Homecoming week has arrived in Morgantown, and for WVU fans, the wish list is pretty simple: beat Cincinnati and give the weekend a happy ending.
The Mountaineers will kick off Saturday at noon, and even with the season wobbling after a strong start, Homecoming still gives the fan base something to rally around. WVU opened with three straight wins, then dropped three in a row, leaving plenty of frustration behind as the team heads into another Big 12 matchup.
That frustration has become part of the rhythm lately. WVU’s latest setback was a 52-31 loss to Arizona, and the Mountaineers are still searching for their first Big 12 win of the season. One week there’s hope, the next there’s another scoreboard reminder that things are not going the way anyone pictured in the preseason.
Still, Homecoming in Morgantown has a way of carrying its own energy. Alumni return, students get a break to celebrate, and the town leans all the way into the gold and blue. The parade, the tailgates, the packed bars and the game itself all come with the same basic hope: that football won’t spoil the party.
There is at least reason for WVU to feel good about this matchup. The Mountaineers lead the all-time series against Cincinnati 18-3-1 and have won the last four meetings. Saturday will also feature “Stripe the Stadium,” with even-numbered sections in gold and odd-numbered sections in blue.
No matter what happens on the field, the stadium should look the part.
And that matters in a weekend like this one, because Homecoming is about more than the result. It’s the return to campus, the familiar soundtrack of “Country Roads,” the crowd of people who keep coming back no matter how many times the season gives them a reason not to.
Saturday won’t erase what has already gone wrong. One win can’t wipe out three straight losses or make all the frustration disappear. But it would give WVU something it has not had in a while.
The Mountaineers do not need perfection. Fans just want a team that shows up ready, plays with some energy and finishes the job.
That does not seem like too much to ask.
In Other News...
Rich Rodriguez Sees A Bigger West Virginia Defensive Problem Than Fans Thought
Rich Rodriguez spent his weekly press conference digging into West Virginias defensive issues, and he made it clear the staff has been through the game film enough times to know this is not just a matter of one or two bad snaps. He said he believes the players have the ability to be better, but also acknowledged the Mountaineers need sharper coaching and cleaner execution to get the unit pointed in the right direction.
Rodriguez also took time to address true freshman Matt, whose early work has shown enough promise to keep the staff encouraged even through the growing pains. For West Virginia, the larger question now is how quickly the defense can turn that film-room diagnosis into something more dependable on Saturdays. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Fans Can Finally Start Planning Around A Key Home Slate
West Virginia fans can finally start circling dates for the 2026-27 mens basketball season after the Big 12 and WVU released game times and television coverage for the home schedule. The timing matters for a fan base that likes to plan around the Mountaineers biggest nights, and it also gives the program a clearer picture of how the season will unfold on the court and on TV.
Single-game tickets and mini-pack options go on sale to the public starting Oct. 14, with packages offering fans a chance to pick specific matchups rather than commit to the full slate. WVU also has a few extra dates to keep in mind, including Coca-Cola Family Days and an exhibition against Wheeling on Oct. 28, which should give supporters an early look before the league grind really begins. [Read more 🡒]
Rich Rodriguez May Be Reshaping WVU's Rotation Faster Than Expected
Rich Rodriguez is still in the early stages of sorting out West Virginias depth chart, but the conversation around the Mountaineers already sounds like one that could lead to some movement. The defensive side remains a work in progress as the staff looks to settle on exact positions, while the offense has begun to feature a few names that could carve out larger roles as the weeks go on.
Among the players drawing attention are freshman running back Amari Latimer and receivers Keon Hutchins and TaRon Francis, all of whom Rodriguez indicated could see more of the field. Utah transfer NaQuari Rogers is also in the mix after recent practice and conditioning work, giving West Virginia another potential option as the rotation starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]