(Football News - Photo Illustration/MetroCreative)

A passionate fan base for West Virginia football has been asked to Trust the Climb for the past six years. There have been indeed some good moments along the way, including an outstanding 9-4 season in 2023.

But for the third time in as many home games in 2024 disappointed Mountaineer fans were leaving in droves with several minutes remaining, having just watched their team run out of its own stadium. In what were winnable games against Iowa State, Kansas State and Baylor, WVU was trailing at halftime — all were one score games. But in the second half those three opponents outscored West Virginia a combined 49-0 before the Mountaineers scored late TDs long after each of the games were decided. We have now lost four home games this season by a aggregate total of 75 points.

The WVU defense in the first half against Baylor was nothing short of atrocious, giving up an embarrassing 35 points. But in the third quarter they managed to get three stops affording the Mountaineers good field position near midfield with opportunities to tie the game and turn momentum. The offense had been impressive in the first half but failed on two fourth down conversions and was unable to capitalize.

The stagnation of the offense in the second half during Big 12 games at home has been a pattern. Opponents have made adjustments at the half and West Virginia has had no answer. On Saturday quarterback Garrett Greene ran for 109 yards in the first half, but in the first four possessions of the second half when the game was still in doubt Baylor was able to keep him under wraps. And when forced to move the ball through the air the WVU offense sputters. Greene was unable to complete even half his passes for the game.

In his postgame Neal Brown lamented the mistakes. Defenders taking the wrong gaps, overrunning plays, not getting off blocks, missing tackles. Dropped passes and failure to execute on offense in key situations. Special teams failures.

In a puzzling anomaly this season West Virginia has played much better football on the road, but at home we have witnessed good teams come in and bully the Mountaineers when it mattered. So for fans in our area that return trek in the dark coming home across Route 50 has become a dreary long ride.

WVU can still salvage a winning season with victories in its final two games, but confidence in achieving that goal is waning.

THIS SATURDAY: Central Florida is another squad which had high hopes for the 2024 season but has fallen on hard times with a 2-5 conference record. But three of those losses have been by less than one score while averaging 36 points per game in the last four outings. From what we have seen there is no reason to believe the WVU defense can stop a good offense that has found its mojo. CENTRAL FLORIDA 42 WEST VIRGINIA 37.