(Graphic Illustration - Monday Morning Quarterback - WVU Football - Image rendered through the use of ChatGPT)

When Neal Brown was let go after the 2024 season most WVU football fans recognized that the first year in the transition to a new coaching staff would have some bumps in the road.

But being dominated by a Mid-American Conference football opponent is not what we had in mind. This was beyond disappointing. It was demoralizing.

Sure, one could argue that it was only a narrow 17-10 loss, but this was a game that should never have been that close. Ohio controlled time of possession by over 2 to 1, running 79 plays to 56 for WVU. The Bobcats had 429 total yards to 250 for West Virginia, with 24 first downs to 13 for the Mountaineers.

WVU drove 89 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and all appeared to be falling in place. But in the final three quarters the Mountaineers gained just 149 yards on 46 plays, with 45 of those yards coming on one pass play to wide receiver Jaden Bray. Following the first quarter score, the Mountaineers punted on 7 of their next 8 possessions, scoring only a field goal following the long pass completion. They then followed up with a turnover on downs and an interception.

The West Virginia defense had a breakdown in pass coverage allowing Ohio to score a quick touchdown at the end of the first half, but did its job in the second half by holding the Bobcats scoreless and creating turnovers with interceptions on three consecutive possessions.

But even though having the ball near midfield after each of the interceptions and an opportunity to take advantage and turn the momentum of the game, the futile Mountaineer offense failed to even garner a single first down.

The quarterback play was subpar, and perhaps can be upgraded as the season moves forward, but the most glaring issue with the offensive line will not be easily fixed. This group was totally dominated at the line of scrimmage by an Ohio defense that couldn’t stop Rutgers the previous week. As a result, the Mountaineers could not run the ball or protect the quarterback. With Pittsburgh and the Big 12 schedule looming ahead, controlling the line of scrimmage on offense will be a daunting task and scoring points will be a challenge, particularly with apparent serious injuries to two of our best offensive players, running back Jaheim White and receiver Bray.

We have said here many times in the past that as fans we all tend to put too much emphasis on any one game. But it is hard not to do that after what we saw Saturday. The performance on offense was a total embarrassment and in all honesty this looked like a bad football team. We can only hope that first appearances are proven wrong.

THIS SATURDAY: Last year West Virginia lost a 10-point lead in the final five minutes in a crushing 38-34 loss at Pittsburgh which set the tone leading to a disappointing 6-6 regular season. The Panthers now make a return trip to Morgantown with an experienced quarterback against a Mountaineer squad whose confidence has been shaken.

PITTSBURGH 27, WEST VIRGINIA 16.