Between The Eers: Can West Virginia Be College Football's Biggest Surprise in 2025?

Discussing whether or not the Mountaineers can be this year's Indiana or Arizona State.

Will West Virginia Be This Year's Biggest Surprise in College Football?

West Virginia isn't expected to do much of anything in the first year of the Rich Rod era 2.0, but there are some fans who hope they can be this year's Indiana or Arizona State, coming out of absolutely nowhere, stunning the college football world, and making the playoff.

While they certainly could do that, the comparison to Indiana doesn't really line up well. The Hoosiers had a very easy, almost cupcake-like schedule a year ago and were able to stroll their way into the playoffs because of it. They played one ranked opponent in the regular season in Ohio State, and got humbled.

West Virginia's 2025 slate is not the same walk in the park as Indiana's was in 2024. They have two ranked opponents already on the schedule in Arizona State and Texas Tech, and a few others could be ranked, such as BYU, TCU, and Utah.

Arizona State, to me, is the better comparison for WVU, but it's a two-step process, unlike the first-year magic Curt Cignetti brewed up in Bloomington. The Sun Devils went 3-9 in year one under Kenny Dillingham, and then turned into the Big 12 champ in year two. I don't see 3-9 happening for the Mountaineers, but they'll have their fair share of struggles.

On today's episode of Between The Eers, I discuss why there shouldn't be an expectation in terms of a win total for the Mountaineers this fall and why year two could be when something special happens.

If you haven't yet, please go over to our YouTube page, West Virginia On SI (@SI_WVU), and subscribe. You'll get a notification the second a new episode of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru GameDay Show, or Mountaineer Postgame drops.

Recent Between The Eers episodes:

Is There a Legit Five-Man QB Battle at WVU?

Progress Report: Where is WVU Football After First Scrimmage?

WVU Football Transfer News and Eligibility Update

Buy Stock Now! WVU Will Return to National Spotlight Under Rich Rodriguez

West Virginia Has the Most Dominant Backfield in the Big 12

Football season show schedule:

Between The Eers: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays

The Walk Thru GameDay Show: Thursdays

Mountaineer Postgame: Immediately after the game

MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI

WVU Football's Depth Chart is Far From Being Set in Stone Despite What You've Seen

Jaylan Knighton Removed from WVU Roster — What It Means for the RB Room Battle

Three Reasons Why WVU May Air It Out More Than You Expect in 2025

Quick Hits: Ideal Tempo, QB Mistakes, Playing Through Bumps and Bruises + More

West Virginia's Opponent Revealed for the 2025 Charleston Classic