Between The Eers: The Reason Why West Virginia Has QB Controversy

In this story:
As we enter Week 3, the West Virginia Mountaineers still have a lot of uncertainty at the quarterback position. Nicco Marchiol didn't play well, and the numbers suggest that. Many are pointing the finger at the offensive line, and while they didn't play well either, the majority of their issues were in the run game and not pass protection.
Last week, Marchiol ranked 37th in the FBS in average time to throw (minimum 20 dropbacks), which is higher than Pitt's Eli Holstein, who threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns on a MAC defense.
When there was pressure, Marchiol didn't have the ability to evade it and make something happen. The fact that he's the guy Rich Rodriguez trusts most is problematic when the offensive line can't be relied on.
Where do they go from here? Will it be Marchiol again? Jaylen Henderson? Max Brown? Or maybe one of the young pups?
"No, I'm not naming anything because we've got a long week of doing practice and evaluating our guys," Rodriguez said. "I thought Jaylen (Henderson), we were looking for a little spark, and the best play he had, we got called back because of a penalty. He got a couple of series there, but he's still in the mix, as is some of those other guys. We'll see."
On today's episode of Between The Eers, I break down Marchiol's struggles vs. Ohio and predict what the plan will be vs. Pitt.
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:
Panic Mode for WVU? What's the Plan Without Jahiem White?
West Virginia Has Major Issues at Quarterback
How West Virginia Can Survive on the Road vs. Ohio
Will We See More of Freshman QB Scotty Fox in 2025?
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
ESPN FPI Flips on Backyard Brawl as WVU’s Chances Drop Sharply After Ohio Loss
WVU Releases Depth Chart for Pitt Game with Changes at RB and WR After Injuries
Beer Cans and Batteries? Pitt QB Holstein Explains What He Was Told About WVU Crowd
Quick Hits: QB Situation, Pitt Hatred, Injury Update, RB Options + More
Who Starts at QB for West Virginia vs. Pitt? Rodriguez Isn’t Saying Yet

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.
Follow Callihan_