Cover Photo: Ben Queen/USA Today
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Prior to today, the West Virginia Mountaineers were mathematically still capable of playing in the Big 12 Championship game. However, moments ago, the Mountaineers are now officially eliminated from any chance of making the championship.
Colorado absolutely destroyed Oklahoma State, 52-0, making it impossible for West Virginia to compete for the conference championship In order for West Virginia to play in the Championship, which is held on December 7 at Arlington, Texas, the following would have had to happen:
- West Virginia would have to beat Texas Tech tomorrow.
- Oklahoma State would have to beat Colorado.
- Arizona would have to beat Arizona State.
- Kansas would have to beat Baylor.
- TCU would have to beat Cincinnati.
- Houston would have to beat BYU.
Neal Brown and his team appeared to have given up hope of reaching their goal of playing in the Big 12 Championship this season after losing to Baylor. Prior to the start of the season, that was the team goal for the players and coaches, and unfortunately the Mountaineers did not reach that goal. If West Virginia would have beaten Baylor a few weeks ago, they would have only needed to beat Texas Tech this Saturday and they would have automatically been in the Big 12 Championship game without any help from any other teams.
If West Virginia loses tomorrow at Texas Tech, they will move to 6-6 on the season, and Neal Brown will undoubtedly be fired. If they win, I still believe Brown will be fired, but there is a chance he could return with a 7-5 record and a good bowl bid. With that said, the next couple of weeks are going to be very interesting in Morgantown and for the WVU football program!
