Spring Schedule Preview: West Virginia

The Cowboys haven’t won a Big 12 game since November 25, 2023. Their next chance to break that conference losing streak will come on Day 1,036. I know, I know. Throwing out these winning-drought numbers has almost become hackneyed, so let’s hope we can put that conversation to bed once and for all — or that the Cowboys will.

The Pokes will hit the road for their first conference game in the Eric Morris era and will do so against a team entering Year 2 after a regime change. There was an interesting juxtaposition between West Virginia’s 2025 offseason and OSU’s 2026 offseason.

While Oklahoma State landed one of the hottest rising coaches in the country and secured a touted transfer class, West Virginia went with a retread 16 years delayed.

Rich Rodriguez made a name for himself in Morgantown in the early to late aughts, bringing the Mountaineers to national relevance before stops in Michigan and Arizona, to varying degrees of success. After returning from six years out of the game to coach Jacksonville State for two years, he was rehired by WVU ahead of 2025.

Be sure to check out our preview of the Cowboys’ nonconference slate.

Week 4: West Virginia | Sept. 26 | Morgantown, WV

Series history: OSU leads 10-6

Last meeting: Two years ago, the Mountaineers ran all over Lewis Field with an embarrassingly lopsided rushing edge of 389 yards to just 36 by the Pokes. WVU’s Jahiem White rushed for 159 and a score, and QB Garrett Greene added 86 and a ground TD. Meanwhile, WVU held Ollie Gordon II to just 50 rushing yards and took back 15 from Alan Bowman thanks to a pair of sacks.

The Mountaineers ran out to a 24-0 lead before the Cowboys scored a touchdown late in the second. WVU held a 38-7 lead early in the fourth won 38-14. It was OSU’s third-straight loss against a Power Conference opponent, an active streak that sits at 18. The Mountaineers would finish 6-7 with a bowl loss to Memphis.

WVU in 2025: The Mountaineers went 4-8 in Year 1 of the Rich Rodriguez. It was a rebuilding year with freshman QB Scotty Fox Jr. taking the reins in October. There were ups and downs including a win over No. 22 Houston and a 49-zip loss to No. 7 Texas Tech in their finale.

WVU in 2026: Rodriguez brought in former Sooner Michael Hawkins Jr. to give Fox some competition at the QB1 spot. He said as much this week. The Mountaineers come in ranking 13th in transfer portal rankings in the Big 12 and 14th when it comes to incoming high school recruits,

Of note: The Cowboys and Mountaineers were the only teams in the bottom three of the Big 12 in both scoring offense and scoring defense last year. Hopefully, with a revamped roster on at least one side, this matchup won’t be a continuation of that.