WVU Football Losing Streak in Historical Context

With the loss to Oklahoma State yesterday, the Mountaineers have extended their losing streak to 4 games.

Nov 10, 2012; Stillwater OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith (12) is tackled by Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle Calvin Barnett (99) during the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Losing, especially on this scale and magnitude, is not common to the Mountaineers team and fans. West Virginia enjoys a very proud football tradition that features more than 700 wins. Like any other program in the country, the Mountaineers have also racked up many losses and, unfortunately, many losing streaks.

This year’s 4-game losing streak stands out from the some of the other rough patches in WVU history. Let’s put this dark period into historical context:

• 51: The number of seasons in which the Mountaineers have lost fewer than 4 games
• 14: The number of seasons in which the Mountaineers have had a 4-game or longer losing streak (Those seasons include 2012, 2001, 1986, 1980, 1978, 1977, 1974, 1973, 1959, 1958, 1950, 1947, 1939, and 1933)
• 11: The number of years since WVU has last seen a 4-game losing streak (2001 season)
• 7: The number of seasons in which West Virginia has made a bowl game with 4 or more losses in the regular season (2008, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1994, 1987, 1984)
• 3: The number of seasons in which the Mountaineers won a bowl game after losing 4 or more regular season games (2008 Car Care Bowl, 2000 Music City Bowl, and 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl)
• 0: The number of seasons in which the Mountaineers have had a 4-game losing streak and also made a bowl game

Those are some sobering facts for the Mountaineers as they fight to salvage their inaugural Big XII campaign.