The West Virginia Mountaineers haven’t had the smoothest start to the season, posting a 2-2 record through the first four games. However, they remain undefeated in Big 12 play, with a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory over Kansas giving them momentum.
During a recent episode of *In the Gun*, college football analyst Phil Steele weighed in on WVU’s performance thus far and what lies ahead for the team. Despite their early struggles, Steele remains optimistic about the Mountaineers’ potential.
“I still like what I see out of West Virginia,” Steele commented. “Their run game with [CJ] Donaldson, [Garrett] Greene, and [Jahiem] White has been really effective. The ground game gives them an identity. My biggest concern, however, is their pass defense. It’s an area that could be exposed, but I liked their chances against Kansas because I didn’t think Kansas would take advantage of that weakness.”
Looking ahead, Steele addressed the challenging schedule the Mountaineers face, including upcoming games against Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Kansas State. He expressed confidence that WVU could navigate this stretch well, particularly in their home matchups. “They’ve got Oklahoma State coming up, but I’m not too worried about their pass defense in that one. Then they’ve got games at home, which are crucial,” Steele said. “I think West Virginia is going to come out of this pretty good.”
It’s worth noting that WVU’s schedule has already included formidable opponents. They faced an undefeated Penn State team in the season opener, followed by a tough matchup against Pitt, who has been strong in the early part of the season. While Kansas is off to a slow start at 1-3, Steele acknowledges that the Jayhawks are playing solid football. Despite the difficulties, the Mountaineers have had a challenging slate of games that could help them find their footing in Big 12 competition.
As the season progresses, Steele’s confidence in West Virginia will depend largely on how they address their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the secondary. If they can shore up their pass defense, Steele believes the Mountaineers have the potential to turn things around and be a formidable team in conference play. With their effective run game and some key home games on the horizon, WVU could emerge from this daunting stretch in good shape.
