I do think we should see significant progress this year, but something tells me we are still a year away from that 10-11 win season. While our OL is a year older, they still have a couple more years of eligibility, esp considering the COVID year doesnt count. Also, transfer QBs usually play much better their second year in their new spot & familiarity with their new team, players, etc.... ie Will Grier.
So I think we have a 8-9 win season this year, which is good enough to show progress, but I think next year is when we play in the Big12 Championship. Our DBs will be more seasoned, our DL & LB depth will be solid, the only thing Brown will need to pursue heavily in the portal will be 1-2 high impact WR's, and few more pieces(DL, DB, OL) to replace James & BFW mainly... We'll def need at least 1 high-end WR, but if we get a good one, I think next year is our year to seriously compete on a national stage. The team as a whole will just be older, more experienced, and nothing but time will resolve the mistakes learned through trial & error by player's execution. IN the collegiate game, there is no substitute for experience & maturity, aside from speed & shiftiness of course.
Considering WVU is projected for 5.5 wins, I think that is EASY money.... As we should get 8-9 wins this year, but I still think we are 1 year away from reaching that program BUILT(not building) level of talent, experience, & depth consistency. We should see this team continue to improve as the season plays out, which is a good thing as our schedule gets tougher so that should help us be more competitive vs those better opponents.
Looking at this roster, all the new pieces, I think JTD shows us potential this year, but stays for a second year and thats the year when everything really comes together for Brown and staff.. When his era reaches a new level and gets us back on a national stage. That also gives Nicco 1 more year to learn, develop, and mature, so he can take the reigns without a decline in his RS Soph year, giving us 3 years of great QB play.. I think next year is the first year when we begin to compete on a higher level year in and year out.. From a youth perspective, I just think we are 1 year away from really hitting our stride and obtaining those 10-12 win seasons. That said, I absolutely agree this is the year we should see progress, the signs that a 10-12 win team is there, they just need another year before the alignment of 1st string & 2nd string talent upside.
If we only win 6-7 games this year, I would certainly be disappointed, I suppose it depends how the season ends, do we start slow but end on a high note with a few consecutive wins and a bowl win... If thats the case, Ill stick to my prediction, but if its mixed through the season with no in-season progress/improvement, I would absolutely say Brown should be on the hot seat next year. 5 years is long enough to show progress, while technically hes already showed progress given what he inherited, I think the signs need to be there at some point this year that Brown is close to a 10+ win roster..
How Brown has recruited, once we hit that point next year, we should be able to remain at that level with Brown continues to recruit at a good level. So 1 more year until we have mostly experienced Seniors & Juniors on the field, but once we hit that point, we should be set to go on a run for a few years... I suppose we'll see, Ive been very patient and understanding with Brown. WVU has ALWAYS been a development program that heavily relies on experienced upper classmen, and when you inherit one of the youngest and least talented rosters in the P5, thats going to take a few years to begin to resolve and that switch doesnt occur overnight. BUT.... 4 years in and we should absolutely see we have a quality team in Morgantown, they just need 1 more year before the teams experience+talent peaks...
