On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Mountaineers will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to face the Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The matchup marks the latest chapter in a series that has seen West Virginia hold a slight edge historically, but the Horned Frogs have been gaining momentum.
Series History
West Virginia leads the all‑time series 8‑6, a narrow margin that adds intrigue to the upcoming contest. The record reflects a rivalry that has swung back and forth over the years, setting the stage for another competitive encounter.
TCU enters the game after a 2025 season that produced a 9‑4 overall record and a 5‑4 mark in Big 12 play. Fifth‑year head coach Sonny Dykes, who has amassed 36 wins at the program, will look to build on back‑to‑back nine‑win seasons and maintain the Horned Frogs’ upward trajectory.
Key Storylines
The offensive scheme will be directed by coordinator Gordon Sammis, who previously helped UConn produce its best offensive season in 22 years. At quarterback, transfer Jaden Craig brings a strong arm and dual‑threat capability from his Harvard background. The ground game features running back Jeremy Payne, while the line anchored by Ben Taylor‑Whitfield, Jaheim Buchanon and Noah McKinney ranks among the conference’s stronger units. The receiving corps, still taking shape, includes Jordan Dwyer, Jeremy Scott and Dozie Ezukanma competing for key spots.
Defensively, Andy Avalos oversees a unit that returns six of seven linemen. Interior anchor Ansel Din‑Mbuh and emerging end Paul Oyewale headline a group bolstered by transfers Cheta Ofili and Koron Hayward, both expected to add pass‑rush depth. In the secondary, newcomers Gil Jackson, Teon Parks and Kalen Carroll aim to address the unit’s 2025 shortcomings, while safety stalwarts Kylin Jackson and Jacob Fields return alongside Max Carroll and Michael Short at linebacker.
The game falls within TCU’s final stretch of a schedule that includes four of its last five opponents projected in the top five of the Big 12. ESPN’s SP+ model places the Horned Frogs 34th nationally with an average projection of 7.1 wins. Analysts expect TCU to be favored at home, though the final outcome will depend on how quickly West Virginia can elevate its offense by late October.
The projection predicts a final score of West Virginia 31, TCU 38, suggesting a Horned Frogs victory that would improve their record to 5‑3 heading into conference play.