The Walk Thru Game Day Show: West Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina Preview + Prediction

We had our own "walk thru" last week with the preseason kickoff special to prepare us for today — the first official episode of year eight of The Walk Thru Game Day Show. Former West Virginia RB Eugene Napoleon joined me to go in-depth about this week's season opener against Coastal Carolina.

The Rundown

Segment 1: Could West Virginia be a Big 12 sleeper in 2026?

Most expect this to be a fight for bowl eligibility type of year for the Mountaineers. But with how the beginning of the Big 12 slate sets up, two games against first-year coaches and a two-game homestand with Arizona and Cincinnati, could West Virginia find itself in the Big 12 title conversation midway through the season?

Segment 2: The legacy of Pat White

Before the game on Saturday, West Virginia will retire Pat White's No. 5 jersey, unofficially, that is. WR Jaden Bray will wear it this season, but after him, that's it. We discuss our memories of Pat's playing days and all of the great things that he did as a Mountaineer.

Segment 3: Trivia

Pat White introduced himself to the college football world in a triple OT winner vs. Louisville in 2005. But which opponent did he make his collegiate debut against?

A: Wofford
B: Syracuse
C: East Carolina

Segment 4: Napoleon's Dynamite/Players to Watch

Eugene gives a suprise pick for his Week 1 Napoleon's Dynamite, while I highlight the players to watch for Coastal Carolina and one Mountaineer.

Segment 5: West Virginia vs. Coastal Carolina Game Preview

What can we expect from West Virginia defensively? We breakdown Coastal's top playmakers and likely starting QB Deuce Bailey, who comes over with Ryan Beard from Missouri State. Offensively, we talk about what the workload should ideally look like for Cam Cook and what Mike Hawkins Jr. needs to show in his first start as a Mountaineer.

Segment 6: Week 1 Pick'ems

Baylor vs. Auburn, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC (Atlanta, GA)
Clemson at 11 LSU, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
UCLA at Cal, 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
24 Louisville vs. 9 Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC (Nashville, TN)
Coastal Carolina at West Virginia, 12 p.m. ET on TNT

If you haven't yet, head on over to our YouTube page, West Virginia On SI (@SI_WVU), and drop your picks in the comment section. If you nail all five, you will win an autographed picture from Eugene Napoleon. Also, while you are there, hit that subscribe button. You'll get a notification the second a new episode of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru GameDay Show, or Mountaineer Postgame drops.

Football season show schedule:

Between The Eers: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
The Walk Thru GameDay Show: Thursdays (starting Week 2
Mountaineer Postgame Show: Immediately after the game

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