West Virginia’s 49-35 defeat to Baylor at home not only marked their fourth loss in Morgantown this season but also effectively ended their dreams of competing in the Big 12 Championship. Now at 5-5, the Mountaineers face a pivotal moment as they struggle to salvage their season.
Key Takeaways from WVU’s Disheartening Performance
A Defense in Crisis
The Mountaineers’ defensive woes reached a new low against Baylor. Despite showing promise last week against Cincinnati, WVU’s defense was plagued by poor tackling, missed assignments, and a lack of pressure up front. Defensive coordinator Jeff Koonz has faced criticism, but the root of the problem may lie deeper, with head coach Neal Brown’s leadership and personnel decisions under scrutiny.
With two games left, a quick fix seems unlikely, leaving the offseason transfer portal as WVU’s best hope for a defensive turnaround.
Garrett Greene’s Uneven Return
Quarterback Garrett Greene returned to action after recovering from injury but delivered a mixed performance. Despite flashes of potential, his day was marred by dropped passes, errant throws, and an interception. Greene’s struggles were compounded by a lack of support from his receivers, though his return provided a glimmer of hope for future games.
Missed Opportunities
The defense managed to shut out Baylor in the third quarter, but the offense faltered in critical moments. Conservative play-calling and reliance on horizontal runs limited WVU’s ability to capitalize on defensive stops, leaving fans frustrated as the team missed chances to close the gap.
Home-Field Disappointments
West Virginia’s home record this season has been a sore point. From early losses to Penn State and Kansas State to Saturday’s defeat, the Mountaineers have consistently underperformed at Milan Puskar Stadium. This latest loss underscores the challenges WVU faces in creating a true home-field advantage.
What’s Next for WVU?
With just two games remaining, the Mountaineers must regroup to secure bowl eligibility. However, the underlying issues—defensive lapses, inconsistent quarterback play, and poor execution in critical moments—paint a bleak picture for their chances to finish strong.
Fans will now wait to see how Neal Brown and his squad respond in their home finale, but the mounting pressure raises questions about the program’s trajectory and leadership heading into 2025.
Here are Neal Brown's Big 12 wins over the last two seasons, along with that team's conference record.
2023
Texas Tech 5-4
TCU 3-6
UCF 3-6
BYU 2-7
Cincinnati 1-8
Baylor 2-7Combined: 16-38
2024
Kansas 2-4
Oklahoma State 0-7
Arizona 2-5
Cincinnati 3-3Combined: 7-19
— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) November 17, 2024
