Neal Brown on Mountaineers Feeling Disrespected: ‘It’s Going to Continue to Fuel Us’

WVU head coach Neal Brown isn’t shy about defending his team, but he also understands the Mountaineers need to keep winning to actually prove doubters wrong.

Even during a bye week without a game to prepare for, Brown is still talking to the media when asked. On Thursday, Brown appeared on Sirius XM’s Big 12 channel to discuss West Virginia’s surprising 4-1 start and what’s ahead throughout the rest of the season.

"Honestly it's going to continue to fuel us."@WVUfootball HC Neal Brown told @GabeIkard how being ranked last in the preseason poll is still motivation.

Hear the full interview on Big 12 Radio, channel 375, today at 4ET!https://t.co/avS77dKtJd#HailWV pic.twitter.com/l2pxlcn08T

— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) October 4, 2023

And when Brown was asked to say something to those who picked WVU to finish last in the conference, Brown didn’t hold back. “I thought it was lazy reporting. I didn’t think it was fair, first of all. We returned a lot of talent on our defensive front. And our offensive line, which I think is the most important position in all of football, we had either the third or fourth most starts returning and arguably one of the best groups in the entire country. And people weren’t talking about that,” said Brown.

He then continued. “I watched our team all spring, watched them all summer, and I knew we had the ability to be a real quality football team, also knew we play a tough schedule. But it has been fuel. And honestly, it’s going to continue to fuel us. Here we are 4-1 and we’re not ranked in the top 25. And I think us and Maryland are the only two teams with three Power Five wins that aren’t ranked and our only loss is to one of the best teams in the country on their home field.”

WVU Football Receives Top 25 Votes After Upset Win Over TCU

In typical coach fashion, Brown ended his rant by saying, “we’ve got a ways to go to continue to prove people wrong” and mentioning how his team has to keep winning to earn the respect he feels they deserve.

Brown also seems confident the Mountaineers can make that happen. On Monday during his weekly press conference, Brown made it known that he believes people have not actually seen the best of West Virginia this season.

“Our best football is in front of us,” said a confident Neal Brown.

For a related story, an Associated Press voter explains why he included WVU in his top 25.

You can also click here to read Mike Asti’s case for why West Virginia deserves to be ranked.