WVU Cracks Top 25 of Media Poll After Being Left Out of Major Selectors

WVU earned a preseason top 25 ranking after all. After failing to crack the rankings of major polls, West Virginia does make PFF’s list at No. 25

While PFF isn’t a major selector like the Associated Press and Coaches Poll, they show the Mountaineers more love than the others by including them just inside their rankings heading into the 2024 season.

1. Georgia
25. West Virginia

PFF’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings⬇️https://t.co/JS7s0jLcDG

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 16, 2024

In contrast to PFF’s poll, WVU came in at No. 33 in the other previously mentioned polls. West Virginia received 22 votes in the Coaches Poll and 17 from the Associated Press voters.

Unfortunately for Neal Brown, PFF isn’t the poll he covets respect from.

Brown also isn’t shy about expressing his feelings about the national perception of the WVU football program.

“If you just look at our resume, how we finished the year, quality wins we had last year with what we had coming back, that resume is going to get in the Top 25. So what gives? I don’t know. Our top players are being undervalued,” said Brown when prompted for his reaction to the Coaches Poll being revealed on Monday.

Neal Brown Reacts to WVU Being Left Out of Major Poll’s Top 25

This is far from the first time Brown has mentioned a disrespect towards WVU, even suggesting the slights are not just about the present day team or during his tenure.

While Brown is well aware that WVU is the winningest program all-time in the Big 12, he’s not sure if everyone around the country respects the Mountaineers place in the history of college football.

Brown actually labeled West Virginia as “one of the most undervalued” programs from an historical perspective. He then noted that he makes sure to detail WVU’s past success to his players.

Despite entering 2024 on the heels of the accomplishments of 2023, Brown did admit most of the program’s historical success came before joining the Big 12. WVU owns 15 conference championships, but has yet to win one in the Big 12. But Brown confidently added “it’s coming” about returning West Virginia to glory and winning a title within college football’s new Power Four landscape.

Neal Brown Argues the WVU Football Program is Historically Undervalued

West Virginia is coming off of a 9-4 record last year, capped off by a Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina. The Mountaineers are currently in fall camp and preparing for the season opener against a ranked Penn State team. Along with PSU, five Big 12 teams were voted into the Coaches Poll: Utah, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Kansas.

Note: It was the Coaches Poll that ranked WVU in its final top 25 for the 2023 season.

For a related story, Mike Asti and Ethan Bock played game of over/under to predict WVU player’s seasons.