Sunday Morning Thoughts: The Season Starts Now

Two weeks into the 2023 season and we're exactly where I thought the West Virginia Mountaineers would be. A three-score loss to Penn State and a dominating win over FCS foe, Duquesne.

From the very moment I analyzed the schedule, I stated West Virginia needed to be 2-1 or better through the first three games. Next week, they have a chance to accomplish that small feat with a win over Pitt in the Backyard Brawl.

It's difficult to truly gauge how good/bad this team is given the first two opponents who are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Penn State is loaded with talent and could be a contender for not only a Big Ten championship but perhaps a spot in the College Football Playoff. On the other hand, Duquesne, or any FCS team for that matter, is going to have a difficult time hanging around due to the gap in talent and depth.

Yesterday's game didn't start out well by any means, but the Mountaineers did what they needed to do after the weather delay, winning the game comfortably.

But now, the evaluation of head coach Neal Brown, and this staff, starts. Losing two years in a row to bitter rival Pitt and dropping to 1-2 on the season is not going to please those within the administration. Following the Brawl, West Virginia concludes a three-game home stretch with Texas Tech - a team Neal Brown has failed to defeat since taking over the job in 2019.

The Brawl also marks the start of ten straight games versus Power Five opponents and there's no clear bottom feeder in the Big 12 this year, meaning there are no gimmes left on the docket. Every week is going to be a battle. And by no means does anyone expect West Virginia to win eight, nine, or ten games, but playing competitive football and getting bowl-eligible isn't enough. There have to be true signs of promise in regard to the trajectory of this program.

You want your answer on Neal Brown, Wren? You're about to get it.

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on X:

Facebook - @MountaineersNow

X - @MountaineersNow and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.

Add us as a preferred source on Google