Country Roads Confidential: A WVU Mountaineers podcast

The 2019 football season was about change, from the top of the program to the top row of the bleachers and everyone and everything in between. Covering the team on a daily basis was part of that, and it was sometimes slightly and sometimes significantly different this year and it was before. Chris and Mike discuss what was new, what was good, what was interesting and what might be different again in the future.

With strict parameters in place, Chris and Mike close the decade by looking back on WVU football through the years. Today's episode picks and, of course, debates the top players at each position.

With strict parameters in place, Chris and Mike close the decade by looking back on WVU football through the years. Today's episode picks and, of course, debates the top players at each position.

All the FBS coaching vacancies are filled, and right in time for today's guest to kick up his feet and enjoy the holidays ... for as long as his phone will let him. Join Mike and Zach Barnett from FootballScoop.com for a trip around the industry, trends to look for in the future, thoughts on Neal Brown and how Mike can make it to the top of a program in five short years.

Neal Brown's first signing date has arrived, and the West Virginia coach closed strong with expected and coveted signatures. Chris and Mike review the day's events, detail the top players, trends and storylines and anticipate what's next for the Mountaineers.

West Virginia University Law student Tyler Gordon, fresh off his Dr. Pepper Challenge win and $100,000 in tuition prize, joins the podcast to discuss his journey to Indianapolis, his strategy leading up to the competition, what it was like to win, and then a full-on discussion about Mountaineer football and his Trust The Climb mentality.

We're two weeks from Christmas and one week from the first day of the early signing period ... which has quickly become the main signing period. Chris and Mike discuss how WVU will finish, what happens during an official visit, where the roster needs a boost, what kind of player can help the most and how quickly things may change. In addition, the basketball team took its first loss, but there's still a lot to like, including the one thing Mike likes the most.

At long last, basketball takes has the stage at WVU. The Mountaineers are undefeated but also unranked, and that's OK. Don't listen to the RPI, which rates WVU No. 1 and a has a sleeper at No. 2. Chris and Mike then tackle two big questions about how to build the proper WVU team and wonder whether Derek Culver should start or come off the bench. The episode closes with some football and a look at the upcoming all-Big 12 announcements and recruiting expectations.

Neal Brown punctuated his initial season in charge of West Virginia’s football program with a 20-17 win over TCU. The Mountaineers accomplished many things they had not done in similar situations before and kept the Horned Frogs from reaching a bowl game. What does this do for the present and the future? What type of difference did Jarret Doege make? How can WVU polish strengths and work on weaknesses? Oh, and is basketball good? All that and more in tonight’s episode!

It's a short week at WVU, but it's a busy one, too. Chris and Mike (with a cameo by a dead bird!) look ahead to the final football game of the season and what to expect against TCU and what to look for in the future. Gary Patterson takes away what an opposing offense does best, which makes WVU kind of tricky. Can the offensive line improve in the offseason? How much of a gap will exist between that group and the rest of the 2020 offense? The Mountaineers can win the Cancun Challenge, but they or Northern Iowa will blink first in tonight's game. And Logan Routt must be on call in Mexico and perhaps beyond.