Phil Steele is already looking at West Virginia as more than just a team trying to get through the early part of the season. On this week’s Phil Steele Friday appearance on the In The Gun Podcast, he said he’s “Really Bullish” on the Mountaineers and went as far as calling them a possible “surprise team in the Big 12.”
Steele’s outlook centered on the bigger picture, with his comments aimed more at what West Virginia could become in 2026 than just what it might do against Coastal this Saturday. Still, he was clear about what he expects to see right away.
“I think we’re going to see a better brand of football. I’m really bullish on this West Virginia squad.
When I was talking with Rich Rod, he was really impressed with the pickup of Rick Trickett as the offensive line coach. Plus, they bring in a couple offensive linemen from Jacksonville State.
They got Michael Hawkins at QB, Cam Cook coming in from Jacksonville State; this is a vastly improved West Virginia team. I don’t have to worry about West Virginia fans coming over to my house, grabbing my couch, and burning it in the front yard this year like last year.
I think if you’re looking for a surprise team in the Big 12, it’s West Virginia. I think they jump out of the gate with a big win here.
He didn’t stop there. When asked where the offense might land in the Big 12 if Amari Latimer gives them what they’re hoping for behind Cam Cook and Mike Hawkins Jr. provides steady quarterback play, Steele sounded confident about the ceiling.
“I think the sky is the limit for this group," Steele said. "I’m really impressed.
And remember last year, they were down to what? Their fifth-string running back?
Fifth-string quarterback at times? So, let’s just keep a little bit healthier this year, and if that’s the case, I think this offense can be really potent.”
West Virginia now has a useful stretch in its first couple of games to build chemistry and figure out what works before the trip to Charlotte to face Virginia.
In Other News...
WVU Basketball Just Gave Fans An Early Schedule Test To Watch
West Virginias mens basketball program is already giving fans something to circle before the season even starts. The Mountaineers released their non-conference schedule for the upcoming year, and it comes with a mix of three exhibition games and a trip to the Players Era Tournament, setting up an early stretch that should tell a lot about where Ross Hodges first team stands.
Hodge said the goal was to build a schedule that tests his group while also giving the fan base matchups it can get behind, and the slate does both. Competitive games and familiar regional opponents are part of the plan, with the meeting against Virginia Tech standing out as one of the dates that should draw extra attention once the calendar gets closer. [Read more 🡒]
WVUs Nonconference Slate Will Test The Mountaineers Earlier Than Expected
West Virginias nonconference basketball schedule is out, and it does not leave much room for easing into the season. The slate already includes familiar high-profile measuring sticks such as North Carolina and Auburn, along with a mix of other opponents that will give the Mountaineers a clearer idea of where they stand before Big 12 play arrives.
BartTorviks preseason rankings slot West Virginia at No. 59 nationally, which makes the early stretch worth watching even more closely. The article lays out each nonconference opponents ranking to show just how demanding the path looks, and for the Mountaineers the question is less about whether theyll be challenged than how quickly those challenges start to stack up. [Read more 🡒]
WVUs Early Schedule Sets Up A Huge Test Before Big 12 Play
West Virginias 2026-27 mens basketball nonconference schedule is starting to take shape, and it gives the Mountaineers a busy early stretch before Big 12 play arrives. The slate includes home dates at Hope Coliseum, a stop at the Players Era 8 tournament in Las Vegas and a mix of mid-major tuneups that should help set the tone for the season.
The bigger intrigue is the way the schedule escalates once those early games are out of the way. West Virginia is lining up opponents such as Kansas or UNLV in Las Vegas and North Carolina on the nonconference board, with three exhibition games also part of the preparation, leaving the full conference picture still to come later. [Read more 🡒]