The West Virginia Mountaineers lost their second consecutive game to open Big 12 play on Saturday, and they did so in quite embarrassing, ugly fashion. West Virginia allowed 577 offensive yards and 29 first downs to an Iowa State team who was among the bottom 30 teams in the FBS on offense.
It was clear that whatever the Mountaineers put on the field Saturday, particularly defensively, isn't going to get the job done. And it's the second straight week we've had to say this about West Virginia defensively. Now, fans are starting to get upset about the performance.
Such a bad, bad loss for @WVUfootball in Rich Rod’s second season to a @CycloneFB team picked to finish last in the Big 12. Lack of discipline. And the defense rivals 2012 as the worst in school history. Embarrassing for the Mountaineer program. pic.twitter.com/yh32dg54vn
— Mitch Vingle (@MitchVingle) October 3, 2026
— EerRational (@EerRational) October 3, 2026
There is no excuse. NONE. Not ok even if it’s “only” Year 2. And some of y’all try to call this “Year ONE”. This is unacceptable
— Brandon Phoenix (@IAlsoHatepitt) October 3, 2026
Fans are clearly fed up with the Mountaineers, and most of them are calling out the defense in particular. After giving up over 600 yards against Oklahoma State last weekend, West Virginia turned in another "atrocious" performance today. That word is in quotation marks because they belong to Rich Rodriguez. That's how he described the performance after the game.
You're five games into the season, and save for the win against Virginia, it feels like Rodriguez hasn't had much good to say about the defense. And neither do the fans, clearly. Most of the angriest reactions from the fan base during and after the game seemed to be focused on the defense. Check them out below.
The defense is season ruining bad. The offense has slightly flaws but is easily a top 25 offense in the country.
— Huddy Tuddy (@TrustTheClimb03) October 3, 2026
Something has to change before Arizona next week.
577 yards of offense for ISU
— WVU Barstool (@WVUBarstool) October 3, 2026
A team who had struggled offensively before today and was in the bottom half nationally in about every category.
It seems like the WVU defense is wasting Mike and Cam. Very bad loss. Historically bad defense.
Everyone: "Mike, fire up the DC hot board."
— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) October 3, 2026
Me: pic.twitter.com/AvNFYZixW2
The Defense is Absurd 🤦🏽♂️
— Gabe Osabuohien (@loadyg__) October 3, 2026
If RR wants to keep the loyal fan base, he needs to fire Alley. I don’t care what time of year it is. Just do it.
— april arena carney (@carney0134) October 3, 2026
Cursed program.
— WVU Barstool (@WVUBarstool) October 3, 2026
Gotta make some changes on defense, this isn’t on DJ at all. It’s on Zac Alley and the defense. There needs to be a change, and if that happens tomorrow. I’m ready. Pathetic, sorry, defense. May be over for Zac at WVU.
Officially out on alley.
— Whitey Williams (@MountainGrown71) October 3, 2026
Would love to be wrong. I’ve seen nothing to dissuade that opinion. Paying him far too much for this product.
It's clear that the fan base, and perhaps Rich Rodriguez himself, are growing weary of the defensive product being out on the football field. Everyone feels like they're waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak, and it's clear something is going to need to change. Now, as the fan base stews in anger over the loss, it's just a matter of when.
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