Monday afternoon, the AP Top 25 released its first batch of rankings for the 2024 college football season. And as you would probably guess, the West Virginia Mountaineers were not included. They did, however, receive 17 votes.
It’s not all that shocking that WVU continues to get overlooked heading into this season, but why does it keep happening?
For one, many voters probably look at last season as an anomaly. When you look at WVU’s strength of schedule heading into last year, it didn’t appear very favorable. By season’s end, everyone viewed it as a soft schedule. On top of that, this year’s schedule, on paper at least, looks way more challenging with WVU’s first five Big 12 games coming against teams picked to finish ahead of them.
I hate to be this harsh about it, but it’s the truth…some of these voters put very little time into submitting their rankings and just go with what they’ve seen and heard rather than doing their own research to justify why certain teams are in as opposed to others.
Advertisement
The biggest misconception I continue to see with this team is that the defense is going to be what holds this team back. They just see how many new players are projected to start and think this isn’t an experienced group when in reality it is. They brought in two rock-solid veteran corners in Ayden Garnes and Garnett Hollis Jr., added a freakish athlete of a pass rusher in Ty French, added depth in the front seven with DL TJ Jackson and LB Reid Carrico, and a handful of others in the secondary.
Many of these voters probably don’t realize that linebacker Josiah Trotter was expected to play a bunch and potentially start as a true freshman before he was lost with a knee injury. The coaches view him as a starter, and they should. Fellow linebacker Trey Lathan led the team in QB hits despite playing in just four games. And because of Lathan’s absence, Ben Cutter was able to step in and gain a ton of experience.
All offseason long, this West Virginia team has been overlooked and undervalued. Head coach Neal Brown spoke on this last week when asked about receiving votes in the Coaches Poll.
“If you just look at our resume and how we finished the year, the number of quality wins we had a year ago and what we have coming back on both sides of the ball…with a convincing bowl win, year to year if you just put blind resumes up, that resume is going to get in the top 25. With nine wins in a Power Four conference with a bowl win, and with the returning experience. So what gives? I don’t know. To me, it goes back to some of our better players and I’ve said this on repeat but some of our better players are being undervalued, especially Garrett Greene. You have to go prove them.”
MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
10 Simulations of WVU’s 2024 Season on College Football 25
Advertisement
How Michigan Can Help WVU Upset Penn State
Predicting Every Game on WVU Football’s 2024 Schedule (Projected Bowl Included)
Preseason Big 12 Power Rankings + Record Predictions
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
This weekend’s college basketball slate kicks off with a blockbuster showdown between the No. 11 Virginia Cavaliers and the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. They’ll be playing in Durham, where Duke has been undefeated for over a year. Virginia (25-3), however, has been on point all season and stands a chance at snapping the Blue Devils’ home court winning streak.
At a Glance: How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game
Stream: Sling
TV channel: ESPN
Date, time: Saturday, Feb. 28 at noon ET
The Cavaliers are coming off a big 90-61 win over NC State, and are looking to extend a nine-game winning streak. The Blue Devils are hot off a massive 100-56 victory against Notre Dame. Duke is seeking another shot at the title this year after falling to No. 1 Houston in last year’s Final Four.
If you don’t have a way to watch Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke game, read on. Ahead is a quick guide on how to livestream Virginia vs. Duke with Sling, plus key details about the matchup.
How to Watch Virginia vs. Duke Basketball Game Online
Saturday’s Virginia vs. Duke matchup will air on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game online using any live TV streaming service that carries the channel. One of our favorites is Sling, which offers flexible packages and a great channel lineup.
Advertisement
ESPN is included in Sling’s Orange and Orange + Blue packages. The Orange plan carries 30+ channels, including CNN, TNT, HGTV, and ID, as well as ESPN. This plan is available as a monthly subscription, starting at $45.99 a month, but Sling also offers short-term passes that are ideal for catching individual games or tournaments. A one-day pass costs $4.99, a three-day pass costs $9.99, and a seven-day pass costs $14.99.
Trending Stories
If you want more channels, upgrade to the Orange + Blue package. This plan starts at $60.99 a month and carries 50+ channels, including local networks (in select markets), Fox News, NFL Network, and everything in the Orange package.
Virginia vs. Duke Game Date, Start Time
The next Virginia vs. Duke basketball game takes place on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is at noon ET.
We’re highlighting the many threads that make Virginia so special
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re embarking on a journey to celebrate the rich history of the place we call home. (WSLS 10)
Virginia is filled with so much history just waiting to be explored. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States and Virginia, we’re celebrating this milestone with a new series: Patchwork 250.
The series will highlight the many threads that make Virginia so special and celebrate every patch (whether that’s a remarkable person, an unforgettable location or a memorable event).
As this new initiative gets underway, we’d love to hear from you. Share your favorite pieces of history and be a part of Virginia’s ongoing story.
Advertisement
Using Pin It or the form below, let us know: what’s a unique piece of history from your community that you think more people should know about?
Click here for more details.
Copyright 2025 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Jazmine Otey headshot
Jazmine Otey
Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.
A fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday evening has claimed a life and prompted a significant road closure in South Reno.
The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to reports of the crash at approximately 5:29 p.m. on February 26. The incident occurred on northbound South Virginia Street, just north of Damonte Ranch Parkway.
According to the Nevada State Police, the rider of the motorcycle, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site, though no further details regarding other injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. Northbound South Virginia Street: Completely shut down from Damonte Ranch Parkway to Bishop Manogue Drive.
Southbound South Virginia Street: Open, but expect “rubbernecking” delays as drivers pass the emergency vehicles. Officials expect the northbound lanes to remain closed until at least 11:30 p.m. as the NHP Highway Patrol Division completes their investigation.
