WVU-Penn State Included on List of Must-Watch Non Conference Matchups

No matter when the game is played, there’s still tons of anticipation surrounding WVU kicking off the 2024 season against Penn State in Morgantown.

The excitement about the matchup also extends beyond just West Virginia and Penn State fans. According to Brad Crawford of 247 Sports, the season opening battle between the Mountaineers and Nittany Lions is one of the 10 must-watch non conference games of the season.

But regardless of when the game takes place, the Mountaineers will need their fans to be as rowdy as possible in order to help WVU avenge last year’s 38-15 loss at Beaver Stadium.

The game being in Morgantown isn’t enough for DraftKings to give West Virginia much of a chance to beat. While the Mountaineers are not as big of an underdog as last season, the way-too-early line has PSU favored by 12.5.

Early Line Shows West Virginia as Heavy Underdog to Penn State to Open 2024 CFB Season

There’s also intrigue and some storyline carryover from the 2023 edition. In addition to the 2023 game marking the first the time two historic programs faced off in decades, the night ended with some controversy.

Despite being up by two scores, PSU coach James Franklin decided to try to get another touchdown rather than take a knee, and Penn State succeeded, scoring with six seconds left. Brown didn’t like that too much.

“I wouldn’t have done it,” Brown said in his postgame presser. “But it doesn’t bother me. Stuff like that comes back around.”

After a 9-4 (6-3) season and a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory, West Virginia is hungry to start the 2024 season getting revenge on the Nittany Lions. Penn State beat WVU in the 2023 season opener at Beaver Stadium 38-15. Penn State would finish the year at 10-3 (7-2), losing to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.

You can find Penn State coverage at our partner Nittany Sports Now.