There’s plenty of excitement about Rich Rodriguez returning to the program he once turned into a powerhouse. But let’s be real, flipping an entire roster with 70 new players isn’t exactly plug-and-play. And Vegas isn’t buying the hype just yet. Every major sportsbook has WVU’s win total set at 5.5, conveniently just under the six wins Neal Brown managed last year before “The Climb” finally collapsed into “A Fall.” Honestly, it tracks. That team looked like it was about to turn the corner… until it didn’t. Now? We have no idea what this team will actually look like. Sure, the Power Spread offense is exciting – but how fast can a roster full of newcomers figure it out and start winning games? READ MORE: Way-Too-Early Picks: WVU’s First Half Outlook
Let’s break down the first half of the season, game by game. Because what’s better than making way-too-early predictions before we even know who the starting quarterback is?
First-Half Predictions
Week 1 – Robert Morris (Aug. 30, Morgantown)
WVU opens the Rich Rodriguez reboot with what we hope is a glorified scrimmage against Robert Morris, an FCS team that has never beaten an FBS opponent. The Colonials went 6 – 4 last season. This should be a comfortable tune-up before the real season begins.
Week 2 – at Ohio (Sept. 6, Athens, OH)
WVU heads to Athens to face a Bobcats squad coming off a great season. Ohio went 11–3 last season, claimed the MAC title, and pulled off its first-ever 11-win season under interim HC Brian Smith. The Bobcats run a spread-option attack that is very effective. WVU should win but it will be a drastic difference in competition compared to Week 1.
Week 3 – Pitt (Sept. 13, Morgantown)
Welcome to the Backyard Brawl. Pitt comes into this one as a 2.5-point favorite, according to both DraftKings and FanDuel. The Panthers started 7–0 last season before the wheels fell off, dropping six straight to finish 7–6, including a chaotic 6-OT bowl loss.
And while last year’s last-second heartbreak still stings, this one feels personal for another reason. It’s been 20 years since the infamous 13–9 loss that ended WVU’s national title hopes and marked the end of Rich Rodriguez’s first run in Morgantown. Call it a revenge game two decades in the making. WVU wins this game at home and the Mountaineers start 3-0 heading into their first conference game.
Week 4 – at Kansas (Sept. 20, Lawrence)
We hit the road to take on the Kansas Jayhawks, not exactly Big 12 heavyweights, but respectable. Kansas went 5–7 in 2024, including a solid 4–5 in conference play, and still showed flashes under QB Jalon Daniels. Expect WVU to be a slight favorite. But this could be a trap as the defense contends with an offense that mixes it up with spread concepts.
WVU takes their first loss here, dropping to 3-1 to start the year.
Week 5 – Utah (Sept. 27, Morgantown)
WVU hosts Utah in their first-ever Big 12 showdown. The Utes are SP+ ranked around 31st and expected to average nearly eight wins this season. Utah is 2–0 all-time vs WVU (1964, 2017) and brings back strong running back depth and a revamped offensive system, but WVU’s complete roster makeover makes this one a wild card. This is a borderline Top 25 team rolling into Morgantown.
The feeling here is a big win for the Mountaineers to go 4-1.
Week 6 – at BYU (Oct. 3, Provo, UT)
This one’s tricky. BYU went 11–2 last season and were supposed to bring back a solid core, with QB Jake Retzlaff and RB LJ Martin. But Retzlaff is expected to transfer after breaking the team’s honor code, leaving the QB position in-flux. Expect a close game with Cougars edging it out in front of a load fanbase. Night games in Provo aren’t fun for most visitors. The Mounties drop to 4-2.
RELATED: West Virginia Football Facing Long Odds From Sportsbooks
Let’s Go!
As a proud card-carrying optimist with rose-colored glasses, I’ve got to believe the Mountaineers can find at least two more wins to hit that six-win mark and beat the odds. We’ll dive deeper into the second half of the schedule once a starting quarterback is named, but for now, matchups against Houston and Arizona State look promising – WVU could be favored in both. Colorado in Morgantown won’t be easy, but it’s winnable. If you’re looking for an early bet: take the over on 5.5 wins this season.
