Bill Connelly's SP+ projections for the 2026 college football season are out, and there's plenty to unpack. This isn't your typical ranking-it's a deep dive into the efficiency of college football teams, using a formula that adjusts for tempo and opponent strength. Think of it as a predictive tool that zeroes in on the most reliable aspects of the game.
The SP+ formula looks at four key factors: returning production, recent history, recruiting success, and the impact of coaching changes. It's a comprehensive approach that offers insights beyond mere win-loss records.
For West Virginia, the numbers are a bit of a mixed bag. The Mountaineers find themselves at No. 66 out of the 138 FBS teams.
Breaking it down, they're ranked No. 62 in offense, No. 66 in defense, and No. 63 in special teams. It's a balanced profile, but not quite what Rich Rodriguez and his coaching staff were hoping for.
Unfortunately, this places WVU at the bottom of the Big 12 Conference rankings.
Here's a look at how the rest of the Big 12 stacks up:
- Texas Tech leads the way at No. 7, showcasing their strong potential.
- BYU is sitting comfortably at No. 18, followed by Utah at No.
- Kansas State and Arizona are neck and neck at No. 29 and No. 30, respectively.
- TCU, Houston, and Oklahoma State are all in the top 40, signaling competitive seasons ahead.
- Further down, we see Arizona State at No. 42 and Cincinnati at No.
- Baylor, Kansas, and UCF round out the middle of the pack, while Iowa State and Colorado are just ahead of WVU at Nos. 64 and 65.
For Mountaineers fans, it's a call to action. There's room for growth, and the season will be an opportunity to defy expectations. With the right adjustments, WVU could climb these rankings and surprise the conference.