3 Guys Before The Game - Backyard Brawl Recap (Episode 575)

This holiday weekend brings a full plate of Mountaineer athletics. West Virginia football wraps up the regular season Saturday with a daunting challenge against No. 5 Texas Tech, while WVU men’s basketball tips off a three-game week Sunday against Mercyhurst. In this episode, the “Guys” dive into the numbers to preview the Red Raiders and break down the matchup with the Lakers. Listener questions and comments round out the show.

It was not the weekend in Charleston the Mountaineer basketball team envisioned. A gut-punch loss to Clemson on Friday was followed by Xavier’s record-setting shooting display on Sunday, sending previously undefeated WVU home with two defeats in three days. Now the question becomes: How will they respond? The Mountaineers have a full week to reset, regroup, and recalibrate before hosting Mercyhurst next Sunday in Morgantown. In this episode, the “Guys” break down the numbers behind the struggles in South Carolina and explain why WVU left without a win. The crew also recaps their weekend event and closes the show by answering listener questions and comments. 

West Virginia has handled its business at home — now it’s time to see how the Mountaineers travel. After opening the season with five straight wins inside Hope Coliseum, WVU heads south to Charleston, South Carolina, for its first true test away from Morgantown. Ross Hodge’s undefeated squad meets Clemson on Friday, with either Georgia or Xavier waiting next. It’s a pivotal early-season checkpoint as the Mountaineers gear up for the grind of Big 12 play. In this episode, the “Guys” break down Monday’s win over Lafayette and dive into the matchup with Clemson. They also examine the impact of standout football recruit Kevin Brown’s commitment to WVU. Listener questions and comments round out the show on Textual Healing.

WVU Basketball preview.WVU men's soccer coach Dan Stratford comments on NCAA Tournament selection. Jefferson High FB coach Craig Hunter on 2nd round playoff rematch with GW. 

West Virginia traveled more than two thousand miles to face Arizona State, but Saturday’s outcome came down to inches.The Mountaineers’ struggles in critical fourth-and-short moments proved costly, opening the door for the Sun Devils to escape with the win.In this episode, the “Guys” unpack the disappointment in the desert and shine a well-deserved spotlight on the WVU women’s basketball team after its unprecedented—and emphatic—victory over No. 15 Duke.Listener questions and comments round out the show on Textual Healing. 

In just his fourth game at the helm, West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge delivered a signature win against the program’s oldest rival.Thursday’s Backyard Brawl wasn’t simply a victory — it was a dismantling. Hodge’s trademark defensive pressure smothered Pitt, holding the Panthers to just 49 points, while a poised and balanced Mountaineer offense sent four players into double figures.In this episode, the “Guys” break down every angle of the Brawl — the tactics, the tone, and the emerging storylines — before turning their attention to Saturday’s football trip to Arizona State. Can Rich Rodriguez’s squad pull off an upset in the desert?Listener questions and comments round out the show on Textual Healing.

The Mountaineers are trending up.Game by game, West Virginia football continues to take visible steps forward. Saturday’s win over Colorado marked the team’s second straight victory — and delivered a much-needed surge of momentum heading into the final two games of the regular season.So, what’s behind the turnaround?In this episode, the “Guys” dig into the numbers and the nuance — explaining how and why the Mountaineers have found their rhythm. They also break down the latest WVU basketball victory and what it reveals about the early direction of the season.Listener questions and comments wrap things up with another dose of Textual Healing.

After snapping a five-game losing streak, West Virginia enters Saturday’s matchup against visiting Colorado as the favorite. The question now — have the Mountaineers truly embraced the Hard Edge mentality that Rich Rodriguez has preached since his return?Meanwhile, Colorado arrives in Morgantown reeling from back-to-back blowout losses to Utah and Arizona, a combined 105–24 margin.In this episode, the “Guys” break down what to expect on Saturday, explore the key matchups, and review the first two games of the WVU men’s basketball season.Listener questions and comments wrap up the show.

It was a weekend to remember for West Virginia football.The Mountaineers snapped a five-game losing streak — and did it in style — knocking off No. 22 Houston on the road, 45-35.True freshman quarterback Scotty Fox, making just his third career start, delivered a breakout performance. He threw for one touchdown, ran for two more, and led WVU to its first road victory over a ranked team since 2018. In this episode, the “Guys” break down how it happened — and dig into the analytics that made the upset possible.Brad and Tony also turn their attention to hoops, previewing Tuesday’s regular-season opener between the Mountaineers and Mount St. Mary’s.Listener questions and comments wrap up the show with another round of Textual Healing.

It’s a familiar situation — and that’s not good news.West Virginia hits the road again this weekend, once more a double-digit underdog, this time at No. 22 Houston.The Cougars are chasing another win in their surprising season, while the Mountaineers are still searching for that elusive first conference victory.In this episode, the “Guys” take a deep dive into the matchup:What will it take for WVU to pull the upset?Can freshman quarterback Scotty Fox continue his steady rise?Plus, a look at the bizarre headlines swirling around the college football world — because there’s never a dull week on the gridiron.Listener questions and comments wrap up the show with another round of Textual Healing.