West Virginia fan excitement remains high following 4-8 football season

West Virginia football fans maintain high levels of optimism for the upcoming season despite the team finishing with a 4-8 record last year. A poll conducted by The Smoking Musket measured fan sentiment through a numerical scale, finding higher than expected enthusiasm. The Mountaineers have not appeared in the AP poll since 2019, marking the second-longest drought among Power 4 programs. Supporters cited expectations for improvement under head coach Rich Rod in his second year, along with the return of Coach Trickett to the staff. The roster also features a quarterback transfer with prior SEC experience. The Smoking Musket will continue to track sentiment through periodic polls conducted on the Monday following each game throughout the 2026 season.

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