I woke up feeling a little different about WVU Football (3-0) this morning. The Mountaineers pulled off two big wins despite finishing 4-8 last year, but none had the pull Saturday’s does. Last night’s win over No. 25 Virginia feels like the catalyst for what could be a special season.
With that, the attention turns to Week 4 and what’s now become a marquee matchup. I’ll say it now, WVU vs. Oklahoma State has a “big fight feel” that hasn’t come around Morgantown in quite some time. Read more: Weekend wins set up “big fight feel” for WVU vs. Oklahoma State.
Let me spell it out for you:
Night game.
Milan Puskar Stadium.
Gold Rush.
Undefeated ‘eers.
Big 12 opener.
Formidable(?) opponent.
Sign me up.
How we got here
If you would’ve asked me after Week 1 what weight this game would carry, I’d say a little. That “little” would be solely because it’s a conference game, so it has to mean something. Can you blame me beyond that, though? WVU melted down in the second half against Coastal Carolina, and Oklahoma State lost by TWO touchdowns to Tulsa.
The past two weeks have changed the narrative completely.
It started in Week 2, with the Mountaineers looking much better against UT Martin in a 52-7 drubbing. The Cowboys did the heavy lifting that Saturday, though, upsetting No. 6 Oregon of all teams to end a 20+ game losing streak to FBS teams.
Seriously, OSU has been that bad.
WVU and OSU swapped roles this Saturday, with the Mountaineers pulling the upset against No. 25 Virginia in convincing fashion and the Cowboys blanking Murray State.
Related: WVU wins Duke’s Mayo Classic over No. 25 Virginia in Charlotte, 38-27
The results of this weekend set up what could be a magical night in Morgantown.
The stage is set
We don’t have this conversation if not for quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and company proving their worth under the bright lights. You can beat up on G6 teams all you want, but as O-line coach Rick Trickett said before Saturday’s game, this is big boy football.
They sure played big boy football.
Hawkins accounted for all five of WVU’s touchdowns against a Cavaliers defense which had only allowed 11 points through its first two games. He’s the true definition of a dual-threat QB.
“He [Hawkins] knew exactly what was going on,” head coach Rich Rodriguez said after the Duke’s Mayo Classic. “So I think he grew a lot. I think our offense grew a lot today at certain moments, but Mike was, he’s electric. He’s got a lot of really good football in front of him, too.”
His receivers, backs, offensive line, and defense deserve flowers too.
It was the true definition a full-team effort, and now the biggest test for them is to prepare and do it all over again.
In the other corner is Oklahoma State, led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has dazzled over the past two weeks. From the viral hurdle over an Oregon defender to Heisman numbers (20-22 for 324 yards, five touchdowns) against Murray State, he’s leading a program back to reality.
Mestemaker also has his fellow former North Texas standout, Caleb Hawkins, leading the way in the backfield as one of three 100+ yard rushers. The proof is in the pudding for that offensive line.
Both defenses have room to grow, but have taken strides each week.
If all of this doesn’t get you excited for the upcoming showdown, you need to check your pulse.
Let the fun begin
There’s always the sinking feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop, even after a ranked win for WVU. It seems like every program gets a big win, gets the spotlight, and then curls up and lays an egg. I don’t think that’s the case anymore.
For both of these teams, their ranked wins weren’t strokes of luck — they outperformed their alleged superior counterparts.
It all comes to a head under the bright lights of Milan Puskar Stadium September 26. It’s a venue Oklahoma State has owned for several years thanks to breakout performances from past backs such as Chuba Hubbard (2019) and Ollie Gordon (2023).
The difference is, we’re not trusting the climb these days.
Related: WVU fans arrive in Charlotte: tailgates, Duke’s Mayo Fanfest, and a shovel
Spot the ball, and let’s have a big fight between the Mountaineers and Cowboys.
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That impressive win gives me hope and belief – all I can ask. Go Mountaineers!