We Simulated WVU’s 2025 Season 25 Times in College Football 26 & Here Are the Results
With excitement building ahead of the 2025 college football season, we decided to take a data-driven look at what the year might hold for the **West Virginia Mountaineers**. Using the new **College Football 26** video game, which features updated rosters, real-life schedules, and advanced AI decision-making, we simulated WVU’s full season **25 times** to get a clearer sense of where Neal Brown’s squad might land this fall.
The results? A mix of hope, heartbreak, and a few surprising highs — and one thing is clear: **consistency will be key** for WVU in a deep Big 12.
Here’s what we found.
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### **Average Record: 7–5**
Across 25 simulations, **West Virginia averaged a 7–5 finish**, which puts them right in the middle of bowl eligibility. While the Mountaineers didn’t make the Big 12 Championship in any of the simulations, they were in contention deep into November in **6 of the 25 seasons**, suggesting the potential to play spoiler or even overachieve under the right circumstances.
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### **Most Common Record: 6–6**
The most frequent outcome was **6–6**, happening **8 times**. In nearly all of these cases, the Mountaineers lost close games to the likes of **Oklahoma State**, **UCF**, and **Kansas**, but stayed competitive throughout the season.
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### **Best Season: 10–2 (Bowl Win Over Florida State)**
The best result across all simulations came in the 14th run, where WVU finished **10–2** and earned a trip to the **Cheez-It Bowl**, where they upset a strong **Florida State** team. In that dream season, **quarterback Garrett Greene** posted a Heisman-worthy stat line: 3,800 passing yards, 800 rushing yards, and 39 total touchdowns.
That run also saw the defense lead the Big 12 in takeaways and sacks, with **Lee Kpogba** and **Tomiwa Durojaiye** emerging as breakout stars.
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### **Worst Season: 4–8**
On the flip side, WVU also hit rock bottom in simulation #9. A string of early losses to Penn State, Pitt, and Cincinnati derailed momentum, and the team never recovered. Injuries and defensive lapses were major themes in the down years.
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### **Key Takeaways from the Simulations**
**1. Garrett Greene is the X-Factor**
In every winning season, Greene performed at an elite level both as a passer and runner. When he struggled or missed time due to simulated injuries, WVU’s win total usually dropped below .500. If Greene can stay healthy and take a step forward in real life, WVU could surprise.
**2. Defense Remains a Wild Card**
The Mountaineers’ defense ranged from dominant to disastrous across simulations. A handful of seasons saw the unit finish top 20 nationally in scoring defense, while others ranked near the bottom in pass coverage and red zone stops. The unit’s performance had a direct impact on the outcome of close games.
**3. Turnovers Decide Everything**
In 7 of the 25 simulations, WVU led the Big 12 in turnover margin — and in all 7 of those years, they won at least 8 games. Conversely, when they were turnover-prone, the team finished with no more than 5 wins.
**4. Rivalry Games Swing Momentum**
Simulated wins over **Pitt** and **Penn State** usually sparked strong seasons, while losses in those early non-conference matchups often led to slow starts and bowl-less finishes. Winning just one of those rivalry games proved to be a key turning point in many simulations.
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### **Bowl Appearances by Frequency**
* **Texas Bowl** – 5 times
* **Cheez-It Bowl** – 4 times
* **Liberty Bowl** – 4 times
* **Guaranteed Rate Bowl** – 3 times
* **No Bowl (missed eligibility)** – 6 times
* **Pop-Tarts Bowl (highest profile)** – 2 times
* **Other (Music City, Duke’s Mayo)** – 1 each
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### **Sim MVPs**
* **Garrett Greene (QB)** – MVP in 14 simulations
* **CJ Donaldson Jr. (RB)** – Averaged 1,000+ rushing yards across all runs
* **Beanie Bishop Jr. (CB)** – 7 INTs in best season, lockdown defender
* **Preston Fox (WR)** – Top target, especially in Greene’s best years
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### **Final Thoughts**
While simulations aren’t perfect predictors, **College Football 26** gives us an engaging and data-rich peek at possible outcomes. For WVU, the takeaway is simple: this team has the tools to win 8 or more games — but it will require health, defensive growth, and mistake-free football.
The simulated versions of 2025 WVU showed a team that could swing from mediocrity to memorable. Now the real Mountaineers have to go prove which version they’ll become.
One thing’s for sure
: fans should buckle up — it’s going to be a wild ride in Morgantown this fall.
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