Storylines to Keep an Eye On for WVU-Baylor in West Virginia’s Return Home

With both teams still technically in the Big 12 race, Saturday’s matchup between WVU and Baylor is one with a lot on the line. Can West Virginia do what they’ve been doing on the road back at home as they continue to try to make 2024 a successful season?

Garrett Greene to start

WV Sports Now can confirm the Saturday morning report by ESPN’S Pete Thamel that Garrett Greene is going to make his return and start for West Virginia against Baylor.

Greene starting comes after he was a full participant at practice all week. On Thursday, WVU head coach Neal Brown confirmed that what he said would occur this week with Greene has materialized fine.

Greene has not played since exiting the Kansas State game at halftime.

WVU Injury Updates

After being forced to share some bad injury news during his weekly press conference on Monday, Neal Brown was able to offer positive updates on his radio show.

First off, Brown confirmed that what he said would occur this week with Greene has materialized fine. Greene has been a full participant at practice and been able to throw without any setbacks.

In addition to Greene, wide receiver Hudson Clement also practiced all week and is expected to play against Baylor. Clement was a last minute scratch in Cincinnati, not playing after sustaining an injury late last week leading up to the game.

But despite those pieces of good news, there’s still no chance to see the other injured players in action this week.

Brown reiterated that several key members of his team will be out this week and are unlikely to return at all this season.

Brown said that Aubrey Burks, Ayden Garnes and Jaden Bray will miss this week’s game against Baylor.

How WVU Football Could End Up in Big 12 Title Game

Are you saying there’s a chance? Well, if you’re asking if WVU still has a chance to appear in the Big 12 Championship Game, yes, there’s still a chance.

In fact, not only is it possible, the exact turn of events needed to make that happen is starting to become clear in the final weeks of the regular season.

No one was dreaming of a conference title when West Virginia crawled into conference play at 1-2 in turmoil following an embarrassing season opening loss to Penn State and a devastating blown game to Pitt. And fans were so frustrated after poor performances in big conference home games (with a viral moment sandwiched in between) that “Fire Neal Brown” billboards started popping up around Morgantown.

But none of that will matter if the Mountaineers are in Dallas playing for the Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

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

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.

Baylor will enter the game off a bye. The Bears are riding a win streak of their own, a three-game streak over Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and TCU.

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, Mike Asti and Cody Nespor preview WVU vs. Baylor and discuss the asinine West Virginia high school football situation.