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True tests ahead for WVU
The annual scheduled game against an overmatched FCS opponent went about as expected last Saturday as West Virginia cruised to an easy 52-7 victory over UT Martin.
It was an opportunity for nearly all players on the WVU sideline to see game action, which for some may be their only on field appearance of the season. Thirteen different Mountaineers carried the football and four quarterbacks saw action. A total of 26 defensive players showed up on the stat sheet with at least one tackle.
The difference in speed between the two teams was quickly evident. Wide receiver DJ Epps looked like he was shot out of a cannon as he scored two long touchdown receptions of 59 and 53 yards.
There aren't much in the way of conclusions or opinions that can be drawn from such a one-sided affair, but it counts in the win column as West Virginia is 2-0 for the first time since 2018.
It is interesting how quickly preseason projections can go awry. We commented here earlier that the Mountaineers had opportunities over the first half of the season with two weaker Big 12 opponents opening up the conference schedule. But Oklahoma State just shocked the college world by upsetting No. 6 ranked Oregon and Iowa State, picked last in the league by many, battled a ranked Iowa squad on the road before losing on a last second field goal. Somehow those matchups don't look quite so inviting.
But that is why you take the games one week at a time.
THIS SATURDAY: The first big test of the season awaits the Mountaineers as they take on Virginia in Charlotte Saturday night.
The Cavaliers are coming off an 11-3 season, missing out on the college football playoff only by reason of an overtime loss to Duke in the ACC title game. They have one of the more experienced teams in the country with all of their offensive line having been starters in 2025. They have added quarterback Beau Pribula, who is coming off previous years as a starter at Penn State and Missouri. He showed he was a running threat in an impressive rout of NC State 34-8 to open the season, and we have witnessed struggles by WVU against mobile quarterbacks.
The Mountaineer defense still has a lot of question marks that will likely be exposed and this one will be an uphill climb. VIRGINIA 40 WEST VIRGINIA 24.