Okay, let’s break down what’s on the horizon for college football. With the 2024 season wrapped up, the focus is shifting to the fall and the gridiron action that awaits us. But before we get there, spring football and the spring transfer portal window are going to keep things interesting, and let’s not forget the pending arrival of the revenue-sharing model, which is set to add another layer of complexity to this ever-evolving sport.
Now, with the winter transfer portal closed and the coaching carousel mostly done for this cycle, there are a few teams that are already generating buzz for next season. Here’s a look at one team that’s poised to grab headlines:
West Virginia
The return of Rich Rodriguez to Morgantown after a 17-year hiatus is certainly one of the big stories heading into the new season. His exit back in 2007 wasn’t exactly smooth, and the program hasn’t quite reached the same heights without him, so his return has caused quite a stir among the fanbase. Now back at WVU, Rodriguez faces a tough road ahead, with a challenging schedule in his first year back at the Power 4 level.
The Mountaineers will be hitting the road to play Arizona State, BYU, and Ohio, the MAC champions. Their home games include matchups against Texas Tech, TCU, and a renewal of their rivalry with Pittsburgh. That game against Pitt is one that will definitely have extra spice to it, given it was Pitt who famously ended WVU’s national championship hopes during Rodriguez’s final game with the program back in the day.
After four losing seasons out of the last six, West Virginia is essentially looking at a full-scale rebuild. The team has seen some significant departures via the transfer portal, including their leading receiver, starting linebacker, one of their top rushers, and several offensive linemen. To add to that, quarterback Garrett Greene and tackle Wyatt Milum have declared for the NFL. This has meant a large influx of transfers coming in as the Mountaineers look to fill those gaps. It’s clear this level of overhaul will take some time to gel, but one thing is for sure: Rodriguez’s second stint at his alma mater is definitely going to be interesting.
