Neal Brown at Big 12 Media Days 2024: Top 5 questions we want West Virginia HC to answerÂ
Neal Brown and the West Virginia Mountaineers are a team in transition as Big 12 Media Days arrive. A season ago, Brown's job might have been in jeopardy. But a 9-4 campaign in 2023 was a significant improvement. As Brown and West Virginia look to continue the upswing, here are the five questions we're looking to hear him answer at the Big 12 Media Days 2024.
Top 5 questions for Neal Brown at Big 12 Media Days 2024
#1. Will WVU keep using Garrett Greene on the ground?
Much of West Virginia's improvement last year came through quarterback Garrett Greene. But the issue with Greene is that the Moutaineers have used him heavily on the ground. Last season, Greene rushed 120 times for 772 yards and 13 scores. Greene already missed a game due to injury and it'll be interesting to see if he is de-emphasized in the ground game.
West Virginia rushed for 229 yards per game last year, up from 172 yards the year before. The Mountaineers have other ground-based options, but it'll be interesting to see how Greene is handled.
#2. How will WVU use the backs?
For that matter, West Virginia has to handle a nice 1-2 punch on the ground. A year ago, 5-foot-7 speedster Jaheim White had 842 rushing yards on just 109 carries. Meanwhile, 6-foot-1, 238-pound power rusher CJ Donaldson Jr. had 798 yards and 11 scores for the Mountaineers.
Third-stringer Jaylen Anderson has shown some impressive bursts as well. Donaldson's 171 carries last year were tops on the team. But how West Virginia uses its stable of rushers will be a major question in 2024.
#3. Can the offensive line do it again?
A season ago, West Virginia's offensive line was one of the team's best surprises. The Mountaineers allowed just 10 QB sacks all season and picked up 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. Center Zach Frazier is a big loss to the NFL, but West Virginia still has some solid players.
WVU does return three starters up front and their initial starting five is likely two seniors and three juniors. Can they play that well? It would be tough, but Neal Brown would probably accept a performance even close to that level.
#4. Who's this year's Bennie Bishop?
A season ago, West Virginia added cornerback Bennie Bishop as a transfer and watched him shine. Bishop broke up 20 passes and was a first-team All-American as a Mountaineer. However, Bishop is now gone and West Virginia needs another shot of that defensive magic.
Could CB Garnett Hollis fill that role? A Northwestern transfer, the 6-foot-1 Hollis could at least approach that level of impact. Duquesne transfer Ayden Garnes is just a sophomore, so his development might take a bit longer, but he's another intriguing prospect.
#5. Can West Virginia improve?
Nine wins was the most for the Mountaineers since 2016, when they won 10 games. Can Neal Brown and the squad reach that level in 2024? For one thing, the schedule is pretty tough. Pre-conference games include hosting Penn State to open and playing at Pittsburgh in Week 3.
League play includes trips to Oklahoma State, Arizona, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. If the Mountaineers can get off to a solid start, they could be a factor in the Big 12 and potentially the CFP. But can they get off to a solid start?
What questions do you hope Neal Brown answers at Big 12 Media Days? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.