The Memorable 2007 West Virginia Mountaineers Football Season

Ask any dedicated college football fan about the craziest season they remember, and many will point to 2007. The year was marked by unparalleled upsets, including Appalachian State’s shocking win over Michigan at the Big House. That upset set the tone for a season full of surprises.

In total, 62 ranked teams were defeated by lower-ranked or unranked teams. Over the season’s last nine weeks, teams ranked No. 2 in major polls lost seven times. Yet, the season concluded predictably with SEC and Big Ten powerhouses vying for the national championship in New Orleans.

One overlooked story from 2007 involves the West Virginia Mountaineers, a team that emerged as a significant ‘what-if’ in college football history. Although they didn’t clinch a national championship, they came remarkably close.

West Virginia’s Rise Under Rich Rodriguez

Head coach Rich Rodriguez transformed the Mountaineers in the mid-2000s with his innovative spread-option offense. By 2004, West Virginia had won two Big East co-championships. The team stepped up to fill the void left by Miami’s departure to the ACC.

The 2005 season was pivotal, as the Mountaineers achieved an 11-1 record and stunned Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Dual-threat quarterback Pat White led the team with a dynamic offense. This success continued in 2006, as the Mountaineers secured another 11-win season and a top-ten finish in the AP Poll.

The 2007 High Stakes

As the 2007 season began, West Virginia posed a real national championship threat, maintaining a top-five ranking. Despite an early loss to South Florida, the Mountaineers remained contenders amid the nationwide chaos.

Pat White excelled in Rodriguez’s system, alongside star running backs Steve Slaton and Noel Devine, and fullback Owen Schmitt. Together, they formed a formidable rushing unit feared nationwide. The team’s offense averaged nearly 40 points per game, ranking ninth in the country, and led in yards per play.

The Heartbreaking End

Heading into the final week, West Virginia ranked second in the BCS polls and first in the USA Today Coaches Poll. A victory against Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl would guarantee a title game spot. However, the Panthers, underdogs by 28 points, upset West Virginia with a 13-9 win, ending the Mountaineers’ championship dreams.

West Virginia bounced back in the Fiesta Bowl, defeating a top-five Oklahoma team. However, the loss to Pittsburgh remained a bitter memory. After the season, Rich Rodriguez left for Michigan, unable to replicate his Mountaineers’ success.

A Potential Dynasty Stalled

Since then, West Virginia has not come as close to winning a national title. In 2025, Rich Rodriguez returned to Morgantown, highlighting the mutual need between coach and team. The 2007 season remains a significant narrative of near success and missed opportunity.

This story underscores the excitement and unpredictability of college football’s pre-playoff era. West Virginia’s 2007 journey stands as a testament to what might have been, capturing the essence of college football’s allure during that time.