Mountaineer Moment - WVU Football and Basketball

There's a lot of talk surrounding the important of WVU retaining star QB Mike Hawkins Jr. for the 2027 Season but what kind of investment will that require?

Is it worth it? What will other suitors be able to offer? What role will loyalty play in the process of keeping QB1 in Morgantown?

The regular season tips off next week and for the first time in a long time West Virginia has stability in its basketball program. Head Coach Ross Hodge is gearing up for Year 2 and there are lofty expectations in Morgantown. How good can this team be?

The Fact: West Virginia is 5-3 as they head into the Bye Week.

Heading into the season, what did you think West Virginia's record would be at this point?

Let's reflect on realistic expectations... if you thought they'd be 8-0, you are very disappointed. If you thought they'd be 2-6, you are pleasantly surprised. Chances are, you and I are both somewhere in the middle!

In this episode we talk about the ups & downs so far and the tough slate ahead to finish the season.

Victory Sunday! Say what you will about Zac Alley & this WVU Defense but ya gotta tip your cap to their effort in the 24-20 Win over TCU in Fort Worth. While the schedule won't be getting any easier after the Bye Week, the win to get to 5-3 has gotta feel good for this Locker Room.

Cue Country Roads! West Virginia survives in Forth Worth in 24-20 Win over TCU.

Troy discusses a Gut Check Performance from the WVU Defense in the 4th Quarter. & more in this Game Recap episode of Mountaineer Moment .

Big time road win has the WVU Locker Room feelin' pretty good heading into the bye week.

Almost Gameday in Forth Worth as West Virginia looks to pick up its second Big 12 Win.

These teams could not be more different. TCU has a ton of confidence defensively but lacks a lot on offense. WVU has had success offensively but is struggling mightily defensively.

Something's Gotta Give!!!

How can West Virginia find a way to win? I give my thoughts on in this episode of Mountaineer Moment.

Mike Hawkins Jr. has put together a sensational season thus far and against Cincinnati last Saturday he and his team found a whole new dimension to this offense via the aerial attack.

Breaking down the stats for QB1 through his first 7 games as a Mountaineer.

What should we expect from Hawkins Jr. & the WVU offense against a talented TCU defense?

The Mountaineers will look to stack wins as they travel to Fort Worth for a matchup with TCU on Saturday. How can the Mountaineers improve to 5-3 heading into the bye week?

1. Avoid the "Get Right" game for the TCU Offense

2. Get Cam Cook Cookin'

3. 3rd Down Defense

4. Wideouts Show Up

An Unstoppable Force meets an Immovable Object. The Mountaineers & Horned Frogs could not be more different. Clint helps us break down the differences as we gear up for the showdown on Saturday.

Clint gives us all we need to know about this TCU team that like West Virginia is looking to build off their first Big 12 win last weekend.

Jon Rothstein knows college hoops better than anyone you know & he has the Mountaineers as this Big 12 Sleeper Team to Watch for the 2026-27 Season.

What makes Rothstein confident & should we be confident?

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly from the 90-81 loss for West Virginia in the Scrimmage vs Maryland.

Episode 356 of Mountaineer Moment out now as Troy gives us his recap of the game.

Positives

- New Way to Win

- Playmakers

- When All Else Failed...

Negatives

- Defense = Disaster

- Cook = Neutralized

- No Control

Cue Country Roads!

West Virginia picks up the 45-42 win over Cincinnati

Rinse & Repeat...Almost. West Virginia's Defense Comes Up With One PIVOTAL Stop despite giving up over 600+ Yards.

Mike Hawkins Jr gets it done with his arm

Moving on to TCU

Game Preview between West Virginia and Cincinnati. Desperate times in Morgantown as the Mountaineers look to stop the skid.

In this episode we give the scouting report on Cincinnati, talk injury updates, and highlight major keys to the game.

Can West Virginia FINALLY limit explosive plays?

How can the Mountaineers blow up the Bearcat Gameplan?

Will Mike Hawkins Jr. find high-percentage throws?

When all else fails...

4 Keys to Victory for West Virginia vs Cincinnati.

Life Alert! Help! The state of WVU Football is in shambles at the mid-way point of the season. We can talk all day about fixing it, but is that even possible at this point?

Let's Get Real with our Expectations.

As many of us have assumed through the first half of the year, West Virginia invested more financially in the offense than the defense.

Rich Rod says the finances in building the roster were nearly identical....

Doesn't that make it feel worse?

Eric from BearcatBunch & ChatterboxBearcats joins us as we go Behind Enemy Lines to gear up for the matchup with Cincinnati on Saturday Afternoon.We get into the Cincinnati Scouting Report including Key Names to Know for the Bearcats and Keys to the Game.We discuss how both teams are coming off losses to Arizona.

Just how important is the running game to Cincinnati?

The official start of Year 2 for Ross Hodge & WVU Basketball is nearly upon us. In this episode we give the latest update on the status of Brenen Lorient & Javan Buchanan and take a look at the KenPom Preseason ranking for the Mountaineers.

For the 3rd Consecutive Week, Rich Rodriguez says, "I Will Fix It."

With a 3-game losing streak and an unhappy fanbase, empty promises aren't working in Rich Rod's favor.

With the current state of the program, is there any reason to believe at this point?

West Virginia's defense continued to struggle immensely on Saturday in Morgantown as the Wildcats scored 52. The chatter regarding Zac Alley's job security continues to get louder.

What are the facts? What are the charges against him? Is there anything that can be used to his defense?

The Latest on X --- All that WVU Fans had to say about the loss to Arizona.

Back at home & trying to get back on track, the Mountaineers fall to the Arizona Wildcats 52-31. West Virginia's Defense showed zero resistance in the 2nd Half while costly turnover hurt WVU early in the game.

Preview of a longer conversation on the future of Zac Alley.

The Mountaineers ran the ball 76 times...despite never trailing by less than 2 possessions when they had the ball in the 2nd Half.

Arizona's quick-strike offense led by Noah Fifita proved to be way too much.

It's a Coal Rush in Morgantown on Saturday afternoon and your West Virginia Mountaineers are looking to get back on track after dropping 2 straight to begin Big 12 Play.

Though they have a banged up WR Room, Noah Fifita still leads the way for a confident Arizona team coming off a dominant win over Cincinnati in Tucson.

How can the Mountaineers show a pulse defensively & can Mike Hawkins Jr. & Co. find success through the air offensively?

1. West Virginia's defense led by DC Zac Alley will be playing with something to prove on Saturday against Arizona... and according to Alley, that starts with stopping the run.

2. Mike Hawkins Jr. has been sensational running the football but is completing less than 50% of his passes through 2 Big 12 Games. What will it take on Saturday?

3. CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE STEP UP!!

10.08.26 | Mountaineer Moment Episode 342

Arizona comes into Morgantown with a depleted WR Room... so much so that former Mountaineer, Rodney Gallagher III is set to start against his former team.

Zac Alley has taken accountability for just how bad this WVU Defense has been, now it's time for better results.

We've been told that Mike Hawkins Jr. can make all the throws, now its time to see it.

There's no denying the West Virginia struggles the last 2 weeks... but it's not all bad is it?

Mike Hawkins Jr. & Cam Cook are 2 of the Top 10 rushers in the Nation.

Can the Mountaineers somehow, someway find a groove over this 2-game homestand?

The Mountaineers have the worst defense in college football according to Defensive Coordinator, Zac Alley.

We fact check Zac's comments and discuss the priorities of the defense moving forward as notable changes are coming.

Shane from @WildcatCountry joins us as we go Behind Enemy Lines to gear up for the matchup with Arizona on Saturday Afternoon.

We talk about Noah Fifita's tremendous career.

Key Names to Know for the Wildcats.

How Arizona's Defense matches up with the Mike Hawkins Jr. & Cam Cook Duo.

Rich Rodriguez connection & why Shane thinks Mountaineer fans should keep the faith!

The performance of West Virginia Football to start Big 12 Play has fans asking one question, "Is it basketball season yet?"

In this episode we take a look at the state of both the football & basketball programs and briefly preview what could be a special season in Morgantown for Ross Hodge & Co.

Plus, the latest on the eligibility status of Brenen Lorient & Javan Buchanan.

As we know, Mountaineer X (Twitter) can be quite the scene after a loss for the football team. Is it time for the Mountaineers and Zac Alley to part ways?

1,186 yards of offense allowed through 2 games of Big 12 Play while allowing 41 to Oklahoma State at Home & 45 to a subpar Iowa State offense in Ames. REMINDER: Both OKST & ISU are in Year 1 of Rebuilds...

This WVU Defense is Atrocious & Something needs to change.

West Virginia falls to Iowa State 45-42.

Zac Alley's Defense is Very Bad. West Virginia shows a lack of discipline as comeback effort falls short despite a big day from Mike Hawkins Jr & Cam Cook.

Mountaineer Moment Ep336

The Mountaineers have a Big One in Ames, Iowa on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Cyclones of Iowa State.

In this episode, Troy provides the Scouting Report on Iowa State & Players to Know.

Which QB will find success through the air?

How can WVU play with a Hard Edge & get back to Morgantown at 4-1 ahead of a 2-game homestead? Whatever it Takes!!

What do the Mountaineers have to do to leave Ames with a W over Iowa State?

Troy gives you 4 Keys to Victory in Ep334 of Mountaineer Moment.

Jake from Cyclone Fanatic joins us as we go Behind Enemy Lines to get set for West Virginia's upcoming matchup with Iowa State.

Numbers to Know, Names to Know, Keys to Victory

Let's Go Mountaineers

78% of the offensive plays this season for West Virginia have been runs.... will that change this weekend on the road at Iowa State?

Will Rich Rod open up the playbook?

How will the team respond to the loss to Oklahoma State as they head to Ames for their first true road game?

Jason Chambers & JaCorey Thomas playing Saturday?

High Hopes in Morgantown for the 2026-27 Basketball Season just got all the more solidified with the injunction granting Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan immediate eligibility.

WVU just got a big boost, but what's the ceiling for this team?

A deep dive into depth chart projection

After falling to Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Opener, West Virginia will look to bounce back when they visit the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday.

What Needs Fixed? What Can Be Fixed? And how can they leave Ames 4-1?

While it's easy to point the defensive struggles for WVU against Oklahoma State, many are upset with Rich Rod & his play calling.

Why so one-dimensional?

Cook & Hawkins Jr. getting all the workload

Still waiting on Wide Receivers to step up, like we said all offseason long.

Zac Alley's WVU Defense allowed over 600 yards of total offense to the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

What Went Wrong?

Matchup Nightmare?

Reacting to Posts on X can be therapeutic?

West Virginia falls to Oklahoma State at Home in Big 12 Opener after a brutal 2nd Half Performance for the Mountaineers.

Major Defensive Issues & One Dimensional Offense hurt West Virginia in this one.

Mountaineer Moment Ep327 out now.