Carpenter Crunch Time Week 11: B-U marches towards a playoff spot

Buckhannon-Upshur sits 16th in Class AAAA SSAC and looks likely for a playoff spot as the Bucs head into a winnable Week 11 game, while local picks contest standings and college matchups draw heated fan reactions.

Duane Carpenter
November 6, 2025

TENNERTON – I get a lot of Rich Rodriguez supporters don’t like me very much right now. I know, I know. For a lot of them, nothing would thrill them more than to line up and just give me, oh just give me what for.

You should have seen the vitriol I received this week on social media. I would copy and paste some of it but I don’t think I can use some of those words in print here at My Buckhannon.

The basic message was “see, they are improving, they are getting better.” It’s amazing to me how one upset win over an overrated Houston team can simply erase one of the worst five-game stretches in recent memory. Someone asked me why I live in the past? Really, so we are simply supposed to forget Kansas beating us 41-10, Utah 48-14 and UCF 45-13? Man, I wish I could live in your world where you magically forget the recent past.

Again, that said, people seem like they aren’t comprehending this part. I want WVU to win and be successful. I was beyond happy they beat Houston…still doesn’t mean that I have to root for that perpetual baby on the sidelines coaching the team.

Just a final thought on how college football expectations are different at different places. A couple of weeks ago, LSU fired Brian Kelley after three and a half years of service. Kelley was 34-14 and produced a Heisman winner in Jayden Daniels. That gets you fired in Baton Rouge. In Morgantown, that would get you a statue put up.

Moving on to other things, B-U is 16^th in the latest Class AAAA SSAC ratings. While a lot can happen, it looks like there is a high probability that even if the Bucs lose Friday night, they still might get in. The four teams below them are all underdogs in their games this week. A win would certainly secure things for the Bucs, but it looks like there is a good chance they will be in the playoffs.

Now onto the important stuff, the My Buckhannon staff contest. The standings look like this.

STANDINGS (WEEK 10)

Name Week Overall

Duane 4-3 54-16

Brian 5-2 50-20

Monica 3-4 43-27

Katie 4-3 43-27

Overall, it wasn’t a great week for the four of us. Brian went 5-2 and closed the gap between us back down to four games as Katie and I both went 4-3 while Monica posted a 3-4 mark. Katie caught Monica this week for third place as both are now tied with 43-27 records.

When it comes to our readers, it was an interesting week. Nobody, and I mean nobody, took WVU over Houston or Fairmont Senior over Bridgeport. We had two readers who topped out at 6-1, and they were Greg Abel and Dave Marple. Going to the tiebreaker of the total score of the WVU-Houston game (80 points) it was DAVE MARPLE that won our week picking 60 points. So congratulations to Dave as he will be receiving a $20 gift certificate from My Buckhannon. Thank you for your support, and keep those submissions coming in.

You still have time to get your picks in for this week, as we accept them until Friday at 6:59 p.m. prior to the high school kickoffs. (One submission only.) Please click here to make your picks this week.

Now onto our games:

Buckhannon-Upshur (2-7) at Robert C. Byrd (4-5)

A winnable game for sure. I still feel like making a few more plays against East Fairmont and Lincoln, and this team could easily be 4-5. I give the players on the team a lot of credit. They could have packed up and went home but they kept on fighting and now here they are on the verge of the playoffs.

Duane: Robert C. Byrd; Brian: Robert C. Byrd; Katie: Buckhannon-Upshur; Monica: Robert C. Byrd

Elkins (6-3) at Preston (1-8)

Elkins has probably locked up a spot in the Class AAA playoffs as they are 12^th this week but a win would solidify their position and eliminate any concern waiting for the playoff brackets to come out Sunday. We all know Preston can throw the ball and B-U showed the world that you can throw the ball against Elkins. Despite their records, I think this game could be close but I expect Elkins to still win the game.

Duane: Elkins; Brian: Preston; Katie: Elkins; Monica: Elkins

Colorado (3-6) at West Virginia (3-6)

Never has there been a game with two complete buffoons coaching in it as this game is with Deion Sanders and Rich Rodriguez. Folks, the clown show has some to Morgantown this week. Two Big 12 bottom feeders square off, and not one person will care.

Duane: West Virginia; Brian: West Virginia; Katie: West Virginia; Monica: Colorado

The Final Four:

Lewis County (2-7) at Grafton (1-8)