Schuyler Callihan's 2023 WVU Football Game-by-Game Predictions

Predicting each game on the 2023 WVU football schedule.

Year five of the Neal Brown era is just a little over one month away from getting underway so with that in mind, I thought it would be a good time to bust out my 2023 game-by-game predictions. Have a look below!

9/2 at Penn State - Loss (0-1)

This is a tough task for WVU right out of the gate. I think they'll compete and keep this one closer than most expect, but it's not an environment I can see the Mountaineers winning in.

9/9 vs. Duquesne - Win (1-1)

West Virginia by 50.

9/16 vs. Pitt - Win (2-1)

The Backyard Brawl could prove to be a pivotal point in the season for Neal Brown. If they enter this matchup 1-1 and lose to Pitt for a second straight year, there's going to be a lot of pressure on the administration to make a change mid-season if things were to spiral out of control. But I don't see that happening. WVU should have won the game last year with arguably not as talented of a team. I'll take the Mountaineers getting their revenge.

9/23 vs. Texas Tech - Loss (2-2, 0-1)

Texas Tech has Neal Brown's number for whatever reason. The big problem is, the Red Raiders are actually expected to compete for a top four or so spot in the conference this year whereas in year's past, that wasn't the case. Coming off an emotional win over Pitt, WVU comes out a little sluggish and can't overcome a slow start.

9/30 at TCU - Loss (2-3, 0-2)

Sonny Dykes hit lightning in a bottle last year in the transfer portal. Can they have similar success after losing so many starters? Probably not. That being said, Amon G. Carter is a tough place to play and by this point in the schedule, TCU's offense should be humming with Chandler Morris, who began last season as the starting QB.

10/12 at Houston - Win (3-3, 1-2)

I could see this going either way, I really can. Dana, Tony Mathis, Mike O'Laughlin, Sam Brown, and Noah Guzman will all be out to prove something against their former team. Getting the extra time off will benefit WVU against what is supposed to be one of the weakest rosters in the Big 12.

10/21 vs. Oklahoma State - Win (4-3, 2-2)

Oklahoma State lacks offensive firepower and their defense is nothing to write home about. With this being homecoming and the Mountaineers having eight full days in between games, I feel pretty good about their chances here.

10/28 at Central Florida - Loss (4-4, 2-3)

UCF or Central Florida, whatever the heck they want to be called, has already announced this game as a sellout. The Bounce House will be rocking and although the Knights don't have a reliable two-deep, they have some quality starters in that secondary that can cause trouble. This is one of those games WVU lets slip through its fingers.

11/4 vs. BYU - Win (5-4, 3-3)

Two very evenly matched teams here. It won't be the most exciting game to watch from an offensive perspective considering both will want to run the ball to death, but it'll be a good contest throughout. WVU's defenses forces a couple turnovers and wins by a slim margin.

11/11 at Oklahoma - Loss (5-5, 3-4)

West Virginia finally got the monkey off their back last year by defeating the Sooners for the first time since joining the Big 12. They lost five one-score games a year ago, four of which were by three points. They went through a lot of ups and downs in year one under Brent Venables, but don't expect that to carry over to 2023. They will figure things out and be a player for a spot in the Big 12 title game.

11/18 vs. Cincinnati - Win (6-5, 4-4)

The Bearcats aren't the same team they were a couple years ago when they went to the College Football Playoff. They're undergoing a massive overhaul with both coaches and players. It's going to take quite a bit of time to build that program back up. 

11/25 at Baylor - Loss (6-6, 4-5)

I can see West Virginia competing in this one despite Baylor fighting for a top spot in the Big 12. However, I don't see them actually pulling this one out. Dave Aranda is one of the best defensive minds in the country and will present a muddy picture for Garrett Greene.

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