The Power 4 is represented in its first game of the 2024-’25 college football bowl season, as the West Virginia Mountaineers battle the No. 25 Memphis Tigers in the 2024 Frisco Bowl. The game is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT) with TV coverage on ESPN and streaming on-demand.

• How to watch: Live streams of the 2024 Frisco Bowl are available with offers from FuboTV (free trial), SlingTV (low intro rate) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
• SlingTV is currently offering a 50% discount for the first month, with a starting price of $20 for a full month of live TV.
• For a limited time, FuboTV is offering $30 off the first month after the free trial period. With the $30 offer, plans start at $49.99 per month.

#25 Memphis Tigers (10-2) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6)

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl

When: Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. CT)

Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

TV channel: ESPN

Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial)

Power 4 program or not coming out of the Big 12 Conference, West Virginia is still a 4.5-point underdog to the Tigers in the Frisco Bowl. The Tigers have thrived with the little things, building a stout rushing defense that ranks No. 10 nationally while posting the second-best turnover margin in the country (+1.33) and the third-highest average time of possession (33:48). Memphis scored arguably its best win of the season late over the Tulane Green Wave (34-24) to wrap its regular season on a four-game winning streak.

The ‘24 season was full of ups and downs for the Mountaineers, whose boldest headlines perhaps came earlier this month when they announced former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez will return to the sideline as head coach in 2025. At their best, the Mountaineers can unleash explosive running backs Jahiem White (817 yards, 7 TDs) and C.J. Donaldson (651 yards, 9 TDs) along with dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene (656 yards, 5 TDs). Defense has been a glaring concern, though, ranking among the worst in the nation against the pass, allowing 268.9 yards per game.

2024 Frisco Bowl: Know your live streaming options

• FuboTV (free trial) – excellent viewer experience with huge library of live sports content; free trial lengths vary; monthly rate after free trial starts at $59.99 after current $20 discount offer.
• SlingTV (low intro rate) – discounted first month is best if you’ve run out of free trials or you’re in the market for 1+ month of TV
• DirecTV Stream (free trial) – not the same level of viewer experience as FuboTV, but the standard 7-day free trial is still the longest in streaming.

The Tigers and Mountaineers are set for a 9 p.m. ET start on ESPN. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).

Before you get upset that I’m even listing transfer quarterback options, it’s part of the process, folks. Just about every coach that gets a new job will portal in a quarterback, regardless of the overall shape of the room. It doesn’t mean the guy Rich Rodriguez brings in will start, but he will look for someone he believes fits his offense to a T.

As I mentioned in an article yesterday, Nicco Marchiol can operate Rich Rod’s offense and potentially do well in it. Is he a perfect fit, though? Probably not. If you’re Rodriguez, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket in your first year on the job with a quarterback who hasn’t been a full-time starter. You have to add competition.

There are several quarterbacks in the portal, but if WVU wants to swing for the fences, there are some intriguing options.

Mateer is the top quarterback in the portal, and while he may come with a big price tag, it’d be silly not to at least consider him and see what he’s looking for. Oklahoma is probably the favorite to land him, given his offensive coordinator at Wazzu, Ben Arbuckle, recently took the OC job there. This season, Mateer completed 64.6% of his pass attempts for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Whoever lands this kid is getting a program changer.

Noland did not see any action in his true freshman season in Columbus but is going to be a popular target for QB-needy teams. The former four-star recruit held offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Colorado, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, WVU, and several others. For his high school career, Noland threw for 10,164 yards and 126 touchdowns to 25 interceptions while adding 334 yards and six touchdowns with his legs.

Salter seems to be leaning toward Colorado, with Syracuse still in the mix as well. It might be a bit late in the process for West Virginia to get involved, but it’s worth a shot. He’s thrown for nearly 6,000 yards in his career, along with 56 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Salter didn’t run the ball nearly as much this season but still posted 579 yards and seven scores. The year prior, he rushed for 1,089 yards and 12 scores. A true dual-threat option.

Pribula was in line to be the starter in State College next season until Drew Allar announced his intentions of returning for his senior year a few days ago. Pribula does have some experience under his belt, seeing action in mop-up duty and in situations where James Franklin wanted a more mobile option on the field. For his career, Pribula has connected on 66% of his passes for six touchdowns, throwing just one interception. He’s rushed for 571 yards and ten touchdowns, going for 6.1 yards per carry.

The former five-star recruit left USC after sitting behind Caleb Williams for a year and then lost out on the starting job to Maddux Madsen at Boise State this season. The talent is there; he just needs to find an offense that fits him. West Virginia, or anyone for that matter, won’t have to put together some massive NIL deal to land him either.

MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI

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Josiah Trotter to Leave West Virginia, Commits to SEC School

Everything Chad Scott, Garrett Greene & Sean Martin Said Ahead of the Frisco Bowl

College Football 25 Simulation: WVU vs. Memphis

— By David Walsh

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall broke free from an early 10-10 tie to build a 41-24 lead at the break, and the Thundering Herd steadily pulled away from West Virginia Wesleyan in the final 20 minutes to romp, 93-63, Monday night in front of 3,424 fans at Cam Henderson Center.

Mikal Dawson, a three-point wizard, nailed five more on the way to 19 points to lead Marshall. Obinna Anochilli-Killen added 14 and made 6-of-8 shots and also blocked two shots as did Wyatt Fricks. Nate Martin, Jalen Speer and Cade Gibbs finished with nine points each as first-year coach Corny Jackson went to the bench much of the second half.

“I thought we played pretty well,” Jackson said. “I’m most pleased with 30 assists and 12 turnovers. As a team, I look at the 30 and as a former point guard I always look at that number. Really pleased.”

The Herd (7-5) made its first four shots of the second half to open a 53-32 lead. From that point, the margin kept growing. The biggest of the night came at 35 (78-43) with 7:50 to play.

Jackson expressed pleasure with the Herd’s play after bolting from the 10-10 tie.

“They don’t play like that record (2-9) for coach (Derek) Sloan. They were pretty physical at the start. Once we settled in and matched their energy, physicality I was happy. We played team ball, shared the ball.”

Marshall made 37-of-67 shots and 13-of-32 from behind the arc. The home team chalked up 30 assists on the 37 shots made. The Herd last had 30 assists against UTSA in a game in 2016.

“Win one game is hard regardless of opponent,” Jackson said. “We’ll celebrate the win, we’re off Tuesday and Wednesday we get ready for Southern Miss. That’s just how it (schedule) fell. Play the cards we’re deal. We look forward to going down and playing a good Southern Miss team.”

In the check the boxes for meaningful stats, Marshall led points in the paint, 44-24; bench points, 37-18; and points off turnovers, 26-15.

Michael Batchelor led the Bobcats with 16 points. Curtis Litton added 11 for the Division II team which plays in the Mountain East Conference. The visitors did make nine threes.

In the first half, the Herd had bursts of 8-0 in the final 2:45 and 13-0 earlier in the half to open the big lead.

Marshall now leads the all-time series with West Virginia Wesleyan 31-13.