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West Virginia Football: 5 bold predictions for September 2018

By Phil Poling

MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on during the third quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Mountaineer Field on September 9, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia won the game 56-20. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks on during the third quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Mountaineer Field on September 9, 2017 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia won the game 56-20. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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West Virginia football is ranked 17th in the AP poll heading into Week 1. Here are 5 bold predictions for how the Mountaineers will fare in September.

MORE: 5 surprise contributors who’ll boost WVU in 2018

Dana Holgorsen enters his eighth season at the helm of the WVU football program and expectations are high and continuing to climb the closer we get to kickoff. Combined, the ‘Eers return 18 starters on offense and defense, including Heisman-hopeful Will Grier at quarterback and his go-to target David Sills V at wide receiver.

Unlike most of the SEC, West Virginia (along with the rest of the Big 12) actually plays a non-conference schedule that isn’t full of cupcakes and directional schools. The Mountaineers kickoff the 2018 season against three non-conference opponents before getting into Big 12 play; September’s five-game schedule for the ‘Eers is as follows:

Date Opponent Location
Sept. 1 Tennessee Volunteers Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Sept. 8 Youngstown State Penguins Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
Sept. 15 NC State Wolfpack Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Sept. 22 Kansas State Wildcats Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
Sept. 29 Texas Tech Red Raiders Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX

However, the Big 12 is collectively laughed at when comparing their defenses’ to say, the dominant ones of the SEC. And the Mountaineers’ defense is an afterthought heading into the 2018 season with the success surrounding Grier and the offense. But defensive coordinator Tony Gibson might have the best mix of veteran talent and youth since taking over the defense in 2014.

With the return of Yodny Cajuste solidifying Grier’s blind side, the WVU offensive line gets a needed-boost from a veteran along that unit that was sorely missed a season ago. The running game will flourish, not only because of the success from Grier’s arm and the respect he demands in the secondary, but Kennedy McKoy will be known nationally with success on the ground. Ready for some bold predictions for the first month of the season?

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