You’ve probably seen the highlight reels from Stillwater or heard the roar of the Morgantown faithful, but the reality of the WVU vs Oklahoma St rivalry is way more chaotic than just a box score. Most folks look at the history and see a lopsided stretch where the Cowboys owned the Mountaineers. Honestly, for a solid seven years between 2015 and 2021, it felt like Mike Gundy had Neal Brown and Dana Holgorsen’s number on speed dial. But things have shifted. Hard.
The 2024 Stillwater Shocker
Basically, if you weren't watching in October 2024, you missed the moment the power dynamic flipped. West Virginia went into Boone Pickens Stadium as three-point underdogs. The narrative was simple: Ollie Gordon II would run all over them, and Alan Bowman would pick apart the secondary.
Instead? WVU absolutely bullied them. A 38-14 blowout that wasn't even as close as the score suggests. Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson combined for a rushing attack that looked like a vintage Pat White-era ground game. White alone gushed for 158 yards. Garrett Greene was efficient, and the defense turned Gordon—a literal Doak Walker winner—into a non-factor. It was the kind of win that makes a fan base believe again, especially after years of frustration.
Why the "Cowboy Dominance" Narrative is Outdated
Kinda crazy how fast things move in the Big 12. For a decade, Oklahoma State was the gold standard of consistency. But look at where we are now in early 2026. Mike Gundy is out. After a mid-season firing in 2025 that sent shockwaves through the conference, the Cowboys are in a full-blown rebuild under Eric Morris.
The Mountaineers, meanwhile, have found a weird sort of stability. They aren't winning the natty, but they’ve become the physical "blue-collar" team that everyone used to say Oklahoma State was.
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Check out the recent football trend:
- 2024: WVU wins 38-14 (Stillwater)
- 2023: OSU wins 48-34 (Morgantown)
- 2022: WVU wins 24-19 (Stillwater)
That’s two out of the last three on the football field for West Virginia. If you’re still betting on the Pokes just because of the 2010s, you’re losing money.
It’s Not Just About the Gridiron
We can’t talk about WVU vs Oklahoma St without mentioning the hardwood. This isn't just a fall fling; the basketball rivalry has become equally spicy. Just this past January (2025), the Mountaineer men’s team dismantled the Cowboys 69-50 at the WVU Coliseum. It was a defensive masterclass that held Oklahoma State to one of their lowest totals in the series.
And don't sleep on the women's side. The #21 West Virginia women’s team took down the #24 Cowgirls 54-37 around the same time. These games aren't high-scoring track meets anymore. They are slugfests. They're physical, often ugly, and decided by who wants the ball more in the paint.
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What Really Happened With Mike Gundy?
The biggest "what if" in this rivalry right now is the coaching vacuum. For years, Gundy was the face of Oklahoma State. He was the one constant in the WVU vs Oklahoma St matchup. His exit in late 2025 changed the math. Eric Morris coming in from North Texas brings a completely different "Air Raid" philosophy.
West Virginia fans are licking their chops. Why? Because historically, the Mountaineers struggle against veteran, disciplined squads. A team in transition? That’s where Neal Brown (or whoever is leading the charge in Morgantown) finds their openings.
The Transfer Portal Factor
Let’s be real—rosters don't stay the same for more than six months anymore. The 2026 matchup is going to look nothing like the 2024 one. Oklahoma State lost several key starters to the portal after Gundy's departure, including big names following Matt Campbell to Penn State (wait, that was Iowa State, but the ripple effect in the Big 12 hits everyone).
WVU has managed to keep a core of West Virginia kids and regional recruits. That "country roads" loyalty is actually paying off in the NIL era. It gives them a chemistry edge that the Cowboys are currently scrambling to find.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following this rivalry or looking toward the next matchup, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Trenches: In the last four meetings, the team that outrushed the other won every single time. It sounds like a cliché, but for these two specific programs, it's a law.
- Home Field is a Myth: Lately, the road team has been a safe bet. WVU has had more success in Stillwater recently than they’ve had at home.
- The "Morris" Effect: Keep an eye on Oklahoma State’s early 2026 games. If Eric Morris can’t fix the offensive line issues that plagued them in 2025, WVU’s defensive front will eat them alive again.
- Wrestling Matters: If you want to see where the real animosity is, go to a dual meet. These are two of the premier wrestling programs in the country, and the matches are often more intense than the football games.
The WVU vs Oklahoma St series has evolved from a predictable blowout to a genuine toss-up. Whether it's on the field or the court, the gap has closed. The "Old Guard" of the Big 12 is shifting, and right now, the Mountaineers seem to have the steadier hand.
Next Steps for the Fanatic: 1. Monitor the 2026 Football Schedule: The date for the next clash in Morgantown hasn't been finalized, but expect it to be a "Blue Out" or "Stripe the Stadium" game.
2. Check the Basketball H2H: The February 2026 basketball rematch is looming. Look at the injury reports for the Mountaineers' backcourt before placing any bets.
3. Audit the Portal: Follow the spring transfer window closely; specifically, look for defensive linemen moving from the portal into Morgantown, as that's where WVU intends to build their wall against the new OSU offense.