WVU HC Neal Brown Knows Mountaineers Can’t Afford to Overlook Baylor

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Unlike at this time one week ago, WVU head coach Neal Brown is starting off the new week pleased with his team’s performance. But no matter how his team played in their last game, Brown always preaches being singularly focused, something that greatly applies this week.

The Mountaineers may have clinched a winning season with a 42-21 win over Cincinnati, something already far beyond what most expected to occur this year, but that doesn’t mean they are satisfied or their work is done. Brown knows the expectations of the West Virginia program go beyond just having a winning season. He also knows his team can’t afford to overlook anybody.

WVU HC Neal Brown says team needs to have a singular focus on just game ahead and not worry about bowl projections etc.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) November 20, 2023

“I’m not sure we need to be overlooking anybody. To me it’s about finishing. They’ve really dominated us down there. I think 1-4 as a program down there,” said Brown when asked about avoiding a potential “trap game” situation to close the regular season with a bowl game on the horizon no matter what.

Oddsmakers are confident WVU will win comfortably in their final game of the season against Baylor and reach eight wins, but the Mountaineers know oddsmakers and “experts” can be wrong as well as anyone. The Bears are 3-8 (2-6) and only have pride to play for. It’s also been reported that they will likely be without their starting quarterback.

At the same time Brown was talking, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda was conducting a media session of his own and said, “it’s not looking great right now” when asked about the status of Blake Shapen. He is dealing with a head injury.

Injury update on Baylor’s quarterback. https://t.co/BG3SmvNSae

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) November 20, 2023

On the flip side of everything the Mountaineers still have to play for, Baylor appears as if they have simply been going through the motions recently.

No matter Baylor’s record or may be under center, West Virginia is preparing just as they would for any opponent, possibly even with an added sense of urgency. On Monday during their weekly press conferences, the coaching staff sent a clear message to their players that a team with nothing on the line can be an extremely dangerous.

And if history is any indication of how the game will go, it could still be a close one on Saturday night in the Waco, Texas heat and under the lights of McLane Stadium.

WVU beat Baylor in Morgantown 43-40 last season thanks to a game winning field goal by former Mountaineer kicker Casey Legg.

Kickoff for West Virginia and Baylor is set for 7 pm ET and the game will be televised nationally on FS1.

Watch Neal Brown’s full press conference below.