Neal Brown Views West Virginia Opening with Penn State as Opportunity for Big 12

WVU head coach Neal Brown knows West Virginia hosting Penn State for the first time in over 30 years is a big deal. He knows it’s a big deal for both historic programs, but he also knows it’s a big deal for the Big 12.

“It’s not just a big game for West Virginia,” Brown said at Big 12 Media Days. “It’s a big game for our league, and it’s an opportunity for our league and this new Big 12, without a couple schools that have been a part of the Big 12 for a long time in that first weekend on a marquee stage, to show what kind of football that we play in this league.”

West Virginia coach Neal Brown on the Week 1 contest against Penn State, and what it means for the rest of the Big 12 at Media Day.

“It’s not just a big game for West Virginia” pic.twitter.com/h3MixMhvmE

— Lyle Alenstein (@LAlenstein) July 17, 2024

The 2024 seasons kicks off a new era in the Big 12 – the conference is now home to 16 teams with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah debuting and former staples Oklahoma and Texas playing in the SEC.

There was once a time when West Virginia was a Big 12 newbie, having come over from the Big East before the 2012 season.

Now, West Virginia is a Big 12 vet, and Brown knows beating Penn State would go a long way in re-establishing the new-look league.

“Without a question it’s something, whether it’s West Virginia or any other program in the Big 12 gets those kind of marquee wins, our brand will continue to grow and we’ve got to make some noise in the playoff,” Brown said. “I think Commissioner [Brett] Yormark spoke about this: We’re the most competitive league. I would say we’re the deepest football league in the entire country. But we’ve got to go. TCU had a nice run, but we’ve got to have more wins in the playoff once we get in.”

West Virginia and Penn State are scheduled to be Fox’s “Big Noon” game on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Quarterback Garrett Greene celebrates the first WVU touchdown of the season versus Penn State on Sept. 2, 2023. WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose.

Head Coach Neal Brown and new Offensive Coordinator Chad Scott watch over warm ups prior to kick off with Penn State. WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose.

Brown’s excited about the Big Noon kick.

“We’re fired up about that,” Brown said about the FOX broadcast. “Our fans will be ready for that, too.”

Part of this story initially appeared on our partner site Nittany Sports Now.

For a related story, Neal Brown is embracing WVU’s underdog role.