We asked followers ofThe Smoking Musket Twitter/X account to respond with a number between 0 and 100 that represented their excitement level for the upcoming football season. This is the result:
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this poll, but I have to say I’m surprised that the number was this high. I would have guessed it would be closer to 50, and why shouldn’t it be? After all, we are coming off of a 4-8 season. We haven’t been ranked in the AP poll since 2019, which is the second-longest
drought in the country among the Power 4 conferences (Rutgers is first). So, a 50 average would have made total sense.
I’ve spent the last few days asking the question, “Why?” I think there are legitimate reasons to be excited about this season. I think it’s fair to expect a significant bounce in Rich Rod’s second year. Bringing Coach Trickett home is a big lift. Getting a Power 4 quarterback transfer with SEC experience helps. But what it really comes down to is that the WVU fan base is, quite simply, the most irrationally resilient fan base in the country, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. The fact is that any team that is willing to wear the Old Gold and Blue and represent our State will, by default, have our support, our excitement, our love, and our optimism until they give us a reason not to. That doesn’t mean we will always be rational with our expectations, and certainly not well-behaved. But it will always come from a place of passion that I don’t think you can find anywhere else. Let’s hope this year’s team gives us all a reason to continue being irrational instead of irate.
If you would like participate in the next Musket Meter fan poll make sure you are following us here. We will take this poll on the Monday after each game to track the excitement level all season long.
