ESPN Not Impressed With Mountaineers’ Options Under Center

ESPN has released its ranking of every starting quarterback across the power conferences, putting each program’s situation in order from No. 1 through No. 68.

When it came to West Virginia, the Mountaineers checked in at No. 64, and the description that came with that spot raised plenty of eyebrows. Instead of listing a projected starter like Nicco Marchiol or any other signal caller, ESPN simply wrote, “Two or three square pegs for round holes.”

The choice of words was blunt, suggesting that West Virginia does not have a natural fit under center heading into the season. To describe a quarterback room as “square pegs” implies the players on hand do not perfectly match what the system is asking for, and that the offense may be forced into awkward adjustments to cover those gaps.

For head coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff, that narrative sets the stage for a significant challenge. The quarterback position is always under the microscope, and when national observers frame the group as a group of misfits, it’s not exactly a great look.

There is still reason for optimism in Morgantown. Marchiol has shown flashes of ability, and others in the room bring valuable experience from within the Big 12 and Power Four football. The task now is for the coaching staff to tailor its scheme to what those players do best, rather than forcing them into situations that highlight weaknesses. Another issue for WVU has simply been a lack of health at key positions. Notable Mountaineers missing time this season include Nicco Marchiol, Jaheim White, Jaden Bray, and many, many more.

Still, ESPN’s ranking sends a clear message about how the program is being viewed from the outside. At No. 64, only a handful of teams were ranked lower, and that positioning reflects a widespread belief that West Virginia has one of the most unsettled quarterback rooms in the country.