Rich Rodriguez talks watching WVU football opponents in Week 0, changes to football calendar
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MORGANTOWN -- The college football season is officially underway. West Virginia football's 2026 season is still a few days from starting when it opens against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 5, and so are the rest of the FBS schools, but there were games last weekend in Week 0.
A couple of the Mountaineers’ future opponents played in Week 0. After Coastal Carolina, U.T. Martin is next up for WVU, and the Skyhawks played in Week 0 against Central Arkansas. U.T. Martin lost 36-24 in the FCS clash. Virginia and TCU played a few days later on Saturday. The Horned Frogs played Bill Belichick’s North Carolina in Ireland and lost 15-10. The Cavaliers played N.C. State after, and unlike TCU, looked like a strong team. Virginia and quarterback Beau Pribula rolled 34-8.
Like most of the fans, Rodriguez was tuned in. His former Jacksonville State squad played in Week 0 as well. The Gamecocks could've used him, as they were beaten 33-7 to new FBS school North Dakota State.
Rodriguez wasn't watching as a fan, like most people. He had his coaching lens on.
"I wish I could watch it as a fan," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez doesn't get into too much scouting of future opponents, even though three teams he'll play and two of which are in the next two weeks. He takes notes on schemes and mistakes that really cost teams the game. Rodriguez watches to find little things he hadn't prepared for, or things he needs to be extra prepared going into Week 1.
"You can use it as teaching moments," Rodriguez said. "Our guys watch it, too. All my coaches are probably the same way, and they saw something in a particular game that was a teachable moment. If you're a college coach, I don't think anybody ever watches a game just to enjoy watching the game. You're watching it analytically and taking notes."
Who does Rodriguez want to win? He roots for an impossible outcome.
"I want everybody to lose," Rodriguez said. "That doesn't happen. I say everybody, everybody we play, I want them to lose."
The Week 0 games are going away soon, though. On Aug. 28, the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee approved legislation on modifications to the calendar, taking effect in the 2027 season. The season will now begin on the Thursday of what is now Week 0. This removes Week 0, and the season ends on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
WVU is supposed to play Ohio in Week 0, but that will now just be a Week 1 game on the same date.
There were also changes regarding summer practices. The FBS is mandating that schools designate a minimum of nine discretionary or voluntary weeks for athletes when athletic activities are not permitted. This is similar to the NFL’s OTAs. These changes are pending approval by the Division I cabinet on Oct. 6-7.
Rodriguez wanted these changes this offseason and prepared for them.
"That makes sense because most of our players are here," Rodriguez said. "So if you get a few practices in June. Now June’s already a hectic month because of recruiting, so the calendar ain’t completely fixed because pro guys are having mini camps in June, but they ain’t recruiting. We’re still recruiting. I think there’s still some work to be done."
Rodriguez's biggest issue with college football is still regarding roster construction. He still wants an NIL cap, the tampering to go away, and more concrete rules on the court rulings regarding eligibility. It doesn't appear those issues are being resolved anytime soon.
But Rodriguez was granted his wish regarding the calendar and the singular transfer portal window, which was crucial in getting the team prepared for Coastal Carolina. One by one, Rodriguez's problems with the sport are being fixed. There's still some work to do to get to the NFL model he’s talked about numerous times.
"That's creating chaos," Rodriguez said about the other problems in college football. "I think the practice structure everybody can agree on."