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West Virginia Football: Mountaineers shouldn’t be overlooked in 2021

By Phil Poling

AMES, IA - DECEMBER 5: Head coach Neal Brown of the West Virginia Mountaineers argues a call in the first half of the play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on December 5, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - DECEMBER 5: Head coach Neal Brown of the West Virginia Mountaineers argues a call in the first half of the play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on December 5, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Schedule

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Predicting a team’s record is always a tough ask, especially on a game-by-game basis. But trying to factor in injuries and other random occurrences? It’s nearly impossible. We’re going to try anyway, though. Here’s how West Virginia’s 2021 football season lays out.

  • Sept. 4, @ Maryland; Maryland Stadium
  • Sept. 11, vs. Long Island; Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Sept. 18, vs. Virginia Tech; Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Sept. 25, @ Oklahoma; Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
  • Oct. 2, vs. Texas Tech; Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Oct. 9, @ Baylor; McLane Stadium
  • Oct. 23, @ TCU; Amon G. Carter Stadium
  • Oct. 30, vs. Iowa State; Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Nov. 6, vs. Oklahoma State; Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Nov. 13, @ Kansas State; Bill Snyder Family Stadium
  • Nov. 20, vs. Texas; Milan Puskar Stadium
  • Nov. 27, @ Kansas; Memorial Stadium

There are plenty of Power-5 teams that schedule nothing but cupcakes for the non-conference slate, but West Virginia isn’t one of them. With games against Maryland (Big Ten) and Virginia Tech (ACC), the ‘Eers revive old rivalries while also keeping things competitive on the field. They do play Long Island University, a former D-II school, but other than that game, it’s all Power-5 opponents for Neal Brown and the Mountaineers.

Prediction: 6-6 (3-6 Big 12)

The Mountaineers have a sneaky good offense and a re-tooled defense that should carry them through the non-conference slate unblemished. Once Big 12 play starts, though, things get difficult.

Conference play kicks off against Oklahoma, but the schedule following that in October could be just as big of a hurdle. West Virginia plays road games at Baylor and TCU before a home bout with Iowa State. By the time Halloween rolls around, that 3-0 start could turn into a 4-4 record.

The stretch run is just as tough, but the ‘Eers should be able to notch wins against Texas and Kansas after struggling with Oklahoma State and Kansas State. If they’re able to grab two of those games, though, bowl eligibility would be accomplished at 6-6.

Of course, if a player here or there breaks out and steps up for Brown and West Virginia, that 6-6 record could move to 7-5, possibly even 8-4. And that would be an impressive campaign for Brown, who’s coached the ‘Eers to just an 11-11 mark after two seasons. Don’t sleep on this Mountaineer team, though. They could be big-time spoilers when it comes to the College Football Playoff hunt.

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