It has been quite the bounce back year for the Mountaineers. After a 5-7 season in 2019, the team has already matched that win total eight games into the season, and currently sits with a 5-3 record. Offensively, West Virginia has quietly been one of, if not the most improved team in the nation. Defensively, the Mountaineers have been as stout as anyone in College Football. So what is left for the Old Gold and Blue to accomplish this season?
The team has improved, and they have laid the foundation for rebuilding the program. All things seem to be as good as they possibly could have been in year two under Neal Brown. However, there is one thing, that if Neal Brown really wants to set himself apart from his predecessor, he must accomplish this season – that is beating Oklahoma.
The Sooners will be traveling to Morgantown on November 28th, with the hopes of reaching the Big 12 Championship Game once again. Oklahoma has been a thorn in the side of the Mountaineers since they joined the Big 12. Eight seasons in, West Virginia has yet to knock off the Sooners, despite coming close on a few occasions. Mountaineer Nation has been patiently awaiting the day that they can finally claim victory over the Sooners, and 2020 may just be the perfect year for that to happen.
With all the weird things that have occurred in 2020, why not add a Mountaineer victory over Oklahoma to the list? Despite having solid numbers as usual, this has been a down season for the Sooners. After dropping two early season games to Kansas State and Iowa State, the team was virtually all but counted out of the College Football Playoff. The Mountaineers have been solid at home, and this could provide the perfect opportunity for them to finally knock off the Sooners for the first time as a Big 12 member.
The Mountaineers have nothing left to lose this season, and will play this game with an underdog mentality. Mix that in with Oklahoma’s struggles, as well as homefield advantage, this certainly feels like the year it could happen – and it will happen. You heard it here first, West Virginia will at long last defeat the Oklahoma Sooners on November 28th, providing Neal Brown with a signature win as he goes into the offseason.
TRUST THE CLIMB
