3 Guys Before The Game

The forecast calls for football weather. The stakes call for something considerably hotter.When West Virginia and Kansas meet Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium, both teams will arrive carrying the weight of seasons that haven't unfolded as expected.But disappointment hasn't eliminated opportunity.For the Mountaineers, a victory would mean bowl eligibility and another step toward salvaging a season that has delivered its share of frustration. For the Jayhawks, the trip to Morgantown offers another opportunity to change the direction of their season.The temperatures will be cold. The urgency won't be.In this episode, the "Guys" examine the matchup, dig into the numbers and identify a path to victory for West Virginia.The conversation also shifts to the basketball court, where the Mountaineers improved to 3-0 with Thursday's victory over Mercer. The crew breaks down the performance and what the unbeaten start reveals about Ross Hodge's team.Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe goes deeper into the analytics with Spreads on Stats.Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.The "Guys" return Sunday with a football recap and a preview of next week's Players Era tournament in Las Vegas.

There's a difference between being good enough to compete and being disciplined enough to win.With just three games remaining in the regular season, West Virginia's football team continues to live somewhere between those two realities.Saturday's gut-wrenching loss at No. 15 Texas Tech provided another example. The Mountaineers proved they could trade punches with a nationally ranked opponent in front of a sold-out crowd in Lubbock. But they also demonstrated how quickly self-inflicted mistakes can undermine an otherwise winning effort.In this episode, the "Guys" dissect the loss to the Red Raiders, examine the plays and decisions that shaped the result, and consider what the final three games might reveal about the direction of the program.The conversation also turns to a productive weekend elsewhere in Mountaineer athletics, with basketball, soccer and volleyball providing plenty of reasons to celebrate.Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe examines the numbers behind the headlines with Spreads on Stats.Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

There's busy. There's hectic. And then there's the Mountaineers' November sports calendar.With football, basketball and soccer all competing for attention, West Virginia athletics has reached one of those rare stretches when the action seems almost nonstop.The centerpiece is Saturday's football showdown in Lubbock, where the Mountaineers face No. 15 Texas Tech in a matchup that presents both a formidable challenge and an intriguing opportunity.The Red Raiders have the ranking and the home-field advantage. West Virginia has the chance to disrupt expectations and deliver one of the season's most significant victories.Meanwhile, the men's basketball team returns to Hope Coliseum on Friday to face Stetson. After an emphatic season-opening victory over Niagara, the Mountaineers look to build on an encouraging debut in year two under Ross Hodge.Add games involving WVU women's basketball and both soccer programs, and the result is a packed schedule that offers Mountaineer fans something to follow at nearly every turn.In this episode, the "Guys" break down the football matchup with Texas Tech, examine what it will take to pull off the upset and preview the basketball encounter with Stetson.Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe identifies a statistical path to victory for the Mountaineers in Lubbock.Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.

One game. One overwhelming performance. And an impressive first impression.Year two of the Ross Hodge era began with a commanding 91-46 victory over Niagara, but the final score tells only part of the story.West Virginia didn't allow the Purple Eagles a single offensive rebound. Niagara committed more turnovers than it made field goals. And six Mountaineers scored in double figures in a performance that showcased both balance and defensive intensity.Among the most encouraging developments was the debut of freshman point guard Miles Sadler, who led WVU in scoring and flirted with a double-double in his first collegiate appearance.It's only one game, but the early evidence suggests the Mountaineers have plenty to build upon.In this episode, the "Guys" dissect the season opener, examine the numbers behind the lopsided victory and discuss what the performance reveals about Hodge's second team.Hoppy Kercheval delivers his Obvious Observations, while Brad Howe goes inside the numbers with Spreads on Stats.Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.The crew returns Thursday with a preview of Saturday's football game at Texas Tech and Friday's basketball matchup against Stetson.

For one Mountaineer team, it's time to catch its breath. For another, it's time to get started.After eight consecutive weeks of football, West Virginia has reached a much-needed bye week. The Mountaineers can finally rest, regroup and prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.They'll also have an opportunity to scout their next opponent. Texas Tech hosts Arizona on Saturday before welcoming WVU to Lubbock the following weekend.But while the football schedule pauses, the conversation about the program's future continues. Player retention has emerged as a significant topic during the break, underscoring the challenges of building and maintaining a roster in today's rapidly changing college football landscape.Meanwhile, a new season is about to begin on the hardwood.West Virginia opens its campaign Monday night against Niagara at Hope Coliseum, bringing fresh expectations and the excitement of a new beginning.In this episode, the "Guys" examine the final stretch of the football season, discuss the growing importance of player retention and preview the basketball opener against the Purple Eagles.Brad Howe digs into the numbers with Spreads on Stats, while Hoppy Kercheval delivers his thought-provoking Obvious Observations.Listener questions and comments complete the episode with Textual Healing.