Most important games at MF (MPS) since 1980?

[Chazz Michael Michaels]

What's your list of most important games in Mountaineer Field/MPS at MF History ? (Obviously, since 1980 when stadium built).

I'd go with:
1. 1988 (WVU 10-0) vs. Syracuse (#14) - W 31-9
2. 2007 (WVU 10-1) yup, we know
3. 1993 (WVU 10-0) vs Miami (#4) - W 17-14
4. 2016 (WVU 8-1) vs OU (#8/9) - ???
5. 2011 (WVU 4-0) vs LSU (#4) - L 21-47
6. 1998 WVU 0-0 vs OSU (#1) - L 17-34
7. 1981 WVU 4-0 vs Pitt (#4) - L -0-17
8. 1989 WVU 4-0 vs Pitt (#10) - Tie 31-31
9. 1996 WVU 7-0 vs Miami (#25) L- 7-10
10 1984 WVU 6-1 vs PSU (#19) W - 17-14
Honorable Mention:
2012 WVU 3-0 v Baylor (#25) W- 70-63 (first B12 game)
2014 WVU 6-2 vs TCU (#10) L 30-31
1993 WVU 4-0 vs UL (#17) W 36-34

 

[steeleer]

I would argue that, as a program, WVU v UL 2005 was the most important. The coming out party for White/Slaton led to WVU becoming an "it" program and IMO led to us being invited to the B12, which is the single biggest event in our history.

If that night didn't happen, we could have been stuck in the AAC right now with zero chance for us to ever be relevant again.

 

[Chazz Michael Michaels]

Good point. I was thinking more of most important games as to what was on the line going into the game At that point in 05 we were 4-1 and there wasn't a ton on the line just yet. But I agree, as how big that UL game ended up being as it got pat white era started and was springboard for the 3 season huge successes for program. It may also have been one of the biggest games in shaping the legend of Owen schmitt.

I would argue that, as a program, WVU v UL 2005 was the most important. The coming out party for White/Slaton led to WVU becoming an "it" program and IMO led to us being invited to the B12, which is the single biggest event in our history.

If that night didn't happen, we could have been stuck in the AAC right now with zero chance for us to ever be relevant again.

 

[coalcountry52]

2. 2007 (WVU 10-1) yup, we know

Fight Club.

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

I'd have to go with the Syracuse game because that got WVU into playing for the national title against Notre Dame.

Pat White's Louisville game had a 4-year significance for the program, though.


M anhandled Missouri, 26-11

O rdinary against Youngstown, 38-21

U nnerving miracle goalline tip/interception escapes BYU, 35-32

N o quit against Kansas State, 17-16

T ony’s turbulence tore up Texas Tech, 48-17

A nother defense whipping, of TCU, 34-10

I gnominy of turnovers against Oklahoma State, 20-37

N o problem decimating Kansas, 48-21

E xcellent, timely defense AGAIN; beat Texas, 24-20

E rectile dysfunction Oklahoma

R oll over Iowa State

S uffocate Baylor

 

[coalcountry52]

I would argue that, as a program, WVU v UL 2005 was the most important. The coming out party for White/Slaton led to WVU becoming an "it" program and IMO led to us being invited to the B12, which is the single biggest event in our history.

If that night didn't happen, we could have been stuck in the AAC right now with zero chance for us to ever be relevant again.

I agree. Yes, most of the fans left at halftime because it was 17-0, but no game in retrospect was more important since 1980. We rolled the rest of the season and then shocked Georgia.

 

[Mountain Man]

those may have been the most important and I attended a few of those games, but the loudest the stadium ever was vs. VT in 03.

 

[SKYHAWKBALL]

In hindsight, I'd have to say the 2005 WVU vs UL game has to be included.

 

[xWVU2010x]

Not sure why losses to random OOC #1 teams are on the list. Sure they were big games at the time but in hindsight we lost, and even if we won it's not like it would've sprung our program to new heights or anything.

 

[Chazz Michael Michaels]

My point was going INTO the game, not the result of W or L.
I picked games where we were either having a good season- so as there was a lot on the line, or for example, opening vs #1 OSU - was a big game for purposes of national attention and program.
You don't think beating #1 tOSU would've been huge for our program?
The others were all conference games other than LSU which was a huge game as they were #4 and gameday- huge opportunity for program to win that one.
But, just my opinion.
Obviously, a list of top 10 home wins would be a totally different subject.

Not sure why losses to random OOC #1 teams are on the list. Sure they were big games at the time but in hindsight we lost, and even if we won it's not like it would've sprung our program to new heights or anything.

 

[3xWVUenginEER]

IMO I'd say there's only 1 game per decade can really be described as that important. Look at what was at steak and/or on the line.

The 80s would be 88 over Syracuse. Nobody leaves and Nehlen gets a victory lap to conclude an undefeated regular season.
The 90s would be 93 over Miami. Largest crowd EVER in the 26505 and the student section turnstiles were not used the whole time. The goal posts went down as fast as I've ever seen after Kelchner did the final kneel. .
The 00s would be 07 vs North Korea. F#%$ then.
The 10s would be tonight

IMO the only honorable mention is PSU in 84. I remember tears of joy from that win which was the first time since Eisenhower was the POTUS. Goal posts came down before the game was over and it was decent but not as much on the line.

IMO When you say important something very special is on the line.

 

[TexasforevEER]

I attended the Pitt game that resulted in a 31-31 tie. WV had Pitt beat but would up struggling to even get the tie with Pitt. Major Harris could have been coached to seal the victory but............he was taking the snap time after time with 15 or more seconds left on the play clock. The idea being to run out the clock and keep the ball out of Pitt's hands.

 

[xWVU2010x]

IMO I'd say there's only 1 game per decade can really be described as that important. Look at what was at steak and/or on the line.

The 80s would be 88 over Syracuse. Nobody leaves and Nehlen gets a victory lap to conclude an undefeated regular season.
The 90s would be 93 over Miami. Largest crowd EVER in the 26505 and the student section turnstiles were not used the whole time. The goal posts went down as fast as I've ever seen after Kelchner did the final kneel. .
The 00s would be 07 vs North Korea. F#%$ then.
The 10s would be tonight

IMO the only honorable mention is PSU in 84. I remember tears of joy from that win which was the first time since Eisenhower was the POTUS. Goal posts came down before the game was over and it was decent but not as much on the line.

IMO When you say important something very special is on the line.

I agree with this post. I've always maintained WVU should always expect a team capable of competing for the big prize once a decade. This opportunity is coming a little unexpectedly but it's here nonetheless. We can speculate all we want about how this team will be with Grier next year but we have a chance at an NC in late November staring at us right in the face right now. We may or may not be able to get back to this point next year but given our history we don't exactly get these chances often. This is a gigantic game, make no mistake about it, and if things like oSu and tOSU lose in the next few hours it will get astronomically bigger.