Staff members predict outcomes for West Virginia football games

The Smoking Musket staff has released predictions for the opening three games of the 2026 West Virginia University football season. The staff projects a season-opening victory against Coastal Carolina at Milan Puskar Stadium, where Michael Hawkins Jr. is set to make his debut as the starting quarterback. Expectations for the second week against UT Martin focus on developing team chemistry and providing playing time for younger roster members like Cam Cook and Amari Latimer. The third game against Virginia at Bank of America Stadium presents a more challenging matchup, with staff members offering differing viewpoints on the potential outcome. While some expect the Mountaineers to move to 3-0, others anticipate a narrow loss. These games represent critical early-season benchmarks for the program as it seeks to establish itself in the Big 12.

• 4:55 PMYahoo Sports — The Smoking Musket Staff 2026 WVU Football Predictions