Every fall in Morgantown, “Country Roads” echoes through the mountains after every Mountaineers win—but could that iconic tune be ringing all the way to the College Football Playoff this year?
It sounds bold. Maybe even crazy. But in 2025, with a new 12-team CFP format, what once seemed impossible suddenly feels… within reach.
Under returning head coach Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia football is undergoing a gritty, high-energy reboot. The program that had flatlined into mediocrity is now pulsing with urgency, purpose, and a familiar swagger. And while WVU isn’t on anyone’s preseason playoff shortlist, don’t be surprised if the Mountaineers become this year’s chaos-makers.
So what would it take for West Virginia to crash the CFP party? Let’s break it down.
1. Nicco Marchiol Must Become That Guy
If WVU is going to make real noise in 2025, it starts under center. Quarterback Nicco Marchiol has patiently waited his turn, and now he’s running the show in Rodriguez’s fast-paced spread offense. He doesn’t need to be a Heisman finalist, but he must be the engine of the offense—accurate, decisive, and able to extend plays.
Marchiol doesn’t have to throw for 4,000 yards—but he does have to avoid the backbreaking turnovers that have haunted WVU QBs in recent seasons. With weapons like Jahiem White and Rodney Gallagher III around him, the ceiling is high.
2. A Dominant Run Game + “Rod Speed”
In true Rodriguez fashion, the run game will be the heartbeat. Jahiem White is one of the most dynamic backs in the Big 12, and his blend of vision, speed, and toughness makes him lethal behind a revamped offensive line.
WVU’s tempo under Rodriguez will test defenses weekly. If the line—bolstered by Tulsa transfer Walter Young Bear—can impose its will, the Mountaineers can control games and wear opponents down. Think: 250 rushing yards on a Tuesday night in Lubbock. That’s the formula.
3. A Disruptive, Opportunistic Defense
No playoff team makes it without a defense that can steal possessions. Enter: Jimmori Robinson, the 2024 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, now suiting up for the Mountaineers. His presence on the edge is game-changing, and Edward Vesterinen’s return adds serious muscle up front.
WVU doesn’t need to be Georgia on defense. But it does need to create turnovers, flip fields, and make a few big stands in key moments.
4. Navigating the Big 12 Minefield
Let’s be real—the Big 12 is chaotic. There’s no Alabama or Georgia to dominate, but there are nine teams that could beat you on any Saturday.
WVU will need to win at least 10 games, including a couple statement victories. Beating the likes of Kansas State, Utah, or Oklahoma State would put them in the CFP conversation. A top-15 finish in the rankings? Suddenly, they’re right there.
Final Thoughts: The Dream Is Alive
The odds are long. But for a program built on toughness, underdog pride, and doing more with less, this is the moment.
If the pieces click, if the culture shift takes hold, and if Country Roads keeps playing well into December, then yes—WVU to the CFP isn’t just a fantasy.
It’s a mountain worth climbing.
