaineers seem to have in ample supply entering the year. A loss to Penn State should not hurt that momentum, which gives me confidence in games against Kansas and Oklahoma State, but WVU’s momentum will be only as impactful to outcomes as its opponents’ momentum. In situations where both are evenly matched, the Mountaineers will have to rely on consistency, which should be provided by the offensive line and the team’s thorough offensive depth, as well as strategic advantage. For that reason, Burks earns my MVP as a representative of WVU’s new approach to the secondary.
Anthony Wilson is as good of a safety option as ever, and if a young player like Josiah Jackson can rise to his level while transfers Garnett Hollis Jr. and Ayden Garnes get the job done at cornerback, ShaDon Brown’s unit will be a force to be reckoned with. Whether or not that dream comes to fruition, though, comes down to Burks, who will be slotting in at SPEAR this season while providing his expertise in practice, and potentially on the field sometimes, at cat safety. With Burks’ unique ability to adjust and adapt along with his vocal leadership in a room now encompassing much of the most impactful players for WVU, I see him becoming the biggest contributor in an area that will give the Mountaineers their competitive edge this year. A strong secondary may not win games by itself, though it can probably give WVU a couple in this year’s schedule, and a senior version of Garrett Greene may be able to win some games all through offense. Regardless, this new approach being successful is absolutely necessary if West Virginia wants to remain a top contender in the Big 12 this season.
Tanner Mountz
Record Prediction: 9-3
Team MVP: Garrett Greene
It has been quite some time since there has been as much anticipation around a WVU football season. Opening up against a regional top-10 rival in Penn State certainly helps build the excitement around campus and fans, but this season holds a lot more potential than that. For the first time in what feels like awhile, the Big 12 Conference is wide open. With Texas and Oklahoma in the SEC, there is an opening for top dog in the Big 12. WVU could have the potential to fill that role. The weight of the team is going to fall mostly on returning QB, Garrett Greene. I truly believe the team goes as far as GG will take them. Everyone knows the run game will be dominant and explosive. The weapons for Greene are improved, the defense has added reinforcements, and the offensive line will give him time to make throws. Greene will just have to make them.
The issues that come with this year will be the schedule for WVU, unlike last year, the Mountaineers will have to take on some ranked teams including Arizona and Oklahoma State on the road. Other teams like Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State will all be tough home games as well. It should be stated however that going into last season the Mountaineers also had one of the hardest schedules in the country but with the Big 12 underachieving it became very favorable. Fans should wait to see what happens leading up to the weeks those teams take on those ranked opponents.
I truly believe that Mountaineers have a legitimate shot at knocking off Penn State week one. WIth one of the largest crowds and the national spotlight on Morgantown, there will be lots of energy backing the Gold and Blue. I believe the Mountaineers will keep it close and get the job done in the closing minutes and start the year 3-0. The struggle will come in the beginning of Big 12 play with a very tough five game stretch from Kansas to Arizona. If WVU can come out of those five games with one to two losses, I truly believe the Mountaineers could make the Big 12 Championship if those five games go well. However I see losses to Kansas State, Arizona, and Oklahoma State keeping WVU from getting to the playoffs. If Garrett Greene plays like WVU fans know he can, the sky is the limit for this WVU team.
