In a highly-anticipated matchup with the 11th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones, West Virginia suffered their first loss in Big 12 play in a 28-16 heartbreaker.
Just this season, West Virginia (3-3) has had 3 games that had a noticeably different, upbeat energy heading into game day. All 3 of those games resulted in losses for the Mountaineers. In the 6-year head coaching tenure of Neal Brown, this has largely become an expectation. As unfortunate as it is to admit, Brown has yet to win a “big” game as the head coach of West Virginia. In fact, including Saturday's loss, WVU is now 3-16 overall against ranked opponents during his stint in Morgantown.
After a 9-win season in 2023, expectations surrounding WVU were very high. Now sitting at 3-3 after 3 losses that a program and fanbase desperately wanted to win, Brown is still on the hot seat. Sure, it is just 1 conference loss and there is time for WVU to put together an impressive season, Neal Brown’s track record does not bode well for WVU’s chances of an 8 or 9-win season.
Brown’s coaching record at WVU is now 34-32 overall. For perspective, his predecessor Dana Holgorsen had a record of 61-41.
Neal Brown in any game that actually matters: pic.twitter.com/7fuAtn7c0s
— WVU Barstool (@WVUBarstool) October 13, 2024
Has Neal Brown ever beaten a good team I’m dead serious
— WVU Barstool (@WVUBarstool) October 13, 2024
Yes, West Virginia has a chance to be competitive in Big 12 play and win more games this season. The problem that fans have is that time and time again, when the lights are brightest, West Virginia comes out on the losing end. In his sixth season, Brown has yet to collect what many would call a “signature” win. Against the No. 11 Cyclones, he had an opportunity to do just that, but the Mountaineers could not get the job done.
The opportunities keep coming for West Virginia as a talented Kansas State team comes to Morgantown next Saturday night for another primetime matchup. The Wildcats enter No. 17 in the lastest AP Poll (the Cyclones moved to No. 9 following their win). Through 6 games, West Virginia has suffered three losses in the form of pills that were hard to swallow. The game at Pitt was an emotionally tough loss and WVU responded with two consecutive wins to begin Big 12 play. How will Brown and the Mountaineers respond this time around? That remains to be seen.