Entering Saturday’s primetime matchup with Kansas State, we knew that West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene would have to perform at a high level if the Mountaineers were to have a chance to win. But Greene’s performance, along with the rest of the team's performance, ended up being one to forget in yet another loss to a ranked opponent for West Virginia.
Before leaving the game with an injury, Greene completed just 9 of his 19 pass attempts and threw 2 interceptions -- including a pick six. This is the second consecutive week that Greene threw 2 interceptions under the lights on national TV.
Immense Disappointment
Football season started with lofty expectations in Morgantown this fall after a 9-4 season in 2023. WVU’s football team has not lived up to these expectations by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it is possible we have now reached the lowest point of the tenure of Head Coach Neal Brown, and it is increasingly likely that WVU will have a new head coach sooner rather than later. Brown now has a 3-17 record against ranked opponents at WVU, and has yet to claim a regular season win against an FBS team who has finshed their season with 7-or-more wins through five and a half seasons.
Even after losing to Penn State and Pittsburgh in the non-conference, WVU still had an opportunity to compete in the wide-open Big 12. After knocking off Kansas and Oklahoma State, WVU had an opportunity handed to them on a silver platter. There were two primetime games against two ranked opponents, and both matchups were at home. West Virginia was embarrassed in both games and now sit at 2-2 in conference and 3-4 overall. These blown opportunities are not indicative of a program fostering a competitive culture.
Not only did WVU get blown out yet again, but key players on the roster took a beating including Greene, Jahiem White, and Wyatt Milum -- all of whom missed the second half due to injury.
Fans have certainly been vocal about their desire to see Nicco Marchiol take over the starting quarterback position. While Greene possesses many characteristics that are commendable, he simply has not made any improvements this season. In his second season as the full-time starter, Greene has struggled tremendously tossing 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions through 7 games. Whether or not Greene will be sidelined with injury or Marchiol gets the starting nod regardless, remains to be seen.
WVU hasn’t beaten an FBS team in the regular season who finished with more 7 wins since 2019.
— N Arthur (@NarthurD) October 20, 2024
It is certainly unlikely that Neal Brown will be on the WVU sideline next season, and may not even make season’s end at this point.