WVU Football (2-0) heads to Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, for Duke’s Mayo Classic Saturday.
The Mountaineers are off to their best start since 2018. WVU is aiming to keep its perfect streak alive and sweep its non-conference slate for the first time since 2016. Read more: Keys to the game: WVU one win away from first non-conference sweep in ten years
So far, WVU has defeated Coastal Carolina and UT Martin this season. It defeated Missouri, Youngstown State, and BYU (independent at the time) in 2016.
While the Mountaineer faithful are hoping for the first 3-0 start since 2018, WVU faces its biggest challenge yet by way of No. 25 Virginia (2-0) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Read more: WV Sports Nation heads to Charlotte for Duke’s Mayo Classic
Virginia preview
Virginia comes to Charlotte for the neutral-site contest, also aiming to start its season 3-0.
The Cavaliers have been dominant in both of its games this season, only allowing one score to both the NC State Wolfpack and the Norfolk State Spartans.
Virginia opened the season at home against NC State and won 34-8. Norfolk State then traveled to Charlottesville the following week, with Virginia winning, 59-3.
Read more: WVU faces first top 25 test of 2026 against Virginia in Charlotte
The Cavaliers have been effective both offensively and defensively through its first two games. In total, they have scored 11 touchdowns while averaging 439.5 yards on offense per game.
Defensively, Virginia is stopping its opponents’ rush game hard, not allowing either the Wolfpack or the Spartans to reach 100 yards. The Cavaliers also notched two sacks in both games and have four total interceptions.
The Mountaineers have had a great start to the season, but overall, they have to look even better this week to pull off the upset.
Here are three keys to the game for the Mountaineers Saturday.
Do not solely rely on Cam Cook
WVU’s offense has been electric through its first two games, with Cam Cook being a shining star of the offense.
In week one against Coastal Carolina, Cam Cook scored two rushing touchdowns with 142 rushing yards.
In week two, Cook was limited to just 10 carries for 52 yards. He still found the end zone for a touchdown.
In addition to Cook, quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has proven to be mobile, gathering a total of 199 rushing yards through the first two games.
It will be tempting for WVU to keep feeding Cook and take advantage of Hawkins’ speed, but it should not be the Mountaineers sole game plan.
Both NC State and Norfolk State have quality running backs that have racked up good yards in other games. The Cavaliers simply did not allow these rushers to gain much.
While arguably Cook is the best running back Virginia will face this season so far, it would be risky to only give the ball to him and hope it goes differently.
Hawkins is averaging 143 yards per game so far and can keep the Mountaineers a well-rounded team in both the rush and pass game.
It would be wise for the Mountaineers to keep the Cavaliers guessing what its next move on offense will be and spread out its plays.
At the end of the day, WVU should still cater to running the ball. After all, Cook was the nation’s leader in rushing yards in 2025 with 1,659 yards.
That explosive ability is not something a team can just tuck away because a team has been great at stopping the rush through two games.
Score first and keep a foot on the gas
Virginia is an effective first-half team. It scored 24 points before NC State got a touchdown in Week 1 and 21 before Norfolk State’s field goal.
This is a team that attacks quickly and carries that momentum strongly throughout the first half.
WVU has played the same through its first two games. It has scored big early, establishing strong momentum.
Based off how the season has started for both teams, it seems like a strong first half is an advantage. WVU needs to shock Virginia early instead of trying to play catch-up in the second half.
In fact, Coastal Carolina was the better team in the second half in the season opener. It scored 24 points compared to WVU’s seven. That solid first half protected WVU and was essential to its victory.
WVU had a much better showing against UT Martin in the second half. It needs to carry that second-half defensive scheme into its contest against Virginia.
If the Mountaineers can be effective in both halves and hold the lead headed into halftime, they will be in a more comfortable position to upset the Cavaliers.
Keep Pribula contained
WVU has pressured quarterbacks well so far. In total, it has seven sacks this season.
Virginia is more of a pass-first team, with quarterback Beau Pribula averaging 158 passing yards per game.
That can be an advantage for WVU if it can pressure Pribula in big moments.
The Mountaineers only have one interception this season. They need to get to Pribula before he can find his guy.
Virginia also has a strong capability to keep the WVU secondary guessing, as Pribula does not have a particular favorite target.
De’Shawn Martin is the leading receiver with 79 yards, with Xavier Brown under him at 69 yards.
It is important for WVU to keep getting to the QB and racking up sacks, as that is the strongest part of the defense.
Conclusion
This is WVU’s last game before Big 12 play begins. A win feels essential if it wants to keep postseason hopes afloat, even early on.
This past season, WVU went 2-7 in conference play and was projected to be the 13th team in the conference this season.
A 3-0 start will give it more momentum headed into conference play and give the team an edge to becoming bowl eligible.
Not to mention, a win over a top 25 team may change WVU’s outlook in conference play overall.
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