WVU’s Rich Rodriguez Points to the True Power of Virginia’s Offense

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Despite believing his team is ready for the challenge, Rich Rodriguez is also well aware of what West Virginia will be up against on Saturday night. Rodriguez knows Virginia’s experience, size and ability will be tough to overcome, although he still feels his group of Mountaineers can win if they play up to their capabilities.

In addition to bringing up the obvious, Rodriguez spent most of his Tuesday press conference pointing to the Cavaliers’ offensive line as what makes their team so successful. With the average age of Virginia’s offensive line at 24, WVU knows that their chemistry makes it unlikely to ever see a mistake from the unit.

They’re playing “a bunch of grown men,” Rodriguez said to describe the Virginia offensive line.

Virginia’s well disciplined offensive line helps to generate long drives and control the time of possession. Virginia, who prides itself on winning the time of possession battle used their ball control to win their first two games, a season opening win over North Carolina State and another over Norfolk State in Week 2. The Cavaliers held the ball for 38:03 against the Wolfpack en route to a 34-8 victory. That resulted in the offense putting up 413 yards.

More recently, Virginia racked up 466 yards while rolling over the Spartans 59-3.

And in large part due to their offensive line, the Cavaliers will enter Saturday’s neutral site matchup with West Virginia ranked inside the Associated Poll. Virginia sits at No. 25, and as far as the program, is coming off an 11-3 2025 season that ended with a Gator Bowl win and a No. 16 final ranking win in both the AP and Coaches poll.

So while Rodriguez is attempting to return WVU back to the glory days of the past, a program already entrenched as a national contender stands in his way.

However, Rodriguez isn’t going to put the Cavaliers on a pedestal simply based on last season. Because instead of just focusing on why Virginia is formidable, he’s stressing the importance of practicing well and being sharp all week to his team.

“The reality is our players know when there’s a challenge, know when you’re playing a top 25 team and you’re an underdog and it’s a different environment.”

West Virginia is slated to battle Virginia at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday at 7:30 pm ET.

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