3 Guys Before The Game

One game. One overwhelming performance. And an impressive first impression.

Year two of the Ross Hodge era began with a commanding 91-46 victory over Niagara, but the final score tells only part of the story.

West Virginia didn't allow the Purple Eagles a single offensive rebound. Niagara committed more turnovers than it made field goals. And six Mountaineers scored in double figures in a performance that showcased both balance and defensive intensity.

Among the most encouraging developments was the debut of freshman point guard Miles Sadler, who led WVU in scoring and flirted with a double-double in his first collegiate appearance.

It's only one game, but the early evidence suggests the Mountaineers have plenty to build upon.

In this episode, the "Guys" dissect the season opener, examine the numbers behind the lopsided victory and discuss what the performance reveals about Hodge's second team.

Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe goes inside the numbers with Spreads on Stats.

Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

The crew returns Thursday with a preview of Saturday's football game at Texas Tech and Friday's basketball matchup against Stetson.

For one Mountaineer team, it's time to catch its breath. For another, it's time to get started.

After eight consecutive weeks of football, West Virginia has reached a much-needed bye week. The Mountaineers can finally rest, regroup and prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.

They'll also have an opportunity to scout their next opponent. Texas Tech hosts Arizona on Saturday before welcoming WVU to Lubbock the following weekend.

But while the football schedule pauses, the conversation about the program's future continues. Player retention has emerged as a significant topic during the break, underscoring the challenges of building and maintaining a roster in today's rapidly changing college football landscape.

Meanwhile, a new season is about to begin on the hardwood.

West Virginia opens its campaign Monday night against Niagara at Hope Coliseum, bringing fresh expectations and the excitement of a new beginning.

In this episode, the "Guys" examine the final stretch of the football season, discuss the growing importance of player retention and preview the basketball opener against the Purple Eagles.

Brad Howe digs into the numbers with Spreads on Stats, while Hoppy Kercheval delivers his thought-provoking Obvious Observations.

Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

What a difference two weeks can make.

West Virginia was searching for answers after three consecutive losses. Now, the Mountaineers are riding a two-game winning streak into their bye week with renewed confidence and four games remaining in the regular season.

The turnaround continued Saturday in Fort Worth, where WVU stunned 10-point favorite TCU with just enough offense and one final, decisive defensive play.

Against the Big 12's top-rated defense, the Mountaineers found a way to score when necessary. And when TCU threatened to steal the victory, linebacker Ben Cutter delivered.

For the second consecutive week, Cutter made the play that mattered most — recovering a fumble that ended the Horned Frogs' hopes of a game-winning drive.

Two weeks. Two victories. And suddenly, a season that appeared to be slipping away has found new life.

In this episode, the "Guys" dissect the victory, dig into the numbers and reveal how several critical penalties helped shape the outcome.

Brad Howe delivers Spreads on Stats, while Hoppy Kercheval offers his Obvious Observations.
Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

The Big 12's most productive rushing offense is about to meet its toughest run defense.

Something has to give.West Virginia leads the conference in rushing. TCU leads the league in stopping it. Saturday's collision in Fort Worth will test the strength of both units — and could go a long way toward determining the direction of each team's season.

For the Mountaineers, another victory would keep their pursuit of bowl eligibility on track. The Horned Frogs, meanwhile, are searching for consecutive wins for the first time in more than a month.

But for one Mountaineer, the matchup carries a more personal significance.Cam Cook, the nation's fifth-leading rusher, returns to the school where he spent two seasons before emerging as one of college football's most productive running backs.

It's a homecoming filled with emotion — and an opportunity to show his former team just how far he's come.

In this episode, the "Guys" examine the battle in the trenches, the significance of Cook's return and the matchups that could decide Saturday's game.

Brad Howe digs into the numbers with Spreads on Stats, while Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations.

Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

Irish eyes were smiling on the West Virginia football team Saturday.

Jack Cassidy, a kicker from Derry, Ireland, who admits he didn't know the rules of American football when he arrived, became the unlikely hero of the Mountaineers' thrilling 45-42 victory over Cincinnati.

In a game filled with offensive fireworks and defensive frustration, it was a single stop that ultimately made the difference.

After surrendering points throughout much of the afternoon, the WVU defense delivered when it mattered most, setting the stage for Cassidy to write the final chapter.

And what a chapter it was.

More than 1,000 yards of total offense. Eighty-seven combined points. And a young man from Ireland providing the winning kick in a game Mountaineer Nation won't soon forget.

In this episode, the "Guys" dissect the victory, examine the numbers behind the offensive explosion and discuss what the result means for West Virginia moving forward.

The crew also shifts to basketball for a recap of the Mountaineers' exhibition debut at Maryland.

Brad Howe goes inside the numbers with Spreads on Stats, Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, and listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

Cincinnati is rested. West Virginia is restless.

The Bearcats and Mountaineers enter Saturday's matchup in Morgantown from very different places, but both have something to prove.

WVU is desperate to end a three-game losing streak fueled by historically poor defensive performances. Cincinnati, meanwhile, returns from a week off looking to rebound from its first loss of the season at Arizona.

Both teams are built to run the football. Both want to control the tempo. And both know that the ability to stop the opposing ground game could determine Saturday's outcome.

For West Virginia, the stakes extend beyond another conference victory. The Mountaineers must demonstrate they can correct the defensive problems that have derailed a once-promising start.

Can they find the answers before another opportunity slips away?

In this episode, the "Guys" examine the significance of Saturday's matchup, break down the keys to victory and explore what the outcome could mean for the remainder of WVU's season.

Brad Howe digs into the numbers with Spreads on Stats, while Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations.

Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

The crew returns Monday with a recap of the Cincinnati game and West Virginia basketball's exhibition matchup at Maryland.

The frustration is growing. The answers remain elusive. And the numbers are becoming impossible to ignore.

West Virginia's 52-31 loss to Arizona on Saturday was another painful chapter in a season increasingly defined by defensive struggles.

The Mountaineers have now surrendered a staggering 138 points in their last three games. Three consecutive Big 12 losses have transformed early-season optimism into mounting concern throughout Mountaineer Nation.

So, where does WVU go from here?

Coach Rich Rodriguez isn't hiding his frustration. He acknowledges the problems and vows to continue searching for solutions. But with the conference schedule moving forward, the time for finding answers is growing shorter.

In this episode, the "Guys" examine the latest setback, dissect the defensive breakdowns and dig into the troubling numbers with Brad Howe's Spreads on Stats.

Listener questions, frustrations and observations take center stage in another edition of Textual Healing.

The crew returns Thursday with a complete preview of Saturday's Homecoming matchup against Cincinnati.

Opportunity and urgency will collide Saturday in Morgantown.

After consecutive Big 12 losses, West Virginia returns home needing a response. Waiting for the Mountaineers is Arizona — and one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football.

Noah Fifita is already the Wildcats’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes. He now gets his opportunity against a WVU defense that has surrendered 86 points over the last two games.
It’s a matchup that could define where West Virginia’s season goes next.

But the challenge works both ways.

Arizona’s ultra-aggressive defense must contend with a Mountaineer offense powered by Michael Hawkins and Cam Cook. The duo has combined to produce 23 touchdowns through just five games and presents a very different problem for the Wildcats.

Something has to give.

In this episode, the “Guys” break down the matchups that will determine Saturday’s game and examine what West Virginia must do to end its two-game slide.

Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe tells the analytical story with Spreads on Stats.

Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

Saturday was memorable for the West Virginia football team — for all the wrong reasons.

The Mountaineers scored 42 points on the road and still came home without a victory.

Iowa State repeatedly overwhelmed the WVU defense on its way to a 45-42 win, handing West Virginia its second consecutive Big 12 loss and turning an early-season concern into an increasingly urgent question.

Can the Mountaineers stop anyone?

After opening the season with encouraging signs, WVU has reached a pivotal point. The offense produced enough points to win in Ames. The defense could not produce enough stops.

Now, with Arizona coming to Morgantown, solutions must come quickly.

In this episode, the “Guys” dissect what went wrong against Iowa State, examine the growing concerns defensively and dig into the numbers with Brad Howe’s Spreads on Stats.

Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while listener questions, frustrations and comments pour into Textual Healing.

The “Guys” return Thursday with their complete preview of West Virginia’s matchup against Arizona.

October has arrived, and with it comes West Virginia’s first Big 12 road test.

The leaves may still be on the trees, but Saturday’s trip to Iowa State could tell us plenty about where the Mountaineers fit in the conference landscape.

Was last week’s disappointing loss to Oklahoma State simply a bad night? Or did it expose problems that must be corrected before WVU can establish itself in the upper half of the Big 12?

Ames should provide some answers.In this episode, the “Guys” take a deep dive into the Cyclones under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers. They examine the matchups, numbers and pressure points that could determine whether West Virginia can respond with an important road victory.

Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe opens the statistical fire hose with Spreads on Stats.

Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

Well, that was painful.

One week after West Virginia energized Mountaineer Nation with an impressive victory over No. 25 Virginia, the momentum disappeared in a 41-24 loss to Oklahoma State.

The result was more than a disappointing start to Big 12 play. It exposed problems that must be addressed quickly and left the Mountaineers facing an unavoidable question:

Now what?

There’s little time to dwell on the answer. West Virginia must identify what went wrong, correct it and prepare for its first Big 12 road test Saturday at Iowa State.

In this episode, the “Guys” dissect the loss to the Cowboys, dig into the numbers behind the result and examine what must change for WVU to rebound in Ames.

Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe goes inside the numbers with Spreads on Stats.

And yes, there’s plenty to discuss. Listener questions, frustrations and observations pour into Textual Healing.

The “Guys” return Thursday with their complete preview of West Virginia’s matchup against Iowa State.

Things are about to get very interesting for the Mountaineer football team.

Saturday night’s Big 12 Conference opener against Oklahoma State gives WVU a chance to match last season’s win total before September is over.

It’s a clash of contrasting styles—and two teams that have recorded statement wins. WVU’s run-heavy attack blossomed in last week’s victory over No. 25 Virginia, while Oklahoma State arrives with a win over No. 8 Oregon on its résumé.

In this episode, the “Guys” break down the key matchups and what it will take for the Mountaineers to open conference play with a victory.

Hoppy delivers his Obvious Observations, Brad presents Spreads on Stats, and listener questions and comments round out the episode with Textual Healing.

Can you hear that?

Mountaineer Nation is still buzzing after West Virginia delivered its most complete performance of the young season, imposing its will on No. 25 Virginia in Saturday night’s 38-27 victory in Charlotte.

For a rebuilt WVU roster that had shown promise but lacked consistency in victories over Coastal Carolina and UT Martin, this felt different.

The Mountaineers were physical. They were productive. And, perhaps most importantly, they offered the clearest evidence yet of what this team could become.

Now comes the next test.

In this episode, the “Guys” break down the victory, dig inside the numbers and examine what Saturday’s performance revealed about West Virginia as it prepares for its Big 12 opener against Oklahoma State.

Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe goes inside the numbers with Spreads on Stats.

The crew returns Thursday with its complete preview of WVU versus Oklahoma State.

A big game deserves a big show.

With West Virginia preparing to face No. 25 Virginia on Saturday in Charlotte, the “Guys” explore the matchup and what it could reveal about the Mountaineers.

Starting offensive lineman Nick Krahe joins the program to assess WVU’s first two games and discuss the challenge ahead against the Cavaliers. WVU Athletics Director Wren Baker details contract extensions for three Mountaineer head coaches, shares the latest on the Protect College Sports Act and recounts a recent painful encounter with a copperhead snake.

Hoppy delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad digs into the numbers behind the matchup with Spreads on Stats.

Mission accomplished. Now the stakes rise.

West Virginia improved to 2-0 Saturday with a commanding 52-7 victory over UT Martin. The Mountaineers scored on the third play of their opening drive and never looked back, giving Rich Rodriguez the opportunity to put his reserves to work throughout the second half.

It was the result WVU expected. Next comes a much tougher test: a Saturday night showdown with No. 25 Virginia in Charlotte. Both teams enter at 2-0, but how ready are the Mountaineers for the step up in competition?

In this episode, the “Guys” break down the win over the Skyhawks, dig into the numbers behind the lopsided score and discuss what the performance reveals about WVU heading into its biggest challenge yet.

One win. Two very different halves. Plenty to clean up.

The Mountaineers return to Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday with a clear objective: put together a complete game against the UT Martin Skyhawks.WVU’s season-opening victory over Coastal Carolina showcased an efficient, productive first half.

The second half raised more questions than answers. Now, the heavily favored Mountaineers have an opportunity to correct their mistakes and build consistency against their FCS visitors.

In this episode, Brad Howe (@bradhowe07) and the “Guys” break down the matchup with Spreads on Stats. Hoppy Kercheval (@HoppyKercheval) delivers Obvious Observations, including a proposal for a major rule change.

Listener questions and comments close out the show in Textual Healing.

3 Guys returns Sunday to recap Saturday’s game.

Rain and sunshine greeted the Mountaineers in Saturday’s season opener. Their performance followed a similar forecast.

WVU’s 31-24 victory over Coastal Carolina delivered the desired result, but the path to it revealed plenty that needs immediate correction.

In this episode, the “Guys” return to Sunday morning recaps to break down what worked in the first half, what went wrong in the second and what the Mountaineers must fix moving forward.

Hoppy delivers his Obvious Observations, Brad digs into the stats and analytics, and listener questions and comments close the show with Textual Healing.

FINALLY … it’s here.

At long last, West Virginia will open its 134th football season Saturday when the Mountaineers host Coastal Carolina.

Along with the traditional optimism surrounding a season opener, the game will feature the formal retirement of legendary quarterback Pat White’s No. 5.

In this episode, the “Guys” examine the biggest storylines surrounding Saturday’s matchup. Brad digs deep into the numbers with Spreads on Stats, Hoppy delivers his Obvious Observations, and listeners have their say in Textual Healing.

The crew returns Sunday with a complete Coastal Carolina recap.

The first game of the college football season always brings optimism, but that feeling is even stronger at West Virginia as Rich Rodriguez and his retooled roster prepare to open the season.

Saturday’s opener against Coastal Carolina carries added significance as legendary quarterback Pat White has his number retired during a pregame ceremony.

In this episode, the “Guys” preview Week 1 and visit with Coastal Carolina play-by-play announcer Chris Burgin. Hoppy delivers his Obvious Observations, and listener questions and comments fuel another round of Textual Healing.

The crew returns Thursday with its complete preview of Saturday’s game.

The final major scrimmage of the preseason is complete. Now, the soundtrack is changing.

The sounds drifting across the West Virginia University campus belong to the Pride of West Virginia, as the marching band prepares for next week’s season opener against Coastal Carolina.

The drums are getting louder. Game day is getting closer.

In this episode, the “Guys” unveil their final batch of preseason Over/Under propositions. Brad zeroes in on an intriguing offensive category and a critical defensive statistic that rarely receives the attention it deserves.

The numbers have been set. The predictions have been made. All that remains is to play the games and discover who knew what they were talking about — and who absolutely did not.

Hoppy delivers his Obvious Observations, while listener questions and comments complete the show with Textual Healing.