Why an underdog West Virginia football team is a dangerous opponent for TCU
Playing on the road hasn’t been kind to TCU football this season, and now the Horned Frogs must travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia.
The Mountaineers (2-5, 0-4 Big 12) are injury-riddled and straight up bad, but that hasn’t stopped West Virginia in the past from giving TCU (5-2, 2-2) a run for its money.
TCU won two matchups in 2014-15 against West Virginia, but is just 2-6 in the past eight matchups against the Mountaineers, including a 24-21 defeat in 2023 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Even the best TCU teams, like Trevone Boykin’s 2014 team and Max Duggan’s 2022 squad, have had closer-than-expected games against the Mountaineers. The Horned Frogs don’t have the luxury of overlooking the Mountaineers despite their lackluster performances.
“They’re a different team at home than they are on the road,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday. “They play really, really hard. They have a great fan base, a passionate fan base that brings out the best in their players. It’s loud, they’ve got a great tradition that goes back many, many years. It’s been consistent regardless of who the coaches were.”
What’s TCU’s key to avoiding a loss at West Virginia?
The key to TCU avoiding a massive upset will be the play of junior quarterback Josh Hoover and his offensive line.
Hoover is an elite athlete when playing at home, but his game takes a noticeable dip on the road.
Hoover has eight turnovers this season (six interceptions and two fumbles lost). Six of those turnovers have come on the road, with five in losses to Kansas State and Arizona State.
The Mountaineers are without starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol, who’s out for the season with a foot injury, and their top two running backs, Jahiem White (knee) and Tye Edwards (hip).
Without them, the only way the Mountaineers will be able to keep up with TCU’s high-powered offense is to steal possessions by forcing turnovers.
West Virginia’s defense and quarterbacks
The Mountaineers are 115th in scoring defense, allowing more than 30 points per game. They’ve also struggled to stop offenses from running or throwing the ball.
However, West Virginia’s defense has a knack for forcing turnovers. The Mountaineers’ defense ranks in the top five in the Big 12 in interceptions and forced fumbles. The Horned Frogs will face an aggressive defense that will take chances to force game-changing turnovers.
On the flip side, the Horned Frogs know they’ll face a run-heavy offense, but it’s unclear who the Mountaineers will start at quarterback. They’ve relied on Khalil Wilkins and Scotty Fox Jr. in the past few weeks in place of Marchiol.
”You have to prepare two different game plans for two different guys,” Dykes said in reference to West Virginia’s quarterbacks. “You prepare all week for a guy and then all of a sudden you don’t see him and it’s not what your guys are ready for.
“I think it puts a little bit of extra pressure on you when you have to do that.”
Wilkins and Fox played against BYU and Central Florida the past two weeks. West Virginia has relied heavily on Wilkins’ legs, while Fox has been more of a traditional passer. Neither has been effective throwing the ball, but Wilkins has 38 carries in the past two games, and it’ll be a wrinkle TCU has to prepare for.
Who’s favored to win?
Despite the heavy quarterback run game and a play-making defense, there’s a reason TCU is more than a two-touchdown favorite.
The Horned Frogs are healthier and have more talented personnel. The key will be navigating the rowdy environment waiting for them in Morgantown, and it’ll be veterans like tight end D.J. Rogers that must prepare the rest of the team.
“West Virginia has predominantly been a good team at home,” Rogers said. “They’re going to give us their best effort, and we just have to go out and play our football.”
If the Horned Frogs perform at West Virginia like they have in Fort Worth this season, then Saturday should result in a victory.
But if it’s the same TCU that showed up against Arizona State and Kansas State, then the Horned Frogs could be in for a tough battle .
This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 2:44 PM.
