Ask any avid college football fan to recall the wildest season they remember, and many will point to 2007. It was a year of upheaval, including Appalachian State’s stunning victory over Michigan at the Big House. That was just the beginning. Throughout the season, 62 ranked teams fell to lower ranked or unranked opponents. Teams ranked No. 2 in the polls lost seven times in the season’s final nine weeks.

Despite the chaos, the season concluded predictably, with SEC and Big Ten powerhouses vying for the national championship in New Orleans. Yet, a different scenario almost unfolded, one that could have crowned a first-time national champion in West Virginia.

The West Virginia Mountaineers came close to reaching the pinnacle in ’07, leaving a lasting legacy as a standout ‘what if’ in college football history.

Led by head coach Rich Rodriguez, the Mountaineers had made significant strides by the mid-2000s. Rodriguez’s implementation of a spread-option offense and a strong team culture resulted in Big East co-championships by 2004. Miami’s departure to the ACC created an opportunity in the Big East, which West Virginia swiftly seized.

In 2005, the Mountaineers surprised many by finishing with an 11-1 record and defeating SEC champions Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They followed up in 2006 with another 11-win season, achieving a top-ten AP Poll ranking for consecutive years. All this set the stage for 2007, where they entered the season ranked within the top five, marked as potential national champions.

Even an early defeat by ranked South Florida—later a victim of the infamous ‘curse of number two’—didn’t derail West Virginia’s title aspirations. The team, with Pat White steering Rodriguez’s system, offered an offensive spectacle. With standout performances from White, running backs Steve Slaton and Noel Devine, and fullback Owen Schmitt, the Mountaineers boasted one of the nation’s most formidable rushing games.

West Virginia’s offense scored nearly 40 points per game, placing ninth nationally. They led the country in yards per play, achieving an average of 6.2 yards per rush. Their relentless offense left opponents struggling all year, leading towards a promising end of the season.

Ranked second in the BCS polls and first in USA Today Coaches Poll, the Mountaineers were poised for a championship game berth. Victory over rival Pittsburgh Panthers in The Backyard Brawl was all that was needed. With Pitt struggling at 4-7 and as 28-point underdogs, the matchup seemed straightforward.

However, the unpredictability of 2007 resurfaced as West Virginia’s offense sputtered. Held to 183 total yards and plagued by turnovers, the team stumbled to a shocking 13-9 defeat. This loss sealed their fate, removing them from title contention.

West Virginia’s Fiesta Bowl triumph over Oklahoma soon after only added to the ‘what if’ narrative. Following the season, Rodriguez moved to Michigan, seeking further success, but struggled to replicate his achievements.

For West Virginia, proximity to a title remained elusive. Yet, the 2007 saga holds a bittersweet resonance, a testament to their near-miss amid college football’s pre-playoff rigor.