Virginia

Why is West Virginia Unranked in the Preseason Top 25?

Published

1 year ago

August 12, 2024

Why is West Virginia Unranked in the Preseason Top 25?

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.

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.”

Virginia

Bills targeting VMI governance gain traction in General Assembly

Published

12 hours ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Bills targeting VMI governance gain traction in General Assembly

Legislation aimed at reshaping Virginia Military Institute’s governance, policies and oversight is gaining momentum, after a House subcommittee last week advanced a bill that could directly affect the state-funded military college’s finances.

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Virginia

Top 25 Virginia Girls High School Basketball State Rankings – Jan.

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Top 25 Virginia Girls High School Basketball State Rankings – Jan.

There’s little change in the latest High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25 poll as all 25 squads return from last week.

Undefeated Princess Anne is again No. 1 followed by The Saint James Performance Academy, Bishop Ireton, Catholic-Virginia Beach and Menchville. Shining Stars Sports Academy, Manchester, Potomac School, Saint Anne’s-Belfield School and Osbourn Park complete the Top 10.

Five teams – Langley, Manor, Thomas Dale, Oakton and Centreville – each moved up one spot.

Here’s this week’s High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25:

Previous rank: No. 1

Record: 17-0

The Cavaliers defeated No. 16 Salem-Virginia Beach, 70-45, and Bayside, 86-13.

Previous rank: No. 2

Record: 12-3

The Strivers extended their winning streak to 10 with a 63-37 decision over Kingdom Collegiate Academy (Tex.).

Previous rank: No. 3

Record: 14-5

The Cardinals defeated No. 11 Saint Paul VI Catholic, 57-53 after a loss to Elizabeth Seton (Md.)

Previous rank: No. 4

Record: 12-8

The Crusaders defeated Norfolk Academy and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy by a combined 148 points.

Previous rank: No. 5

Record: 11-1

The Monarchs are scheduled to play Woodside Tuesday.

Previous rank: No. 6

Record: 12-4

The Panthers defeated Newman (Mass.) and Saint Frances Academy (Md.) at The More Than A Highlight Showcase in New York.

Previous rank: No. 7

Record: 14-1

The Lancers ran their winning streak to 13 with a 93-22 victory over Huguenot.

Previous rank: No. 8

Record: 12-6

The Panthers rebounded from a loss to District of Columbia No. 2 Sidwell Friends School with wins over Georgetown Day School (D.C.) and Flint Hill School (Va.).

Previous rank: No. 9

Record: 13-3

The Saints defeated Trinity Episcopal School, 80-33.

Previous rank: No. 10

Record: 12-6

The Yellowjackets defeated Unity Reed.

Previous rank: No. 11

Record: 16-5

The Panthers dropped an overtime decision to No. 3 Bishop Ireton.

Previous rank: No. 12

Record: 14-5

The Patriots dropped decisions to Monsignor Scanlan (N.Y.) and Gill Saint Bernard’s School (N.J.).

Previous rank: No. 13

Record: 15-1

The Stallions defeated Lake Braddock and Carter G. Woodson.

Previous rank: No. 16

Record: 15-1

The Eagles have won eight straight by double-digits.

Previous rank: No. 15

Record: 12-3

The Wolverines defeated West Springfield and James W. Robinson.

Previous rank: No. 16

Record: 15-3

The Sundevils rebounded from a loss to No. 1 Princess Anne with a 78-7 win over Kempsville.

Previous rank: No. 17

Record: 13-4

The Knights defeated Landstown (75-47) and First Colonial (73-21).

Previous rank: No. 19

Record: 16-1

The Saxons defeated McLean, 55-23.

Previous rank: No. 20

Record: 12-1

The Mustangs defeated Churchland.

Previous rank: No. 21

Record: 14-0

The Knights defeated Petersburg (73-30) and Hopewell (72-46).

Previous rank: No. 22

Record: 15-4

The Cougars defeated Westfield and James Madison.

Previous rank: No. 23

Record: 13-4

The Wildcats defeated James Madison and then-No. 18 Chantilly.

Previous rank: No. 23

Record: 17-1

The Spartans defeated Lord Botetourt (42-31) and Cave Spring (56-19).

Previous rank: No. 24

Record: 14-2

The Bulldogs defeated Indian River and Oscar Smith by an average margin of 65 points.

Previous rank: No. 25

Record: 10-7

The Ambassadors defeated Norfolk Collegiate Academy, 77-32.

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Virginia

Virginia to consider joining states creating volunteer cyber civilian corps

Published

2 days ago

January 26, 2026

Press Room

Virginia to consider joining states creating volunteer cyber civilian corps

A proposal to create a volunteer cybersecurity incident response team, investigating and troubleshooting threats targeting digital systems around the commonwealth, will be considered again in this year’s General Assembly session. The legislation, carried by Del. Michael Feggans, D-Virginia Beach, would authorize the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to select people to serve as Virginia Cyber Civilian […]

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