West Virginia’s season opener on Saturday against Coastal Carolina should answer a lot of questions, and the offense has its share of them.
The Mountaineers are trying to bounce back from a 4-8 finish in 2025, Rich Rodriguez’s first season in his second stint running the program. They’re also trying to steer clear of back-to-back losing seasons for the second time in four years. WVU went 6-7 and 5-7 in 2021 and 2022, and the program hasn’t had consecutive losing seasons since 1976-79, when Frank Cignetti was on the sideline for all four years.
With that backdrop, Saturday’s game at Milan Puskar Stadium offers an early look at where the offense stands. Here’s one thing to watch from each position group when the Mountaineers line up against the Chanticleers.
The quarterback situation is the biggest storyline on offense, because it shapes everything else. West Virginia needs clarity there quickly, and Saturday will be the first chance to see how the position is handled in game action.
At running back, the key question is how the workload gets divided and who emerges as the most reliable option. That group will matter in a hurry if the Mountaineers want to set the tone on offense.
The wide receivers will need to show they can create separation and turn opportunities into production. It’s a group that can help open things up if it delivers early.
Tight end play will also be worth monitoring, especially in how that group fits into the overall structure of the offense. Any useful contribution there would give Rodriguez another piece to work with.
Up front, the offensive line may be the most important unit to watch. If West Virginia is going to get the kind of start it wants, that group has to hold up and give the offense a chance to function the way it’s supposed to.
Saturday won’t settle every question, but it should give a much better read on where the Mountaineers stand as the season begins.
In Other News...
Rich Rodriguez Just Made West Virginias QB Situation Even More Intriguing
Rich Rodriguez used the new seasons first Coaches Show to lay out a roster picture that feels a little more settled in some spots and wide open in others. He touched on the influx of high school recruits and transfers, and made clear that experience up front remains a priority as West Virginia continues sorting out the pieces around its offense. He also gave updates on several skill players, including running backs Cam Cook and Amari Latimer and wide receivers DJ Epps and Jaden Bray, while reinforcing the up-tempo style that has long been part of his identity.
The most intriguing part, though, came when Rodriguez addressed quarterback, where Scotty Fox and Michael Hawkins were both mentioned as possible starters. Even with the rest of the offense taking shape, that decision could end up shaping how quickly the Mountaineers find a rhythm in Rodriguezs system, especially with the line and skill positions still coming together. For a team trying to build continuity on the fly, the race under center suddenly feels like one of the most important storylines to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Whites WVU Honor Only Happened After A Longstanding Barrier Fell
Pat White is finally getting the kind of programwide recognition his West Virginia career long seemed to deserve, with his No. 5 jersey set for a ceremonial retirement Saturday before the Mountaineers season opener. The official retirement will come after the current season, once Jaden Bray finishes his eligibility, but the moment itself marks a significant change for a school that had to rethink its own rules before it could put White in that company.
The West Virginia Athletic Council revised its policy to make the honor possible, removing a longstanding barrier that had kept Whites number from being retired. In a recent interview, White looked back on his time in Morgantown and said he was grateful for the distinction, a fitting acknowledgment for one of the defining players in modern Mountaineers history. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginias First Depth Chart Brings Some Real Early Surprises
West Virginias first football depth chart of the season offered an early look at how the coaching staff sees the roster coming together, and it came with a few eyebrow-raisers. The two-deep blends transfers, freshmen and returning players, while the defensive line stands out as one of the younger groups on the board. It also underscores how much competition remains across the roster, with some junior college additions not cracking the initial two-deep.
Matt Sieg was the name that jumped out most, as the true freshman appears prominently in multiple spots and seems to have earned an immediate place in the conversation. The cornerback group also reflects some of the staffs specific preferences, with players of varying sizes slotted into roles that suggest the battle for jobs is still very much alive. For a program trying to sort out its identity early, the first depth chart was less about settling questions than showing just how many are still open. [Read more 🡒]