The Unpredictable 2007 College Football Season and the West Virginia Mountaineers

The 2007 college football season is often remembered as one of the most unpredictable in history. Fans recall dramatic upsets, particularly Appalachian State’s victory over Michigan. Throughout that season, 62 ranked teams fell to lower-ranked or unranked opponents. Notably, teams ranked second in major polls lost seven times in the last nine weeks of that tumultuous year.

Despite the chaos, the season concluded predictably with SEC and Big Ten powerhouses competing for the national championship. However, it nearly ended differently. The West Virginia Mountaineers in 2007 came close to securing a national title, creating a memorable ‘what if’ scenario in the annals of college football.

In the mid-2000s, head coach Rich Rodriguez transformed West Virginia’s football program. His spread-option offense became a force, earning the team Big East co-championships and filling the void left by Miami’s conference change. By 2005, West Virginia impressed by winning the Sugar Bowl against SEC champion Georgia, led by quarterback Pat White. In 2006, the team secured another impressive season, finishing in the top ten of the AP Poll.

Entering 2007, the Mountaineers were contenders for the national championship, starting the season with a top-five ranking. Even after losing to South Florida, they remained in contention amid national chaos. The team, known for its powerful offense led by Pat White, running backs Steve Slaton and Noel Devine, and fullback Owen Schmitt, was almost unstoppable. Averaging nearly 40 points per game, they ranked ninth in scoring and boasted top-five yards per play statistics.

As the season neared its end, West Virginia was ranked second in the BCS polls and first in the USA Today Coaches Poll. A victory over rivals Pittsburgh would have secured their title game spot. Yet, the ‘curse of number two’ struck again. In the Backyard Brawl, West Virginia was defeated 13-9 by a struggling Pittsburgh team, dashing their championship hopes.

The disappointment deepened when West Virginia dominated Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, underscoring their missed opportunity. Rodriguez departed for Michigan after the season, yet his success remained unrivaled. West Virginia has not reached such championship proximity since.

In 2025, Rodriguez and West Virginia reunited, underscoring their mutual impact. The 2007 season remains storied for its unpredictability and near misses, epitomized by West Virginia’s journey. Though remembered as a ‘what if’ tale, the Mountaineers’ story highlights a period that made college football special.