By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – Earlier today, the Big 12 Conference officially revealed their 2026 football slate. The West Virginia Mountaineers, who will be in year two of Rich Rodriguez’s second stint, will play five conference games at home and four on the road. The program will also play seven total home games for the second time in three seasons.
Since we have now learned the 2026 schedule for the Mountaineers, I am going to look ahead with FIVE BOLD predictions for next fall. With it only being January, there are still several months of offseason to go. Due to this, I will also classify these as “way-too-early.”
5 WAY-TOO-EARLY BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR WVU FOOTBALL IN 2026
- Scotty Fox wins starting quarterback job
This one may not be as “bold” as others, but many are writing Fox off with the addition of Michael Hawkins. While the Oklahoma transfer brings potential and speed, Fox possesses the clear advantage with a year of experience in Rodriguez’s offense under his belt. The Ohio native showed off solid passing ability, connecting on 59.4% of his passes for 1,276 passing yards and 7 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. He also displayed an ability to make plays with his legs, accumulating 201 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.
Given the situation, this will likely be a competition that lasts well into fall camp. However, I will be surprised if anyone but Fox takes the first snaps against Coastal Carolina on September 5th. Hawkins has a long way to go in his development as a passer. With Fox being ahead of the curve in that aspect, he will give an extra dimension to an offense that is in the middle of a rebuild.
2. The offensive line will be one of the most improved units in the nation
West Virginia’s offensive line surely couldn’t get any worse, right? After being the program’s Achilles heel during the 2025 season, Rich Rodriguez and staff took to the portal to add size, experience, and talent to the trenches on offense. Players like Kevin Brown, Carsten Cassidy, Wes King, Amare Grayson, and Cameron Griffin headline a plethora of additions to the offensive line that will have a major impact in 2026. Factor in the departure of Jack Bicknell and addition of Rick Trickett, one of the best offensive line coaches in the nation, fans should expect a huge leap in this unit’s production next fall.
3. Tobi Haastrup will lead a revitalized pass rush
West Virginia’s defense became more reliable under defensive coordinator Zac Alley in 2025. However, given the debacle on that side of the ball under the last coaching staff, the bar for improvement was set very low. The Mountaineers struggled to generate much of a pass rush, which ultimately hurt the unit as a whole. That, however, will not be the case in 2026.
With the addition of Oregon transfer Tobi Haastrup, the Mountaineers will see a MASSIVE increase in the pass rush department. With an uptick in sacks, the unit will also witness an increase of mistakes made by the opponent’s quarterback. More turnovers, more chaos, and more aggression will keep West Virginia in games it likely wouldn’t have been in, otherwise.
Transfers Ezekiel Durham-Campbell, Harper Holloman, and David Afogho will also factor into a revitalized WVU pass rush.
4. WVU cracks AP Top 25 in October
The Mountaineer Football program has not been ranked in the AP Top 25 since 2018 – Will Grier’s final season. That will change this season after West Virginia begins the year 5-0. Heading into their matchup against Arizona in Morgantown, the Mountaineers will FINALLY have that elusive number next to their name.
5. WVU wins bowl game, setting the stage for a College Football Playoff push in 2027
As much as we would like it to happen in 2026, the Mountaineers are unlikely to make a push for the College Football Playoff. After finishing the season with a 9-4 record that includes a bowl win, West Virginia will catch the eyes of the nation. Under the leadership of Rich Rodriguez, the Old Gold and Blue will finally reap the results of their rebuild with offseason hype and playoff contention in 2027.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
