The WVU Mountaineers had yet another challenging week as they suffered back-to-back losses. Following a tough defeat against Texas, the team faced another setback on Saturday, losing 38-14 to Iowa State at their home stadium.
After the loss, WVU’s overall record for the 2019 season stands at an even 3-3.
Despite the unexpected WVU victory, sportsbooks had anticipated a more closely contested game. Regrettably for bettors in West Virginia, the Mountaineers fell short of covering the point spread for the second consecutive week.
The line set by WV sportsbooks was WVU +10 points.
Due to an early injury to their starting quarterback Austin Kendall, the Mountaineers faced an almost insurmountable challenge in winning the game against the Cyclones. Jack Allison stepped in to replace Kendall for the rest of the afternoon after he went down during the team’s initial series.
The Mountaineers will face a tough challenge as their schedule continues. This week, they are set to travel to Norman to take on the powerhouse team of college football, the Oklahoma Sooners.
OU is widely considered as one of the most accomplished programs in college football history, consistently dominating the field in recent years. The team has clinched the Big 12 Conference championship for four consecutive years and has also made numerous appearances in the College Football Playoff.
Consider this revision: Renowned for his coaching prowess, Head Coach Lincoln Riley has emerged as one of the nation’s most sought-after coaches, attracting significant attention from NFL teams. Remarkably, the last two quarterbacks from Oklahoma—Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray—have both claimed the prestigious Heisman Trophy and been chosen as the first overall pick in the NFL draft.
Despite the Mountaineers’ recent lack of support for their gambling supporters, the sports betting market in West Virginia has been thriving.
In addition to placing bets at any of the three operational retail locations, bettors now have the option to wager using one of West Virginia’s two mobile sports betting apps.
As we prepare for a challenging game ahead, let’s analyze WVU’s recent performance and present a betting preview for their Week 8 showdown against Oklahoma.
WVU Football Disappoints
Despite displaying potential against a highly ranked Texas team, WVU faced disappointment this week in their match against Iowa State. The early injury to Kendall in the first quarter compelled the team to alter their entire game strategy.
Despite the less than perfect start, the Mountaineers displayed immense determination. They managed to take the lead in the first quarter, all thanks to Tykee Smith’s interception return for a touchdown.
In addition, the team demonstrated remarkable determination as they orchestrated a 14-play drive to conclude the first half, resulting in a touchdown. Allison skillfully guided WVU through a 76-yard journey in a little over six minutes, culminating in a nine-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Simmons.
At 14 points apiece, both the Mountaineers and bettors in the Mountain State were content with their luck. However, things took a turn for the worse in the second half.
Iowa State secured its fourth win of the year after scoring 24 consecutive points.
Although Kendall’s injury received the most attention, the real focus of the game was the performance of each team’s ground game. In essence, ISU excelled at running the ball while the Mountaineers struggled in that aspect.
Iowa State’s freshman, Breece Hall, dominated with an impressive 132 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, leading the team. On the contrary, WVU struggled to achieve similar success.
Collectively, the Mountaineers managed to gain a mere 41 yards from 28 rushing attempts. In situations where an inexperienced quarterback is at the helm, it becomes crucial for him to receive support from his running backs. Unfortunately, Allison did not receive any assistance in this regard.
Despite the loss, Allison showcased a commendable performance in his first significant appearance of the year, completing 18 out of 24 passes for 140 yards.
Coach Neal Brown acknowledged the dedication exhibited by his junior quarterback, as reported by the Associated Press.
In my opinion, it can be challenging for a backup quarterback to enter a game and perform. In college football, opportunities to practice and gain experience are relatively limited. However, considering the circumstances, I believe he did a decent job.
WVU suffered their second consecutive loss in Morgantown, and they will now hit the road for the next two weeks, beginning with their upcoming game in Oklahoma on Saturday.
WVU Football Predictions
WVU knows that every year their team’s schedule includes certain games that are bound to be exceptionally challenging. This particular match is undoubtedly one of them.
Once again in 2019, the Oklahoma Sooners have demonstrated their excellence and secured a spot as one of the top teams. This Saturday, as the fifth-ranked team in the nation, they will be hosting WVU.
Jalen Hurts, a dynamic quarterback and potential Heisman winner, leads them. The Alabama transfer has been exceptional this season, throwing for more than 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 630 yards and scoring eight more times.
Ideal would be to slow down Hurts, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. Despite being a talented player at the Crimson Tide, Hurts has shown remarkable improvement in his first year under coach Riley, as is often the case with quarterbacks.
The utmost priority for the Mountaineers should be to limit the explosive plays made down the field. Oklahoma’s offense is renowned for its dynamism, boasting numerous players capable of scoring within seconds.
In OU’s initial six games, CeeDee Lamb, a wide receiver, has already accumulated over 600 receiving yards and scored 10 touchdowns. With his exceptional speed, he will constantly seek opportunities to surpass WVU’s secondary defense.
In the event that the Mountaineers can minimize the occurrence of significant plays, they might have the chance to benefit from a few fortunate stops or turnovers. It is crucial for their offense to maximize every possession they can acquire to remain competitive in this game.
Coach Brown is uncertain about his starting quarterback for WVU’s offense. He informed reporters on Monday that Kendall’s availability for Saturday’s game is questionable.
If Kendall is unable to go, he will definitely be upset since he was forced to transfer from OU before the start of the year.
Brown’s statement, as reported by WV MetroNews, was as follows:
This afternoon, we plan to head out and engage in some throwing practice. I anticipate his availability for Saturday’s event to be uncertain. Ultimately, it will be determined by the amount of work he is capable of completing.
If WVU doesn’t have their starter prepared, this game might quickly become one-sided. Even though winning may be unlikely, having Kendall as the leader could benefit WVU bettors and help the Mountaineers cover the spread.
WVU Betting Odds
The most recent odds for the WVU Mountaineers and Marshall Thundering Herd in week 8 of college football can be found at two online sportsbooks in West Virginia, namely DraftKings and FanDuel. These odds were last updated on October 17, 2019 and include the current WVU football and Marshall odds.
| Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WVU vs. Oklahoma | |||
| DraftKings Sportsbook | WVU +33.5 | 63 | WVU TBA OU TBA |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | WVU +33.5 | 63 | WVU TBA OU TBA |
| Marshall vs. Florida Atlantic | |||
| DraftKings | Marshall +5.5 | 60 | Marshall +165 FAU -205 |
| FanDuel | Marshall +5 | 59.5 | Marshall +170 FAU -215 |
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