In a must-win game in a tough road environment, WVU football will meet Iowa State as the Mountaineers try to avoid an 0-2 hole in the conference standings. Can West Virginia get back on their early-season winning ways and stay in the hunt or will they fall to the pressure and let a promising season slip away?

Below are some of the key storylines to keep an eye on during the game.

Preparing to Play, What Does WVU Think They’re Getting in JaCorey Thomas?

On the heels of the WVU defense allowing 609 yards, JaCorey Thomas is working his way towards getting on the field to help.

And with Thomas fully apart of his new team, it’s time to learn more about West Virginia’s prized acquisition. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley labeled Thomas as a “physical” player and someone who is easy to be around. Alley called him “fun loving” and said he was able to be easily be accepted in the locker room despite the award scenario of coming in with the season already underway and competing to take playing time away from existing contributors.

Thomas, who spent four seasons at Georgia from 2022-25, and several others were granted an injunction and temporary restraining order thanks to a ruling inside a Monroe Circuit Court in the State of Indiana in front of West Virginia’s game with Oklahoma State. However, there wasn’t enough time to get him ready to play by Saturday night.

Now a week later, Rich Rodriguez hinted at Thomas being on track to make his Mountaineer debut at Iowa State. Alley even revealed how he’s spent some one-on-one time with Thomas since to get him up to speed and figure out how to best employ him against the Cyclones.

Zac Alley Addresses Accusations About WVU Football Defense Being Ill-Prepared

After a lackluster performance against Oklahoma State, WVU football defensive coordinator Zac Alley was not pleased with his defense.

He even echoed head coach Rich Rodriguez’s sentiment about the defense not being prepared enough ahead of the game.

“Giving up 600 yards makes me feel like we weren’t ready,” Alley said in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “So probably a mistake and oversight on my end. Tried to do something different to affect the quarterback because he’s a good player.”

Alley gave two potential solutions to being ill-prepared: simplifying the defense and working technique.

“I think you simplify it for them, you know, keep them in some things they can match up and get going on. A lot of its technique. We’ve got to work our technique better,” Alley said.

TE Ryan Ward Believes Consistency is Key for WVU Football

Redshirt sophomore tight end Ryan Ward is in his second year with the WVU football program, and has seen the team take a step forward from where they were one year ago. But upon self reflecting on the tight end room, he said his position group needs more consistency.

“I think we got to be more consistent, but we got some veteran guys in the room, so I know we’ll continue to get it, keep it rolling,” Ward said in a press conferenceon Tuesday afternoon.

Ward wants consistency across the board, including in the receiving and blocking aspects.

“Just everything— blocking, pass, Like pass protection, catching the ball, you know, knowing what to do when you catch the ball. So just everything,” Ward said.

Key WVU Football WR Out for Iowa State Game

West Virginia wide receiver Armoni Weaver-Bomar was listed as out on Wednesday night’s injury report. Weaver-Bomar has caught three passes for 67 yards with one touchdown so far in 2026.

He joins an injury report that also includes running back Andre Devine, defensive lineman Darius Wiley, who went down in the season-opener with a season-ending injury, and nickel safety Emory Snyder.

Spread

West Virginia sits as a -2.5-point underdog to Iowa State, according to most major sportsbooks.

In desperate need of a conference win, the Mountaineers head into their Week 5 matchup at 3-1 (0-1, Big 12). WVU is coming off a second half collapse to Oklahoma State that resulted in a 41-24 loss to the Cowboys.

West Virginia and Iowa State will kickoff from Ames, Iowa at noon ET on Saturday, Oct. 3. The game is scheduled to broadcast nationally on TNT.

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