TCU gets another shot to build on last week’s win when West Virginia comes to Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday, Oct.
- The Horned Frogs are coming off a much-needed 17-6 road win over Baylor, and now they’ll face a Mountaineers team that’s looking for another conference victory to steady its season.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT / noon ET in Fort Worth, with the game airing on ESPN2.
Fans can also stream it through the ESPN app or WatchESPN with access to ESPN2 through a participating provider or eligible subscription. TCU radio coverage will be on KZPS 92.5 FM, with Spanish-language broadcasts on KAMV-FM 107.1-2 and KLNO-FM 94.1-2.
Audio streaming is available on The Varsity Network app.
The matchup brings together two teams with similar records but very different strengths. West Virginia enters at 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play, while TCU is 3-3 and 1-2 in the league. It also sets up a classic clash of styles: TCU’s defense has been the headliner lately, while West Virginia wants to lean on its explosive offense and keep the scoreboard moving.
That Frogs defense earned plenty of attention in Waco. Baylor never reached the end zone, and Koron Hayward led the way with three sacks in a performance that helped carry TCU to the win. If the Frogs are going to make it two straight, that unit may need to carry a heavy load again.
West Virginia, though, brings a dangerous attack. Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. quarterbacks the offense and is coming off a strong showing against Cincinnati.
Cam Cook is another key piece for the Mountaineers, and TCU fans know that name well after his time with the Frogs in 2023 and 2024. He’s continued to produce this season after an outstanding year at Jacksonville State.
The other side of the ball is where West Virginia has been vulnerable. Over its last three games, the Mountaineers have given up 139 total points to Iowa State, Arizona, and Cincinnati. TCU’s offense is still searching for consistency, but Jaden Craig and the passing game looked sharper last week, which gave the Frogs a little more balance against Baylor.
Availability could matter just as much as scheme in this one. On the Oct. 22 availability report, TCU listed running back Jeremy Payne, edge rusher Zach Chapman, tight end Kari Ashley, and kicker Kyle Lemmermann as questionable. Running back Landon Walker was ruled out.
Payne would be a meaningful addition if he’s able to go, especially with the run game still trying to find its footing. Chapman’s presence would help TCU pressure Hawkins and keep West Virginia from settling in. And Ashley would give Craig another receiving target, which matters if the Mountaineers focus more attention on Jordan Dwyer.
West Virginia’s report was cleaner. Cornerback Nick Taylor, edge rusher Harper Holloman, and wide receiver John Neider were all listed as probable.
As always, availability can shift before kickoff, so the latest report will tell the full story.
In Other News...
WVU's Breakout Quarterback Just Made The Future Feel More Urgent
Mike Hawkins Jr. has given West Virginia exactly the kind of spark it hoped for when it brought him in, and his early production has already pushed him into the national conversation. He ranks 11th nationally in rushing yards and is tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns, a start that has made him one of the most important players in Rich Rodriguezs offense and one of the biggest reasons the Mountaineers future suddenly feels tied to his.
Rodriguez has not been shy about how much he values Hawkins, praising his ability and making it clear he wants to keep him around for the rest of his eligibility. Talks between Hawkins and West Virginia about what comes next have reportedly been ongoing, and the encouraging sign for the Mountaineers is that Hawkins appears to see more in the program than money alone. For a team trying to build around a rising quarterback, that makes this one of the more important conversations on the board. [Read more 🡒]
WVU's 2027 Dream Could Hinge On These 10 Decisions
West Virginia heads into the bye week at 5-3, and with the seasons second half ahead, the conversation inside the program is already shifting toward 2027 as much as the present. The Mountaineers are looking at a cluster of players whose decisions will shape what this roster looks like down the line, from rising contributors whose development has outpaced expectations to veterans whose future status will help define the teams stability.
The biggest question is how many of those pieces can be kept in place long enough to make that long-range vision real. One of the programs top players remains in contract talks, while others are weighing whether to stay, move on or eventually turn professional, and the answers will ripple through several position groups. For West Virginia, the next few months may say as much about the future of the roster as the games still left on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Has A Few New Defensive Answers Worth Watching After The Bye
The bye week gave West Virginia a chance to keep searching for answers on defense, and a few familiar names made the case for more playing time. LeBlanc was one of the biggest beneficiaries, getting extended work on the defensive line and turning in his best game yet with multiple tackles and a defensive stop. Khatri also looked more comfortable after moving from nickel to linebacker, a change that fit his high school background and seemed to bring out better play.
Elsewhere, Hawkins and Bradford continued to see their defensive snaps rise as the staff works through injuries and uneven production in the secondary. Bradford, in particular, appears to be gaining more trust from the coaching staff, while a Georgia transfer did not get on the field in the latest game despite showing well in earlier appearances. For a defense still trying to sort out its rotation, those are the kinds of developments worth tracking as the Mountaineers come out of the break. [Read more 🡒]