3 Guys Before The Game

The West Virginia Mountaineers and Kansas Jayhawks open Big 12 Conference play on Saturday and no one really knows what to expect. Both teams won their opening game, lost while playing poorly in their second game, and posted surprisingly easy wins over teams from the ACC last Saturday.

So what should fans from both teams expect this week? The fellas discuss offense, defense, special teams, and the Les Miles factor. The guys also reveal the intriguing story of WVU defensive coordinator Vic Koenning and Kansas offensive coordinator Les Koenning. Yes, they're related but they don't agree on how you say Koenning.

Those topics and more on episode 140 of Three Guys Before The Game.

Saturday's victory over North Carolina State opened an entirely new view of Neal Brown's first Mountaineer football team. The listless group that was overmatched at Missouri blossomed into an aggressive and fun to watch team against the Wolfpack.

The game produced a long list of firsts and whetted the appetite for fans looking for the next generation of WVU standouts.

Hoppy Kercheval, Brad Howe and Tony Caridi dissect the win and its significance with Big 12 play starting Saturday. The guys also take listener questions and pay homage to Gerald; the goat watching former high school football star.

It's been 40 years since North Carolina State played a football game in Morgantown. On Saturday they'll meet a West Virginia team that has spent much of the last week in an introspective mode.

Last week's loss at Missouri was convincing, and has led to personnel changes and demands for improved toughness and focus. Saturday's date with the Wolfpack will generate a report card on the state of WVU football before Big 12 play begins next weekend.

Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval and Tony Caridi examine the WVU preparation, preview NC State, and answer listener questions.

The guys return on Monday with a recap of WVU's Gold Rush date with NC State.

Two games into the 2019 season and it's obvious the Mountaineer football team has more questions than answers.

Saturday's 38-7 setback at Missouri evoked memories of West Virginia's 37-0 shutout loss to Maryland in 2013. It was a game in which nothing seemed to go right.

The "Guys" share their thoughts and take listener questions. They also wonder aloud how long it will take for WVU to find efficiency and productivity. Will it happen this Saturday, will it happen this season?

Those topics and more on the Missouri edition of Three Guys Before The Game.

How much can the Mountaineer football team improve in the span of seven days? It's the question that will ultimately dictate the outcome of Saturday's trip to Missouri.

Neal Brown's squad rallied to beat James Madison last week, while Missouri suffered a stunning upset loss at Wyoming. How will the Tigers respond after a week of criticism from a fan base that had been hoping for an 8-0 start? For the second straight week, the Tigers are a double-digit favorite.

Rushing the football has been the hottest topic in Mountaineer Nation this week. Will the Mountaineers find a way to rush the football? If not, how does WVU score points?

Those topics and more are discussed by Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval and Tony Caridi on episode 136 of Three Guys Before The Game.

What did we learn about the 2019 West Virginia football team in Saturday's opener?

As predicted by the predictors, the game was close. WVU was favored by seven points and won by exactly that margin.

Although much of what we saw Saturday was expected in the growing pains department, there were some surprises; both good and bad.

The fellas (Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval and Tony Caridi) jump in with a complete breakdown of offense, defense, and special teams. They'll return on Thursday with a preview of Saturday's Mountaineer matchup at Missouri.

The dress rehearsals are complete. At long last it's time for the Neal Brown era to formally begin.

What are the biggest challenges and keys for the Mountaineers in Saturday's opener against FCS title contender James Madison?

The "Guys" pull the hood open for a close look and answer listener questions. Somehow they were also able to incorporate Rumpelstiltskin and the Powell Mountain goat in their discussion.

They'll return on Monday for a recap of Saturday's sold-out opener.

A dangerous challenge awaits the Mountaineer football team as the Neal Brown era begins on Saturday. The visiting James Madison Dukes aren't coming to Morgantown for a typical FCS payday. JMU is ranked second in the nation and considered by some as the favorite to win a national championship.

Fresh faces will abound on the sidelines as Brown opposes former WVU quarterback Curt Cignetti. Each has head coaching experience, but Saturday will truly be historic for both men.

How good are the Dukes? The guys talk with James Madison color analyst Clint Estes to get an insider's view. Estes doesn't think the Dukes have any glaring weaknesses.

Brad, Hoppy and Tony also analyze WVU's depth chart which was released for the first time on Monday morning.

Those details and more come your way on episode 133 of Three Guys Before The Game.

The guys return Thursday with their final preview of WVU and JMU.

No matter the game sport is dictated by numbers.

With the 2019 Mountaineer football season about to begin the number speculation has reached its peak. How many games will WVU win? How many points will the Mountaineers score per game? Name the category and the number speculation will follow.

On this episode, Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval and Tony Caridi discuss the over/under scenarios on several categories that will be extremely important for the Mountaineers this season.

The fellas also handle some listener submitted questions that range from football to basketball.

The guys return on Monday with their James Madison preview.

The decision has been made. Austin Kendall, the quarterback who once started a game against West Virginia, will be West Virginia’s starting quarterback in the season opener against James Madison.

Coach Neal Brown’s announcement was the highlight of a comprehensive overview of his team during Tuesday’s press conference, which signals the end of preseason camp.

Brad Howe, Hoppy Kercheval and Tony Caridi break down the much anticipated quarterback decision and dive into other personnel news and notes.