West Virginia Football: 5 keys to winning out in 2023

Oct 12, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /
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West Virginia football currently has a record of 6-4 overall and are 4-3 in Big 12 play. With two games left on the regular-season schedule, just how can the Mountaineers reach their first seven-plus win season in the Neal Brown era?

Let’s take a look at five keys to the Mountaineers winning their two remaining games against conference-newcomer Cincinnati at home and on the road against the Baylor Bears.

Winning out would get the Mountaineers to 6-3 in conference play. Not bad considering they were picked to finish 14th out of 14 teams in the preseason poll.

1. Continue dominance in the run game 

The last time the Mountaineers were at home they hosted the BYU Cougars on Nov. 4. West Virginia racked up 336 rushing yards on 48 carries which was good for 7.0 yards per rush. This tremendous rushing attack helped lead the Mountaineers to a 37-7 victory over BYU.

It’s no secret that the Mountaineers find their identity in their running game given, they have now eclipsed 140 rushing yards in 12 straight games, which leads all teams in the Power Five.

As the rushing attack goes, so go the Mountaineers. If West Virginia is able to beat the struggling Cincinnati Bearcats and Baylor Bears, it will be because quarterback Garrett Greene and the running backs had their way behind their extremely talented offensive line.

Against BYU, Jahiem White led the way with 146 yards on 16 carries and CJ Donaldson Jr. went for 102 yards and two touchdowns in his 14 carries. This dynamic-duo will have to continue to be effective if the Mountaineers want any chance of going 8-4 on the season.