I think it’s safe to say excitement is building fast for West Virginia’s upcoming football season. The return of Rich Rodriguez has injected fresh hope into the program that the Mountaineers can climb back to the heights they reached during his first stint two decades ago. Read More: Burn After Winning: WVU’s 2025 Couch Rating Schedule
RichRod himself seems energized, cracking jokes and leaning into the moment during radio and podcast appearances. One thing’s for sure: the WVU fan base is as passionate as ever. And when you mix that passion with a big-time win (and maybe a few beverages), things can get unruly in Morgantown.
Sure, we’re known for singing John Denver loud enough to register on the Richter scale and turning “Sweet Caroline” into a roast of Pitt. But there’s one fiery tradition that stands above the rest. One that’s become legendary, infamous, and uniquely WVU.
“I heard there’s a city ordinance against it. But if we win a big game this year, my ass is burning a couch, said Rodriguez at Big 12 Media Day. “I’m going to pay the fine ahead of time or something. I don’t care.”
Hey, if the Superette can make a comeback in Sunnyside, then why can’t Rich Rodriguez take a celebratory stroll down Grant Avenue and light up a couch after a big win? Seems only fair.
But let’s be honest, not every game is worthy of full-blown furniture arson. So, let’s take a look at the 2025 schedule and break it down, week by week, using my official Couch Rating Scale (1–5). Because some wins spark a cheer… and others spark a bonfire.
The Official Scale:
- 1 Couch: Meh. Expected win. Maybe burn a Yankee Candle.
- 2 Couches: Decent victory. Light the grill, not the furniture.
- 3 Couches: Conference juice. Fire trucks circle the block.
- 4 Couches: Rivalry, ranked, or statement win. Mayhem in Morgantown
- 5 Couches: All-time upset. Light it up like it’s 2007.
Related: Way-Too-Early Picks: WVU’s First Half Outlook
Ring of Fire
Aug 30 – Robert Morris (Home)
Couch Rating: 0.5
If you light a couch for this, you’re on a watchlist. Just wave politely and hydrate.
Sep 6 – at Ohio
Couch Rating: 1
A sneaky trip to Athens, but, still, if couches burn here, it’s from boredom, not celebration.
Sep 13 – Pitt (Home)
Couch Rating: 4.5
The Backyard Brawl returns to Morgantown. Win this and burn it all. Rivalry madness + RichRod revenge? Perfection.
Sep 20 – at Kansas
Couch Rating: 1
Unless Kansas morphs into a playoff team again, this is just business as usual. Couches stay seated.
Sep 27 – Utah (Home)
Couch Rating: 3.5
New Big 12 blood, and Utah is no joke. A win here would turn heads and possibly light fire barrels in Sabraton.
Oct 3 (Friday) – at BYU
Couch Rating: 3
Late-night Friday kickoff in Provo. You win in Utah against those fans and you get to torch at least two IKEA sectionals and a loveseat.
Oct 18 – at UCF
Couch Rating: 2
It’s not a rivalry, but it’s always weird. A needed road win? Maybe a couple cushions on the porch go missing.
Oct 25 – TCU (Home – Homecoming)
Couch Rating: 3
TCU has Big 12 respect. Win this on Homecoming? We’re at medium blaze. Alumni start tipping furniture.
Nov 1 – at Houston
Couch Rating: 2
A business trip. Not a burn-the-house-down kind of game – unless it saves bowl eligibility. Then? Boom.
Nov 8 – Colorado (Home)
Couch Rating: 4
Deion Sanders in Morgantown? Are you kidding me? If Coach Prime gets humbled on Mountaineer Field? Every futon within five miles is kindling.
Nov 15 – at Arizona State
Couch Rating: 2
Desert road game, possible trap. Good win, but not total couch combustion. Maybe just a recliner.
Nov 29 – Texas Tech (Home – Senior Day)
Couch Rating: 3
End of the regular season, emotions are high. If bowl eligibility or a ranking is on the line, this is a 3-alarm fire… and a 3-couch finale.
