Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

As a true passion project, I dive into the numbers and find the story that may change the perception surrounding moments and eras in WVU sports. I also recap games and highlights and offer some predictions for upcoming seasons.

Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+ is a sports podcast hosted by The Beard, with 48 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The Beard hosts Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+, a sports show with 48 episodes published.

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  Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

  Charlotte Showdown: WVU Football vs Virginia Preview

  Sep 16, 202639 min

  WVU Football is 2-0, but now the real test arrives. After West Virginia’s dominant 52-7 win over UT Martin, the Mountaineers head to Charlotte for a neutral-site showdown with Virginia on September 19. In this episode of Trust The Beard, I break down what we learned from the UT Martin win, update The Beard Hot Take Tracker, and go deep into WVU vs. Virginia. We’re looking beyond the box score at the matchups that could decide this game — Michael Hawkins and the WVU offense, Zac Alley’s defense, Virginia’s explosive passing attack, third-down defense, pass rush, strength of schedule, turnovers and more. Then I put everything into the Beardologi Prediction Model for the full numbers-based projection: spread, projected total, final score and win probability. The model has spoken... but do I agree with it? Drop your WVU-UVA score prediction in the comments, and if you enjoy detailed Mountaineer football analysis, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and share the video with Mountaineer Nation! #WVU #WVUFootball #HailWV #Mountaineers

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  Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

  WVU Will Finish Top 5 in Big XII

  Sep 2, 202624 min

  West Virginia went 4-8 in Year 1 under Rich Rodriguez — so how in the world could WVU go 9-3 in 2026? In the final chapter of my 4 Weeks of Fire series, I break down every game on the 2026 WVU Football schedule, reveal my path to 9 wins and a potential Top-5 Big 12 finish, and explain why Year 2 Rich Rod, the transfer portal, NIL, roster development, Cam Cook, a potentially Top-50 defense, and improved health could accelerate the Mountaineers' rebuild. We dive into the biggest swing games against Virginia, Utah, TCU, Houston, Arizona and Oklahoma State, including one major road upset prediction that could completely change WVU's season. Is 9-3 crazy—or is West Virginia ready to become one of the biggest breakout teams in college football? Let me know your WVU record prediction in the comments!

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  Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

  WVU’s Rich Rod Will Win Big XII Coach of the Year

  Aug 28, 202629 min

  Could Rich Rodriguez be headed for some hardware in 2026? We dive into the history of the Big 12 Coach of the Year, the surprising precedent set by Matt Campbell at Iowa State, and why you don’t necessarily need 10+ wins—or even the best team—to take home the award. With WVU Football entering 2026 with low preseason expectations, could an 8- or 9-win season put Rich Rod squarely in the Big 12 COY race? We break down Rich Rodriguez’s Coach of the Year history, the Big 12 preseason consensus, and the coaches on my 2026 COY watchlist.

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  Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

  WVU Football Will Have a Top 50 Defense

  Aug 21, 202621 min

  Can West Virginia finish 2026 with a Top 50 defense? In this video, we break down the five numbers that could define WVU's defense in 2026, comparing the Mountaineers to the average of nearly 100 Top 50 defenses from 2021-2025.

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  Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

  WVU Football: 4 Weeks of Fire - Part 1

  Aug 12, 202612 min

  The countdown to the 2026 #wvufootball season is on, and 4 WEEKS OF FIRE has officially begun! In the first episode, we’re making a bold prediction: Cam Cook will win #big12football Offensive Player of the Year. We break down Cook’s 2025 production, compare him to recent OPOY-winning running backs like Chuba Hubbard, Breece Hall, Ollie Gordon and reigning winner LJ Martin, and examine the competition standing in his way. But the prediction isn’t just about Cam Cook. We dive into the history of the Big 12, the current QB and RB landscape, the importance of a potential back-to-back 1,200-yard season, and why West Virginia may need a 25% increase in rushing production for Cook to have a legitimate OPOY campaign. With Michael Hawkins Jr., Rick Trickett and a revamped Mountaineer offense potentially taking a major step forward, is Cam Cook really the best bet to take home the Big 12's top offensive honor? Let me know what you think — and as always, Trust The Beard! Video created with #movavi

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