National Analyst ‘Optimistic’ About WVU Football Bouncing Back in 2026

After a rough 4-8 season in 2025, there’s pressure on Rich Rodriguez to get WVU football rolling again. A roster full of new faces makes it difficult to predict what will happen in 2026, but there’s at least one member of the national media who’s optimistic about West Virginia.

In a story in which CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli provides his outlook for a select group of college football teams, he explains why he expects the Mountaineers to enjoy a much better season in year two of Rodriguez’s second tenure.

Below is what Fornelli offers as his rational:

“Yep! I am optimistic about West Virginia! It’s not just that I think Rich Rodriguez is an underrated coach (he is), and that this team is more talented than many realize (it is), it’s also the schedule. Three home non conference games against Coastal Carolina, UT Martin and Virginia are winnable.

The Mountaineers also get five Big 12 games at home, giving them eight home games on the season. They won’t leave Morgantown until October. Road games against TCU, Texas Tech and Utah won’t be fun, but Oklahoma State, Arizona, Cincinnati, Kansas and Houston all have to come to Milan Puskar Stadium. This team is going bowling.”

WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez looks at his play sheet in the middle of a game during the 2025 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

No matter what anyone may think of the roster, granted it’s impossible to argue it’s not improved based on the recruiting success of the offseason, Fornelli is mostly just pointing to an easier schedule as what makes him confident on the Mountaineers. He does seem to also temper his expectations to WVU reaching bowl eligibility, not contending for the Big 12 title.

For related content, Mike Asti and Luke Blain discussed if Rodriguez can duplicate Curt Cignetti’s championship recipe at Indiana on a recent episode of Mountaineer Report.

Find more coverage of the WVU Football program at WV Sports Now.