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Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+

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Rating
★★★★★
5
from
3 reviews
Categories
This podcast has
69 episodes
Explicit
No
Date created
2023/07/16
Latest episode
2026/10/01
Average duration
30 min.
Release period
27 days

Description

As a true passion project, I dive into the numbers and find the story that may change the perception surrounding moments and eras in WVU sports. I also recap games and highlights and offer some predictions for upcoming seasons.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+ podcast


Ready. Ames. Fire! WVU Football @ Iowa State Preview
2026/10/01
WVU Football heads to Ames for a huge Big 12 matchup with Iowa State. After the Oklahoma State loss, can West Virginia bounce back and prove that was simply one bad night? We break down WVU offense vs. Iowa State defense, WVU’s pass rush, the running game, third downs, key X-factors and the matchups that could decide the game. Plus, the Beardologi Prediction Model gives us the projected spread, O/U, final score and win probability. And we debut THE BLIND SIDE — the numbers and context hiding beneath the box score. Was Oklahoma State a fluke? Now go prove it. #WVU #WVUFootball #HailWV #TrustTheBeard
GOLD RUSH! WVU Football vs. Oklahoma State Preview
2026/09/24
WVU Football is under the lights in Morgantown for the GOLD RUSH! West Virginia welcomes Oklahoma State to Milan Puskar Stadium for a huge Big 12 matchup, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know before kickoff. Can Rich Rodriguez and the West Virginia Mountaineers keep the momentum rolling? Can Michael Hawkins and the WVU offense take advantage of the Oklahoma State defense? And can Zac Alley’s Mountaineer defense slow down Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys’ high-volume offense? In this episode of Trust The Beard, we go deep inside the numbers for WVU vs Oklahoma State, including offensive and defensive matchups, rushing and passing efficiency, turnover margin, strength of schedule, third-down performance, red-zone efficiency, sacks, pressure rates and the biggest X-factors that could decide this game. Then we put it all through the Beardologi Prediction Model and compare the results with the Vegas spread, over/under and ESPN Matchup Predictor before revealing my official WVU vs Oklahoma State score prediction. Can the Mountaineers protect home field and make another statement?
From The Couch: WVU Football vs. Virginia Recap
2026/09/22
West Virginia Football just made a statement in Charlotte, knocking off No. 25 Virginia 38-27 — and it feels GOOD to be a Mountaineer again. Welcome to FROM THE COUCH: No Stats. Just Feelings. This isn’t the prediction model. This isn’t a deep statistical breakdown. This is a WVU fan reacting to what we just watched and what this win could mean for Rich Rodriguez and the West Virginia Mountaineers moving forward. West Virginia is 3-0, coming off a ranked win, knocking on the door of the AP Top 25, and beginning to look like a football team developing a real identity. Maybe this rebuild — or reload — is further along than we thought. Now the question becomes: Can WVU carry this momentum into Big 12 play? Drop your thoughts in the comments: If you enjoy #wvufootball Football news, #mountaineer Football reactions, Big 12 Football analysis, Rich Rodriguez coverage, WVU predictions and West Virginia sports talk, subscribe and join the conversation.
Charlotte Showdown: WVU Football vs Virginia Preview
2026/09/16
WVU Football is 2-0, but now the real test arrives. After West Virginia’s dominant 52-7 win over UT Martin, the Mountaineers head to Charlotte for a neutral-site showdown with Virginia on September 19. In this episode of Trust The Beard, I break down what we learned from the UT Martin win, update The Beard Hot Take Tracker, and go deep into WVU vs. Virginia. We’re looking beyond the box score at the matchups that could decide this game — Michael Hawkins and the WVU offense, Zac Alley’s defense, Virginia’s explosive passing attack, third-down defense, pass rush, strength of schedule, turnovers and more. Then I put everything into the Beardologi Prediction Model for the full numbers-based projection: spread, projected total, final score and win probability. The model has spoken... but do I agree with it? Drop your WVU-UVA score prediction in the comments, and if you enjoy detailed Mountaineer football analysis, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and share the video with Mountaineer Nation! #WVU #WVUFootball #HailWV #Mountaineers
WVU Will Finish Top 5 in Big XII
2026/09/02
West Virginia went 4-8 in Year 1 under Rich Rodriguez — so how in the world could WVU go 9-3 in 2026? In the final chapter of my 4 Weeks of Fire series, I break down every game on the 2026 WVU Football schedule, reveal my path to 9 wins and a potential Top-5 Big 12 finish, and explain why Year 2 Rich Rod, the transfer portal, NIL, roster development, Cam Cook, a potentially Top-50 defense, and improved health could accelerate the Mountaineers' rebuild. We dive into the biggest swing games against Virginia, Utah, TCU, Houston, Arizona and Oklahoma State, including one major road upset prediction that could completely change WVU's season. Is 9-3 crazy—or is West Virginia ready to become one of the biggest breakout teams in college football? Let me know your WVU record prediction in the comments!
WVU’s Rich Rod Will Win Big XII Coach of the Year
2026/08/28
Could Rich Rodriguez be headed for some hardware in 2026? We dive into the history of the Big 12 Coach of the Year, the surprising precedent set by Matt Campbell at Iowa State, and why you don’t necessarily need 10+ wins—or even the best team—to take home the award. With WVU Football entering 2026 with low preseason expectations, could an 8- or 9-win season put Rich Rod squarely in the Big 12 COY race? We break down Rich Rodriguez’s Coach of the Year history, the Big 12 preseason consensus, and the coaches on my 2026 COY watchlist.
WVU Football Will Have a Top 50 Defense
2026/08/22
Can West Virginia finish 2026 with a Top 50 defense? In this video, we break down the five numbers that could define WVU's defense in 2026, comparing the Mountaineers to the average of nearly 100 Top 50 defenses from 2021-2025.
WVU’s Cam Cook Will Win Big XII OPOY
2026/08/12
The countdown to the 2026 #wvufootball season is on, and 4 WEEKS OF FIRE has officially begun! In the first episode, we’re making a bold prediction: Cam Cook will win #big12football Offensive Player of the Year. We break down Cook’s 2025 production, compare him to recent OPOY-winning running backs like Chuba Hubbard, Breece Hall, Ollie Gordon and reigning winner LJ Martin, and examine the competition standing in his way. But the prediction isn’t just about Cam Cook. We dive into the history of the Big 12, the current QB and RB landscape, the importance of a potential back-to-back 1,200-yard season, and why West Virginia may need a 25% increase in rushing production for Cook to have a legitimate OPOY campaign. With Michael Hawkins Jr., Rick Trickett and a revamped Mountaineer offense potentially taking a major step forward, is Cam Cook really the best bet to take home the Big 12's top offensive honor? Let me know what you think — and as always, Trust The Beard! Video created with #movavi
Is a Super League the Answer to College Football?
2026/07/31
This video breaks down a bold, fully built model for the future of #collegefootball — one built on clarity, fairness, competition, and real financial stakes. Across four parts, you’ll see how a 144 team, three tier ecosystem creates the most meaningful version of the sport we’ve ever imagined.
8 Reasons Why WVU Football Will Win 8 Games
2026/07/22
#WVU Football fans, this episode breaks down exactly why 8 wins in 2026 is a realistic expectation — not a dream. We dive into Rich Rodriguez Year 2, major roster upgrades, the impact of NIL retention, and how WVU fixed the biggest flaws from 2025. From a stronger culture to a better QB, a rebuilt offensive line, and Zac Alley’s defense leveling up, this is the most complete breakdown of why the Mountaineers are positioned for a major jump.
WVU Mountaineer Football vs Colorado Buffaloes Preview
2025/11/07
The Mountaineers smell blood. WVU returns to Morgantown with a chance to do something they haven’t done all season—stack wins. After a gutsy performance last week, Rich Rodriguez's squad is hungry to prove it wasn’t a fluke. Meanwhile, Colorado limps in battered and broken, fresh off two humiliating blowout losses that exposed every crack in Deion Sanders’ foundation. This isn’t just a game. It’s a gut check. Can West Virginia seize momentum and finally build a winning streak? Or will Colorado rise from the ashes and silence the doubters? Let me know what you think. Is this the turning point for the Mountaineers? We break down the matchups, coaching pressure, and emotional stakes in this brutally honest preview. No fluff. No hype. Just raw football talk. #wvufootball #hailwv #big12
WVU Mountaineer Football @ Houston Cougars Recap
2025/11/05
In this hard-hitting recap, we break down West Virginia’s showdown with Houston—every explosive play, every missed opportunity, and the emotional rollercoaster that left fans asking: is this the turning point for Rich Rodriguez 2.0? From sideline energy to schematic shifts, we dig into what’s real and what’s hype. Has WVU finally found its identity, or are we chasing ghosts from the past? Drop your thoughts in the comments: Are we witnessing a rebirth or just another false dawn? #WVUFootball #Big12 #TrustTheBeard
2025 TCU @ WVU Football Preview
2025/10/23
TCU rolls into Morgantown as a 15.5-point favorite, but this matchup is anything but predictable. In this video, we break down key analytics, BRI predictions, and Vegas odds to expose where West Virginia might have a shot—or get steamrolled. With Scotty Fox under center and ten Mountaineers ruled out, WVU faces a brutal uphill climb. But is there a path to redemption? This isn’t just another Big 12 clash—it’s a test of grit, depth, and whether WVU can salvage a season spiraling out of control. If you're betting, scouting, or just bleeding gold and blue, this preview gives you the raw numbers, real talk, and no fluff.
WVU Mountaineers at BYU Cougars Football Preview
2025/10/02
The West Virginia #mountaineers hit the road for a high-stakes #big12 showdown against the #BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah. In this video, we break down everything you need to know about this pivotal matchup—offensive keys, defensive matchups, coaching strategies, and what it’ll take for #wvu Football to pull off a statement win. 📉 WVU’s offense has struggled to find consistency, and facing a physical BYU defense in a hostile environment could be the ultimate test. Can the Mountaineers’ young talent rise up? Will the Cougars defend their turf in their second year in the Big 12 Conference? Drop your score predictions, hot takes, and thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk football. #hailwv
2025 WVU Football vs Utah Utes Review
2025/09/30
The Utah Utes made their first-ever trip to Morgantown to face a West Virginia Mountaineers squad desperate to find rhythm on offense. In this video, we break down every angle of this Big 12 showdown—from coaching decisions to quarterback play, defensive breakdowns, and the emotional pulse of #Mountaineer Nation.

Podcast reviews

Read Trust the Beard: WVU Sports+ podcast reviews


5 out of 5
3 reviews
★★★★★
Richrn 2023/07/26
Excellent Analysis
I had to slow down the playback speed to comprehend the numbers. Excellent in-depth analysis you don’t find in many other WVU podcasts.
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