West Virginia
West Virginia expert previews the Arizona football game, makes a score prediction
Part of the fun of moving to a new conference is getting to play teams you haven’t faced in a long time, or possibly ever. The latter is the case between Arizona and West Virginia, which have history in many sports but not football.
Saturday’s Big 12 matchup will be the first between the Wildcats and Mountaineers, a pair of 3-4 teams that find their respective seasons on the brink of collapse. A win for each would go a long way toward possibly righting the ship, while a loss for either might be the final nail in the coffin of a lost season.
To better understand these new conference opponent, we reached out to Michael Miller of SB Nation sister site The Smoking Musket for some insight and a score prediction. Below are his innovative answers to our formulaic questions:
AZ Desert Swarm: West Virginia’s four losses are to ranked teams, three of which are unbeaten this season, while its wins are against ones with a combined record of 8-13 including an FCS opponent. Is it that simple, or is there more to how this season has gone?
Michael Miller: “I wish I could say there’s more to it, but I’m really not sure there is, and it’s a bit of the overarching theme of Neal Brown’s tenure in Morgantown, where he’s currently 3-17 against ranked opponents. The loss to Pitt came after holding a 10-point lead with 4:55 to play, and up to that point, the Panthers had amassed a grand total of four yards in the second half. The Iowa State game was within reach at 14-10 at halftime until Garrett Greene threw two interceptions in the second half. It has just been missed opportunity after missed opportunity.”
Starting QB Garrett Greene was knocked out of the home loss to Kansas State, with Arizona native Nicco Marchiol stepping in. What’s Greene’s status for this game, and if he can’t go how does West Virginia’s game plan change?
“The official word from Neal Brown in his press conference on Monday is that it’s ‘too early to tell’ and that he’d be evaluated later this week after he sat the entirety of the second half against K-State with an “upper body injury,” which seems to be code for a concussion. If Garrett can’t go, which I don’t expect he will, I look for WVU to lean heavily on the run with CJ Donaldson and Jahiem White to try to grind out a win. Nicco has shown that he’s capable of running the offense while Greene is out but, while he can run when needed, he just doesn’t he doesn’t have the same explosiveness as Garrett.”
The Mountaineers have three players with at least 400 rushing yards, including the starting QB, and averages more than 200 yards per game on the ground. What makes this attack so effective?
“It’s the type of combination that West Virginia has had success with historically. Donaldson is a bigger back who can bruise you inside, while White is more of a speedster who can hit the edges. Then there’s Greene, who forces defenses to stay honest because of his ability to take off and make plays with his legs.”
Who are the top defensive players that Arizona needs to worry about, and what are West Virginia’s biggest strengths and weaknesses on that side of the ball?
“West Virginia’s front seven has been solid this season, particularly strong at stopping the run. They’ve held four teams to under 50 rushing yards in a half, including Kansas State, who only managed eight yards on the ground in the first half last week. Look out for defensive lineman TJ Jackson, a senior transfer from Troy, who is currently No. 16 in the country in tackles for loss per game (9.5 total) and linebacker Josiah Trotter, son of Philadelphia Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter, who leads the team in total tackles.
“WVU’s issues on defense have, for the most part, been in the secondary. The Mountaineers are currently ranked 122nd nationally in 3rd down conversion defense and 110th in passing yards allowed. A free tip for Brent Brennan; just get yourself into 3rd and long situations. It tends to work out better.”
(Editor’s note: Arizona is 14 for 55 on third down when needing 7+ yards, so please disregard this Coach Brennan)
Neal Brown is 34-33 in six seasons in Morgantown. How safe is his job? Did winning nine games last year give him some extra rope?
“I think it gave him extra rope with the University, not so much with the fanbase. As I pointed out, he’s 3-17 against ranked opponents and it has really started to wear on the fans to the point some have started raising money to fly ‘Fire Neal Brown’ banners behind planes. He’s going to make it to the end of the season, at least, but I really don’t see him getting fired at all this year unless WVU completely collapses on the backend of the schedule.”
Try as we might, we couldn’t get either Rich Rodriguez or Kerr Kriisa to come to this game to serve as honorary captain, but each has a special place in our collective hearts? What’s your favorite Kerr or RichRod moment?
“I was in college for the height of the RichRod years, but I think my favorite happened during my senior year of high school when 2-4 West Virginia knocked off undefeated, No. 3 Virginia Tech in 2003 in Morgantown. I was in the stadium that night, and the pepper spray in the air will stick with me forever.
“If we’re talking RichRod specific moments, it’s this commercial:
Prediction time. Does Arizona snap its 3-game skid and move back to .500 or does West Virginia pick up its first win in the Grand Canyon State since 2015? Give us a score pick.
“Obviously I have to give the homer pick here and say West Virginia wins this in a close one, but I’m not telling you that with any real confidence. Let’s say WVU takes this one with a late touchdown on a long, grinding drive from CJ Donaldson to win 31-24.”
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Daily 3, Daily 4 on Jan. 8, 2026
Are you looking to win big? The West Virginia Lottery offers a variety of games if you think it’s your lucky day.
Lottery players in West Virginia can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Daily 3, Daily 4 and Cash 25.
Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.
Here’s a look at Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Daily 3 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
8-1-9
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
9-6-6-7
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 25 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
02-05-06-11-12-17
Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
- Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
West Virginia
BREAKING: West Virginia Transfer DL Hammond Russell Commits to Wisconsin
Wisconsin has added a transfer portal commitment from former West Virginia defensive lineman Hammond Russell.
Russell played in 36 games for the Mountaineers during his career. As a senior, the 6-foot-3, 315-pound lineman posted 13.0 tackles and 2.0 sacks. For his career, Hammond has 40.0 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Russell is expected to get a redshirt for his 2022 season, in which he missed the entirety of due to a broken foot and a concussion.
A three-star recruit coming out of Dublin, Ohio, Russell chose WVU over Indiana, Iowa State, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Illinois, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Purdue, and more.
During his transfer portal recruitment, Russell also visited Kansas.
Russell joins a Wisconsin defensive line that’s set to return junior Charles Perkins and sophomore Dillan Johnson, among others. The Badgers also signed Junior Poyser out of Buffalo this week.
Russell is currently unranked as a transfer prospect, according to On3. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
West Virginia
West Virginia falters late in 71-66 loss to 17th-ranked Texas Tech – WV MetroNews
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The third quarter of Wednesday’s contest against 17th-ranked Texas Tech was among West Virginia’s best this season from an offensive standpoint.
What followed in the fourth, however, was perhaps the worst 10-minute stretch on that end through 16 contests. The Mountaineers missed numerous decent looks and shot 3 for 19 from the field and 6 for 12 on free throws in the final frame, while squandering a six-point advantage with inside 8 minutes remaining and falling to the unbeaten Red Raiders, 71-66.
“We took one bad shot that I didn’t like at all and had a bad turnover late, but we got 19 shots off in the fourth quarter and most were pretty good looks,” WVU head coach Mark Kellogg said. “We just didn’t convert. The defensive end concerns me as much as the offensive end. Giving up 40 points in the second half is way too many.”
Of WVU’s three fourth-quarter buckets, only one within the first 9:34 — a layup from Kierra ‘MeMe’ Wheeler with 7:10 remaining that left the home team with a 58-53 lead and came directly after Texas Tech’s Bailey Maupin had made a three-pointer.
Despite the offensive struggles, WVU dug in enough defensively to maintain a 61-57 advantage with inside 2 minutes remaining before the game turned in the visitors’ favor over a 7-second stretch.
Snudda Collins scored on a drive to the basket, while being fouled by Carter McCray in the process. With 1:59 left, Collins stepped to the free-throw line but was unable to convert the three-point play. Tech’s Jalynn Bristow came up with a pivotal offensive rebound, and found Maupin on the perimeter, who drained her fourth and final triple to give the Red Raiders (17-0, 4-0) a 62-61 lead at the 1:52 mark.
“They’re really good in the third quarter and I would venture to say we’re really good in the fourth quarter from previous games,” Red Raiders’ head coach Krista Gerlich said. “I’m not real sure fatigue played a factor in it as much as our kids just kind of locked down, really tried to defend and we got better on the glass. They missed a lot of easy shots early in the fourth quarter and that maybe played toward fatigue, but our kids did a good job on the glass and limiting second-chance opportunities, and we quit fouling a bit.”
Jordan Harrison missed a pair of threes on WVU’s ensuing trip, before Maupin made two free throws for a three-point advantage with 38 seconds left.
“What a basketball game. We knew coming in this was going to be a huge challenge and I’m super proud of our kids for being resilient for four quarters,” Gerlich said.
Harrison scored from close range 13 seconds later, but the Red Raiders continued to excel from the free-throw line and Collins made a pair for a 66-63 lead with 20 seconds to play.
Maupin then stole a Gia Cooke pass and made 1-of-2 free throws to make it a two-possession game, before another Mountaineer turnover all but ended any hope of late heroics for the home team.
“We made a lot of mistakes. They sped us up a little bit, but the mistakes we made were on us,” Harrison said. “When we go back and watch the film, we’ll see there was an easier way to score — slow down and read the defense.”
The third period was a far different story as WVU (13-3, 3-1) overcame a 31-28 halftime deficit by making 10-of-13 shots in what amounted to a 25-point frame. Harrison was the catalyst for the success, scoring 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting and dishing out three assists, while McCray continued to be a presence inside and scored seven points on 3-for-3 shooting.
But Texas Tech managed 19 points in the third to stay well within striking distance, with the Red Raiders making half of their six three-point attempts in that quarter, including both from Denae Fritz.
“You’re up six in the fourth, you’re supposed to find a way to win that game,” Kellogg said.
The entirety of the game was played within six points, with Tech’s largest lead coming at 29-23 after a Collins triple.
McCray and Harrison combined for the next five points, before Maupin capped the first-half scoring with a pair of free throws. She scored 11 of her game-high 27 points through two quarters and 13 more in the fourth.
“No basketball game is all ups and no basketball game is all downs,” Maupin said. “It’s finding a balance between your highs and lows and managing that to be able to come out with a win.”
Collins scored 19 points to help her team finish with a 25-2 advantage in bench points.
Tech finished with a 37-33 rebounding edge, and despite having 16 offensive boards to WVU’s 18, the Red Raiders accounted for 20 of the game’s 28 second-chance points.
“We got a lot of offensive rebounds and didn’t convert very many of them,” Kellogg said.
Harrison led four WVU double-figure scorers with 22 points and added five rebounds and five assists.
McCray added 15 points and Wheeler scored 11 to go with a team-best nine boards. Sydney Shaw scored 10 but shot 4 for 14, while Cooke was held to six points on 2-for-9 shooting.
The Mountaineers forced 20 turnovers, but managed only four steals.
“We had too many things go wrong that we had control of,” McCray said, “and that led to our detriment in the end.”
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