MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — West Virginia took an incredibly-difficult-to-swallow loss in Athens, Ohio. After a dominant opener, the Mountaineers fell to Ohio 17–10, destroying the early optimism of the season. The defense showed flashes—interceptions, pressure, some grit. But the offense? Stalled. Inconsistent. All the warning signs are there.
So with that loss as the new baseline, what’s a realistic win total for WVU this season? Let’s break it down.
Here’s a look at the 2025 slate for WVU:
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Aug 30 vs Robert Morris — WIN (45-3)
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Sep 6 @ Ohio — LOSS (17-10)
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Sep 13 vs Pitt
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Sep 20 @ Kansas
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Sep 27 vs Utah
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Oct 3 @ BYU
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Oct 18 @ UCF
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Oct 25 vs TCU
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Nov 1 @ Houston
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Nov 8 vs Colorado
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Nov 15 @ Arizona State
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Nov 29 vs Texas Tech
That’s a brutal mix of tricky home games, difficult road tests, and very little margin for error. Some matchups are favorable; some are steep. If WVU shows up, there’s potential. But if they slip up again, this schedule will chew them up.
What looks good:
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The defense has kept WVU in games. Big plays, turnovers, pressure have shown up.
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Home games vs. Utah, TCU, Colorado, and Texas Tech offer chances to build wins. Those are winnable if WVU plays with urgency.
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The fanbase and coaching staff still have belief—not blind faith, but enough that mistakes from Week 2 can be chalked up to rust, not collapse.
What looks shaky:
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The offense struggled in key moments: third downs, red-zone chances, turnovers. The loss to Ohio highlighted these.
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Injuries could derail depth, especially OL and QB positions, which already look fragile.
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Travel + tough road Big 12 schedule: BYU, Arizona State, Houston — all dangerous.
Here are three scenarios:
| Scenario | Expected Wins | Key Wins | Why It’s Possible / What Must Go Right |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pessimistic | 3-4 wins | Robert Morris, maybe one home Big 12 win (Colorado or Texas Tech), maybe the Pitt game if things click. | Offense stays inconsistent. Losses pile in close games. Visits get ugly. |
| Realistic | 5-6 wins | Robert Morris, Pitt, Colorado, possibly Utah and Texas Tech, maybe UCF or Kansas if they find rhythm. | Defense remains solid, offense picks up enough to hold its own. Close games swing in WVU’s favor. Some upsets or favorable home games needed. |
| Optimistic | 7-8 wins | Adds wins over stronger opponents — Utah or BYU, maybe a surprise on the road or a home win over TCU. | Big turnaround in offensive line play, QB play stabilizes, fewer mistakes. Momentum gained early leads to confidence. |
My Prediction
Given what we’ve seen so far, I believe West Virginia ends the 2025 regular season with about 6 wins. That lands somewhere in the “realistic” territory. If they get hot at home, steal a road win or two, and clean up errors (especially on offense), 7 is not out of reach. But 8+ will require everything to align perfectly—and I’m not yet convinced that all the dominoes are in position.
If WVU loses more than they win, however, this season could feel like a step backward instead of a reset. After the Ohio loss, expectation management isn’t just a media talking point—it’s a necessity.
