ESPN’s Football Power Index has released its projection for the West Virginia Mountaineers’ 2026 season. The model weighs strength of schedule, roster talent, and past performance to forecast how the team could fare across the Big 12 slate. The projection gives fans an early look at where Mountaineers football might land in the standings and bowl picture. While predictive models are never a guarantee, the numbers spark plenty of debate in Morgantown as the program looks ahead.