Morgantown, West Virginia – Huge decisions are being made throughout college sports right now and the world of college athletics revolves around football. Football is King and it’s how a huge chunk of revenue is made for universities around the country.
With that said, there has never been a more important season for the West Virginia Mountaineers than the one upon us for a variety of reasons.
1. West Virginia could end up in a Power 5 Conference…or as a mid-major.
The decisions that are currently being made will impact West Virginia for years, if not decades. Maybe forever. It’s critical that West Virginia shines and succeeds this season in the Big 12 Conference. The Mountaineers must prove that they belong. Not only with wins on the field but also television viewers and attendance during home games.
2. Home sellouts are necessary.
West Virginia is known to have a passionate fanbase, but it’s imperative that fans really show up in droves for the upcoming football and basketball seasons. The enthusiasm surrounding West Virginia athletics is its biggest selling point and a couple of thousand in attendance for basketball games won’t get it done.
West Virginia has a legendary basketball head coach and there’s absolutely no reason that the WVU Coliseum shouldn’t be packed every game until he retires. Students must not only show up to football games but also remain there for the entire game.
3. Neal Brown has to prove that he’s the right man for the job.
So Neal Brown says and does all of the right things on and off the field, but does he have what it takes to win big in a Power 5 Conference? 11-11 is reasonable in his first two seasons in a rebuild mode, but Brown must eventually produce big wins against the top teams in the Big 12 Conference.
A win against Oklahoma or Texas would go a long way in Brown proving that his brand of football can get it done. There’s no question that Brown has succeeded in many ways off the field – recruiting, program-building, culture – but he must also produce on the field.
4. Don Nehlen thinks this season is going to be very special for the Mountaineers.
Former head coach Don Nehlen said the following on the current team last week: “You are what you think you are. Teams that think and believe, make it happen.”
Nehlen continued: “There’s something about this team, and I think you guys are going to be pretty damn good.
And if you guys believe in yourselves – and you guys have a great coach and a great coaching staff – and this year, I think you’re going to get it done big time!”
