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BUCKHANNON — We should have known better.
You bought in, I bought in, Mountaineer Nation bought in. And once again, West Virginia got sold the same old snake oil by the program’s original salesman — Rich Rodriguez.
One week after a promising showing in Charlotte that had WVU flirting with national attention, the Mountaineers crashed back to earth. Hard.
The defensive regression wasn’t subtle; it was glaring. And if we’re being honest, the numbers are flat‑out embarrassing.
WVU surrendered 609 yards of total offense — 389 passing, 220 rushing. The Mountaineers allowed 19.5 yards per completion and 5.4 yards per carry. Oklahoma State ripped off 10 explosive plays through the air (15+ yards) and six on the ground (10+ yards).
If you’re giving up an explosive play on roughly one out of every four snaps, it doesn’t matter what your offense does. You’re not winning football games. A week after forcing four three‑and‑outs, WVU managed just one — and it came only because Oklahoma State was content to bleed the clock before halftime.
And then came the familiar refrain from Rodriguez: “It’s on me. I should coach better.” Mountaineer Nation has heard that tune as often as “trust the climb,” and it’s just as hollow now as it was then. Whatever it takes to win in the modern NIL‑and‑portal era, WVU clearly hasn’t figured it out.
For everyone who insisted last year that Rodriguez “needed time,” consider this: Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris is a first‑year head coach with 91 new players, and the Cowboys are 4–1 and ranked 19th. Meanwhile, in Rodriguez’s second season, WVU remains unranked and licking its wounds after getting curb‑stomped at home.
Something has to change. And the first change should be replacing the fraudster at the top.
Crunch Staff Leaderboard
Name | Overall | Last Week
Duane | 29–6 | 6–1
Brian | 29–6 | 6–1
Katie | 23–12 | 6–1
Monica | 20–15 | 6–1
Week Five’s winner is Todd Ware, who posted a 6–1 record and edged Sandra Kimble on the tiebreaker. Ware, now a two‑time winner, earns another $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant. He also leads the season standings at 31–4 (35 points).
As always, readers will see seven games each week, with Game 7 serving as the tiebreaker. Picks are due by 7 p.m. Friday before kickoff. Click here for this week’s games.
Week Six Games
Fairmont Senior (1–4) at Buckhannon‑Upshur (1–3)
Not an elimination game in Week Six, but the winner positions itself far better for a playoff push. Fairmont Senior sits 19th in Class AAA, while B‑U is 14th in Class AAAA. The Bucs desperately need the bye week to have worked wonders. Ball security is non‑negotiable for B-U.
Duane: Fairmont Senior | Brian: Fairmont Senior | Katie: Fairmont Senior | Monica: Fairmont Senior
Wheeling (2–2) at West Virginia Wesleyan (2–3)
Wesleyan looks to rebound after a rough 45–7 loss at Frostburg State. Wheeling, coming off a bye, makes its first conference road trip and aims for its second league win.
Duane: Wheeling | Brian: West Virginia Wesleyan | Katie: Wheeling | Monica: Wheeling
Marshall (3–1) at James Madison (4–0)
Marshall is 3–1 but living dangerously — its three wins have come by a combined nine points against modest competition. Last week, the Herd needed a last‑second field goal to escape FCS Gardner‑Webb, led by former Marshall quarterback Cole Pennington. JMU is the real deal. Saturday could get ugly.
Duane: James Madison | Brian: James Madison | Katie: James Madison | Monica: Marshall
The Final Four
Elkins (4–1) at Grafton (3–2)
Duane: Elkins | Brian: Elkins | Katie: Elkins | Monica: Grafton
Morgantown (4–0) at Wheeling Park (2–3)
Duane: Morgantown | Brian: Morgantown | Katie: Morgantown | Monica: Morgantown
BYU (3–0) at TCU (2–2)
Duane: BYU | Brian: BYU | Katie: TCU | Monica: TCU
West Virginia (3–1) at Iowa State (2–2)
Duane: Iowa State | Brian: West Virginia | Katie: West Virginia | Monica: West Virginia
