Latest Bowl Projections Offer WVU, Neal Brown Chance at Revenge

With WVU now one win away from clinching bowl eligibility, the Mountaineers are projected to face a program that would offer Neal Brown a chance at some revenge.

Now in Week 12, Brett McMurphy of the Action Network is projecting West Virginia to meet Minnesota in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. McMurphy has Minnesota as a slight favorite in this potential matchup.

While WVU is 5-4 (4-2, Big 12) and coming off back-to-back road conference wins, the Golden Gophers are 6-4 (4-3, Big Ten) and looking to rebound after a loss to Rutgers.

If this bowl projection ends up coming true, it would pit the Mountaineers against the same school Brown faced in his second bowl game as WVU’s head coach. Back in 2021, Minnesota beat West Virginia 18-6 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. WVU star running back Leddie Brown opted to not participate in the bowl game.

Another Big 12 road win caused WVU to move up a few spots in the latest ESPN FPI (Football Power Index). However, and possibly due to the ugly nature of the win, the Mountaineers only advanced from No. 54 to No. 51 after their triumph over Cincinnati.

WVU Football Moves Up in ESPN FPI, Still Sits Behind Teams They Beat

A win is a win, but Brown still left Cincinnati disappointed with one key aspect of his team. West Virginia beat the Bearcats on Saturday afternoon, 31-24, but the big number on the scoreboard was thanks to multiple defensive touchdowns, not an offensive showing to be proud of.

And before WVU can worry about any postseason, they have Baylor coming to Morgantown for a critical game in the Big 12.

West Virginia at 5-4 (4-2, Big 12) and Baylor 5-4 (3-3, Big 12) will kickoff from Milan Puskar Stadium at 4 pm ET on Saturday, Nov 16.

For a related story, Neal Brown hints at what’s stopping him from naming a starting quarterback for Baylor.