Morgantown has been a place of uncertainty in recent years, especially with Neal Brown at the helm of West Virginia University's football program. After enduring three losing seasons in his first four years, it seemed like Brown's time as head coach was on borrowed time. Many fans and analysts, myself included, were already speculating about potential replacements as the 2023 season loomed.
But then, something unexpected happened.
West Virginia defied the odds, finishing the 2023 regular season with an impressive 8-4 record. The Mountaineers capped off their turnaround year with a dominant bowl victory over North Carolina, securing their best win total since the 10-win campaign in 2016. This unexpected success was the first clear indication that Neal Brown might finally have the program on the right track. The next crucial step was retaining key players, and for the second consecutive offseason, WVU managed to keep almost all of its core roster intact, with the exception of defensive linemen Mike Lockhart and Tomiwa Durojaiye.
Looking at the 2024 roster, there's a palpable sense of optimism in Morgantown. Garrett Greene returns as the starting quarterback, and backup Nicco Marchiol has another year to develop before potentially taking the reins in 2025. The Mountaineers boast one of the most explosive rushing duos in Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson, who are worth using College Football 25 Coins, with a deep bench of talent behind them. The receiving corps is young but promising, led by underclassmen Traylon Ray, Rodney Gallagher III, and Hudson Clement, with the potential addition of DayDay Farmer. On defense, WVU is beginning to build quality depth at every level, a sign that the team is preparing for sustained success.
There's now a legitimate path for West Virginia to contend not just for a Big 12 title in 2024, but for years to come. However, one opportunity stands out as a potential catalyst for accelerating this progress: beating No. 8 Penn State in the season opener. While it's just one game in a twelve-game regular season, a victory over Penn State would send a powerful message—that the hype surrounding WVU is not just talk.
All eyes will be on this matchup, especially with FOX's Big Noon Kickoff broadcasting live from Morgantown. In the same time slot, Georgia and Clemson will face off in the Aflac Kickoff, but a WVU upset over Penn State would undoubtedly steal the spotlight. Such a win would generate significant national attention, bolstering WVU's reputation and providing a substantial boost to the coaching staff's efforts on the recruiting trail.
But a victory over Penn State would be just the beginning. The momentum gained from such a high-profile win needs to carry through the rest of the non-conference schedule and into Big 12 play. If WVU can ride that wave of success, make a legitimate run at the Big 12 Championship, and perhaps even earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, the 2024 season could be remembered as the turning point—the year when the Mountaineers truly established themselves as perennial contenders in the Big 12.
In conclusion, Neal Brown's WVU tenure, once marred by inconsistency and underperformance, now appears to be on the brink of something special. The 2023 season provided a much-needed spark, but the true test lies ahead. Beating Penn State in the season opener could be the ultimate turning point, setting the stage for West Virginia to reassert itself as a powerhouse in college football. If the Mountaineers can seize this moment, the future in Morgantown could be brighter than anyone anticipated just a year ago.
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