Between the Eers: Why Overreacting to West Virginia’s Opener Is a Mistake — But Also a Wake-Up Call
West Virginia’s season opener wasn’t just a game—it was a spark that ignited a firestorm of opinions across Mountaineer Nation. From message boards to Twitter feeds, fans and critics alike have sounded off, with some declaring the season dead on arrival. But let’s take a breath. Yes, WVU’s performance was uneven, and yes, there were moments that felt downright alarming—but knee-jerk reactions often miss the bigger picture. That said, there are reasons to be concerned… and some of them aren’t as easy to dismiss.
The truth is, the first game of any college football season is rarely a clean masterpiece. Teams are still figuring out who they are. New faces are adjusting to the speed of live play, and even returning starters can stumble as they shake off the rust. That said, what made this opener so jarring wasn’t just the mistakes—it was how familiar they felt. For fans who’ve been watching closely over the past few seasons, some of the issues on display weren’t new. Penalties at the worst moments. Questionable clock management. A defense that bends and occasionally breaks. Sound familiar?
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about throwing the entire coaching staff under the bus after one game. But it is about recognizing patterns. Neil Brown, now in a critical year of his tenure, can’t afford to have “growing pains” look like regression. The honeymoon is long over. Every decision, every missed opportunity, every poor third-down call is under the microscope now.
What really shocked fans wasn’t just the play on the field—it was the tone after the game. Some of the postgame comments seemed to downplay what was an undeniably sloppy and inconsistent effort. That lack of urgency rubbed many the wrong way. If the program wants fans to believe in the climb, they need to show that the climb matters—starting with accountability.
Still, there’s a reason not to abandon ship just yet. This team does have talent. Young playmakers flashed potential. The offensive line, while inconsistent, showed moments of dominance. And perhaps most importantly, the locker room hasn’t fractured. Players are still bought in, and that cohesion matters in the long run.
But make no mistake—this next stretch of games is crucial. If WVU wants to silence the doubters and recapture the energy of a once-proud program, it needs to start showing tangible improvement now. No more moral victories. No more “almosts.” Fans aren’t asking for perfection—they’re asking for progress. Passionate fans aren’t overreacting because they don’t care; they’re reacting because they still do.
So don’t dismiss the concerns as noise. Instead, use them as fuel. Because while it’s only Week 1, the clock is already ticking—and the margin for error is shrinking fast.
