The more you win the bigger the games get. I mentioned here last week how that quote was a favorite cliché for coaches. As we approach kickoff against TCU at 3:30 pm today, can't you see how that quote stands true? 

 

Texas Tech was a big game at the time. In fact, at the time, I labeled it as a must-win for WVU. The Mountaineers got the win and returned home to face Baylor, which suddenly took on new meaning and importance after beating the Red Raiders. WVU became the trendy pick nationally prior to the game. Lo and behold, another win; this one in convincing fashion over a top 5 team.

 

Now there was some real buzz. You could feel the intensity get turned up in the days following the win over Baylor. People were talking. And not just people in the state or close to the Big 12. This was national buzz. Rumors started swirling that Morgantown may be a destination for ESPN's Gameday if both WVU and TCU could win and Ole Miss were to lose.

 

As you're well aware, all of those things happened. WVU went on the road and put away one of the better programs in the Big 12. This is clearly not one of Mike Gundy's better Oklahoma State teams, but a win in Stillwater is a tough thing to get. If you’re WVU, you are thrilled to get out of there unscathed.

 

WVU has now won four straight games. The win total in the month of October this year equals the number of wins WVU had ALL of last season. The buzz keeps building each week. The importance of each game building to the point that today Morgantown becomes the center of the college football universe.

 

When ESPN's Gameday rolls into town you know it's a big day. Not only do you have a three hour infomercial from your campus, but you also get the pre-show hype during the week on all of the ESPN platforms that comes with being the chosen location for the week. How many times has ‘West Virginia’ been mentioned this week? The value is incalculable.

 

We've talked a bunch over the last year about how long it would take West Virginia to get back and be nationally relevant again. Well, we have our answer – less than a season. Here's the key though …can WVU capitalize on the momentum and attention? 

 

Four straight wins, including one over a top 5 team has put the Mountaineers squarely in the discussion about a Big 12 championship. Beat TCU today and a league title becomes a legitimate possibility. With a win, WVU would own victories over two of the league's best teams and would get a third (Kansas State) at home in Milan Puskar Stadium. With only three games remaining after today, a league title, that seemed so far away at this point last year, would suddenly be within the grasp of the Mountaineers.

 

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is a very good TCU team coming into Mountaineer Field today. I said on the air yesterday, that WVU is one of the most improved teams in the country from a year ago. There aren't many teams that have come so far in such a short time. On the short list of most improved teams though ... TCU. 

 

As good as WVU's turnaround has been, TCU's may be better. The Mountaineers went from a dreadful offense to really good. At times last year you wondered if WVU would score and now, the Mountaineers rank 23rd in the country in scoring offense. The same could be said for TCU. They looked awful on offense for much of last year. Remember, the quarterback issues that plagued the Frogs the past couple of seasons?

 

Starter Casey Pachall was seen as a future NFL guy two seasons ago. Then his season and TCU's hopes were derailed as he entered rehab to deal with a substance abuse problem. Enter current starter Trevone Boykin who led TCU to that thrilling overtime win in Morgantown in 2012. Last year, Pachall returned and split time with Boykin at the quarterback position. Neither could take the job from the other.

 

In fact, Boykin played receiver against WVU last year and was fantastic, catching 11 balls for more than 100 yards. As I watched him last year at receiver, I thought the guy had an NFL future at that position.

 

Fast forward to this year, when new co-offensive coordinators Sonny Cumbie (from Texas Tech) and Doug Meachem (Oklahoma State) took over and installed a new offense, one that will look very familiar to Mountaineer fans. WVU coach Dana Holgorsen coached Cumbie at Texas Tech and worked with Meachem at Oklahoma State. You will notice a ton of similarities later today when the teams take the field.

 

Now, Boykin is not only the clear starter, he's in the Heisman discussion as we enter the final month of the season. Boykin averages more than 300 yards passing per game and more than 50 yards rushing as well. The last two college football players to do that? Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel. Both won the Heisman Trophy.

 

Boykin is the only player in college football player in nearly two decades to have a game in which he threw for 400 yards, one where he ran for a 100 yards and one in which he caught passes for at least 100 yards. To say he is a remarkable football player would be an understatement.

 

That said, these two teams have played tremendously close games the past two seasons. Both games went to overtime, both ended with the visiting team winning. I expect more of the same today. The numbers advantage goes to TCU. They are better in nearly every important statistical category.

 

The edge goes to WVU when it comes to home field advantage, emotion, atmosphere and momentum. 

 

The more you win, the bigger the games get. Today is a great example. Enjoy the game, the atmosphere and the overall environment surrounding two good football teams on the national stage. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of Wes Tonkery and bottom photo of Kevin White by Joe McNemar of D-Max Photography.