Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

WVU Football heads to Ames for a huge Big 12 matchup with Iowa State. After the Oklahoma State loss, can West Virginia bounce back and prove that was simply one bad night?

We break down WVU offense vs. Iowa State defense, WVU’s pass rush, the running game, third downs, key X-factors and the matchups that could decide the game. Plus, the Beardologi Prediction Model gives us the projected spread, O/U, final score and win probability.

And we debut THE BLIND SIDE — the numbers and context hiding beneath the box score.

Was Oklahoma State a fluke? Now go prove it.

#WVU #WVUFootball #HailWV #TrustTheBeard

WVU Football is under the lights in Morgantown for the GOLD RUSH!

West Virginia welcomes Oklahoma State to Milan Puskar Stadium for a huge Big 12 matchup, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know before kickoff.

Can Rich Rodriguez and the West Virginia Mountaineers keep the momentum rolling? Can Michael Hawkins and the WVU offense take advantage of the Oklahoma State defense? And can Zac Alley’s Mountaineer defense slow down Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys’ high-volume offense?

In this episode of Trust The Beard, we go deep inside the numbers for WVU vs Oklahoma State, including offensive and defensive matchups, rushing and passing efficiency, turnover margin, strength of schedule, third-down performance, red-zone efficiency, sacks, pressure rates and the biggest X-factors that could decide this game.

Then we put it all through the Beardologi Prediction Model and compare the results with the Vegas spread, over/under and ESPN Matchup Predictor before revealing my official WVU vs Oklahoma State score prediction.

Can the Mountaineers protect home field and make another statement?

West Virginia Football just made a statement in Charlotte, knocking off No. 25 Virginia 38-27 — and it feels GOOD to be a Mountaineer again.

Welcome to FROM THE COUCH: No Stats. Just Feelings.

This isn’t the prediction model. This isn’t a deep statistical breakdown. This is a WVU fan reacting to what we just watched and what this win could mean for Rich Rodriguez and the West Virginia Mountaineers moving forward.

West Virginia is 3-0, coming off a ranked win, knocking on the door of the AP Top 25, and beginning to look like a football team developing a real identity.

Maybe this rebuild — or reload — is further along than we thought.

Now the question becomes: Can WVU carry this momentum into Big 12 play?

Drop your thoughts in the comments:

If you enjoy #wvufootball Football news, #mountaineer Football reactions, Big 12 Football analysis, Rich Rodriguez coverage, WVU predictions and West Virginia sports talk, subscribe and join the conversation.

WVU Football is 2-0, but now the real test arrives. After West Virginia’s dominant 52-7 win over UT Martin, the Mountaineers head to Charlotte for a neutral-site showdown with Virginia on September 19.

In this episode of Trust The Beard, I break down what we learned from the UT Martin win, update The Beard Hot Take Tracker, and go deep into WVU vs. Virginia. We’re looking beyond the box score at the matchups that could decide this game — Michael Hawkins and the WVU offense, Zac Alley’s defense, Virginia’s explosive passing attack, third-down defense, pass rush, strength of schedule, turnovers and more.

Then I put everything into the Beardologi Prediction Model for the full numbers-based projection: spread, projected total, final score and win probability. The model has spoken... but do I agree with it?

Drop your WVU-UVA score prediction in the comments, and if you enjoy detailed Mountaineer football analysis, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and share the video with Mountaineer Nation!

#WVU #WVUFootball #HailWV #Mountaineers

West Virginia went 4-8 in Year 1 under Rich Rodriguez — so how in the world could WVU go 9-3 in 2026? In the final chapter of my 4 Weeks of Fire series, I break down every game on the 2026 WVU Football schedule, reveal my path to 9 wins and a potential Top-5 Big 12 finish, and explain why Year 2 Rich Rod, the transfer portal, NIL, roster development, Cam Cook, a potentially Top-50 defense, and improved health could accelerate the Mountaineers' rebuild. We dive into the biggest swing games against Virginia, Utah, TCU, Houston, Arizona and Oklahoma State, including one major road upset prediction that could completely change WVU's season. Is 9-3 crazy—or is West Virginia ready to become one of the biggest breakout teams in college football? Let me know your WVU record prediction in the comments!

Could Rich Rodriguez be headed for some hardware in 2026?

We dive into the history of the Big 12 Coach of the Year, the surprising precedent set by Matt Campbell at Iowa State, and why you don’t necessarily need 10+ wins—or even the best team—to take home the award.

With WVU Football entering 2026 with low preseason expectations, could an 8- or 9-win season put Rich Rod squarely in the Big 12 COY race? We break down Rich Rodriguez’s Coach of the Year history, the Big 12 preseason consensus, and the coaches on my 2026 COY watchlist.

Can West Virginia finish 2026 with a Top 50 defense?

In this video, we break down the five numbers that could define WVU's defense in 2026, comparing the Mountaineers to the average of nearly 100 Top 50 defenses from 2021-2025.

The countdown to the 2026 #wvufootball season is on, and 4 WEEKS OF FIRE has officially begun!

In the first episode, we’re making a bold prediction: Cam Cook will win #big12football Offensive Player of the Year. We break down Cook’s 2025 production, compare him to recent OPOY-winning running backs like Chuba Hubbard, Breece Hall, Ollie Gordon and reigning winner LJ Martin, and examine the competition standing in his way.

But the prediction isn’t just about Cam Cook. We dive into the history of the Big 12, the current QB and RB landscape, the importance of a potential back-to-back 1,200-yard season, and why West Virginia may need a 25% increase in rushing production for Cook to have a legitimate OPOY campaign.

With Michael Hawkins Jr., Rick Trickett and a revamped Mountaineer offense potentially taking a major step forward, is Cam Cook really the best bet to take home the Big 12's top offensive honor? Let me know what you think — and as always, Trust The Beard!

Video created with #movavi

This video breaks down a bold, fully built model for the future of #collegefootball — one built on clarity, fairness, competition, and real financial stakes. Across four parts, you’ll see how a 144 team, three tier ecosystem creates the most meaningful version of the sport we’ve ever imagined.

#WVU Football fans, this episode breaks down exactly why 8 wins in 2026 is a realistic expectation — not a dream. We dive into Rich Rodriguez Year 2, major roster upgrades, the impact of NIL retention, and how WVU fixed the biggest flaws from 2025.

From a stronger culture to a better QB, a rebuilt offensive line, and Zac Alley’s defense leveling up, this is the most complete breakdown of why the Mountaineers are positioned for a major jump.