# ALERT- Houston Coach Tabs WVU as this years SURPRISE TEAM!

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-west-virginia-daily-podcast-on-west-virginia-mountaineers-football-basketball-7016257/alert-houston-coach-tabs-wvu-as-this-years-surprise-team
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-west-virginia-daily-podcast-on-west-virginia-mountaineers-football-basketball-7016257/alert-houston-coach-tabs-wvu-as-this-years-surprise-team.md
Podcast: [Locked On West Virginia - Daily Podcast on West Virginia Mountaineers Football & Basketball](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-west-virginia-daily-podcast-on-west-virginia-mountaineers-football-basketball-7016257)
Published: 2026-07-08T06:42:20+00:00
Episode link: https://locked-on-west-virginia-daily-podcast-on-west-virginia-mou.simplecast.com/episodes/alert-houston-coach-tabs-wvu-as-this-years-surprise-team-ZGucuesB
Audio file: https://lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/efe3642a-70da-4b80-806c-142be9501fde/episodes/cc45baa6-86df-4a96-a4d1-6478baf52305/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=efe3642a-70da-4b80-806c-142be9501fde&awEpisodeId=cc45baa6-86df-4a96-a4d1-6478baf52305&feed=ZgGdEM9O
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Duration seconds: 2490

## Resource

Houston head coach Willie Fritz was asked one simple question at Big 12 Media Days: *Is there a team that could separate itself from the pack?* One of the first teams he mentioned? *West Virginia.* After watching Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers physically dominate Houston last season, Fritz admitted they "got our butts kicked" and pointed to WVU as a team that could emerge in 2026. So why are coaches inside college football so much higher on West Virginia than much of the national media? In today's show, we break down Fritz's comments, why they matter, and how they fit into a growing trend of people inside the sport believing the Mountaineers could be one of the biggest surprises in the Big 12 this season. We'll also discuss: 🏈 Willie Fritz's comments on WVU and Rich Rodriguez 🏈 Why coaches may value this roster differently than outsiders 🏈 The impact of 80+ newcomers and a massive transfer portal overhaul 🏈 Whether the 5.5-win projection is selling the Mountaineers short 🏈 What success should actually look like for West Virginia in 2026 Do you agree with Willie Fritz? *Could West Virginia be the team that separates itself from the middle of the Big 12, or is the hype getting ahead of reality?* Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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## Transcript

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