It was seemingly inevitable that a WVU football game would be impacted by positive COVID-19 cases.
Due to the surge of coronavirus cases nationwide, numerous college football programs have had no choice but to cancel multiple games.
Fortunately, the Mountaineers are minimally affected by the increase in positive cases at Oklahoma.
The game that was supposed to take place last week has been postponed and is now set for Dec. 12. However, the Mountaineers are proceeding with their regular schedule this week by heading to No. 9 Iowa State on Saturday to face off against the Cyclones.
WVU Football vs. Iowa State Preview
After a two-week break, WVU enters this week’s game following their 18-point victory over TCU on November 14th.
Will Neal Brown’s team be fresh or out of practice?
Normally, a bye week at this stage of the season provides numerous benefits. Nonetheless, an excessive amount of time off might potentially affect the Mountaineers’ performance as they approach a crucial contest.
This week, Iowa State faces a crucial match against West Virginia, as they strive to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship for the first time. If the Cyclones emerge victorious, they will improve to an impressive 8-1 in the conference and potentially face off against either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State in the title game.
Iowa State’s most recent game was held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, where they emerged victorious with a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback, defeating No. 17 Texas by a score of 23-20.
Following a narrow defeat to Oklahoma State in late October, the Cyclones bounced back with an impressive streak of four consecutive victories. Demonstrating a well-rounded offense, they have managed to maintain an average of over 33 points per game throughout the year 2020.
Quarterback Brock Purdy spearheads the offense, showcasing his versatility by completing over 69% of his passes against the Longhorns. In an impressive performance, he threw for 312 yards and a touchdown.
When Purdy is not in motion, he passes the ball to the primary running back, Breece Hall. The sophomore has an impressive record, accumulating almost 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, with an average of 6.3 yards per carry.
Purdy possesses multiple effective options in the passing game as well.
Xavier Hutchinson, the junior wide receiver, stands at the forefront of the Cyclones’ offense, leading the team in both catches and yards. He has amassed an impressive total of 42 receptions, accumulating a remarkable 523 yards.
Keep an eye on tight end Charlie Kolar, as he showcased his skills by grabbing six receptions for an impressive 131 yards against Texas.
Junior linebacker Mike Rose is the standout player defensively, leading the Cyclones in tackles with an impressive 76, including 43 solo tackles. No other player on the team has surpassed 32 tackles.
Rose will focus on containing Leddie Brown and the Mountaineers’ ground game, but Jarret Doege must also be mindful of Iowa State’s pass rush.
The Cyclones’ defensive duo, Will McDonald IV and JaQuan Bailey, have both recorded more than six sacks this season.
College Football Betting Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Undoubtedly, this game stands out as one of the tougher challenges on WVU’s schedule. Iowa State has demonstrated its ability to go head-to-head with formidable opponents, and it appears that this could be their breakthrough year.
However, it is certain that the Mountaineers possess enough talent to achieve an unexpected victory this week.
Doege displayed great efficiency in their previous game against TCU, while Brown excelled at running the ball. If they can maintain their strong ground game and minimize errors, the Mountaineers have a good chance to challenge the Cyclones and give them a tough competition.
ESPN’s Football Power Index suggests that WVU has a 35% probability of emerging victorious in this matchup.
Residents of the Mountain State can now effortlessly place bets on WVU or any college football match, thanks to the availability of five online sports betting apps for download.
OU Game Postponed
The Mountaineers will wrap up their year by playing against Oklahoma in Morgantown after this weekend’s game. While the game is scheduled for Dec. 12, the start time has not been determined yet.
Oklahoma’s inaugural game impacted by the coronavirus, marking a significant milestone.
Assuming everything goes as intended, the Sooners are set to go up against Baylor this Saturday, following some schedule adjustments. However, it’s important to note that there is still a chance that OU may not be able to participate in this upcoming game.
At the start of the week, OU head coach Lincoln Riley expressed uncertainty about the possibility of this game taking place, as reported by The Oklahoman. Riley stated on Monday that he had reservations.
We have an opportunity, but it remains uncertain. I cannot confidently say whether I am optimistic or pessimistic at this point. It’s simply the current approach – navigating through the week and observing the outcome.
As there have been no additional negative updates this week, it seems likely that the Sooners’ game will proceed. Hopefully, this is true, allowing the Mountaineers to conclude their regular season next weekend.
There have been some rumors circulating in college football that coach Brown from WVU may be pursued by other schools.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reportedly informed a Charlotte radio station that Brown’s name has come up in discussions for the South Carolina position.
Will Muschamp was recently dismissed by the Gamecocks following a five-year tenure.
It is prudent to acknowledge that there are currently no rumors emerging from Brown’s corner. Nevertheless, when an SEC team expresses interest, individuals tend to take notice.
Although South Carolina may currently not have a stronger football program, it undeniably belongs to a more influential football conference.
From a football perspective, it would be reasonable for Brown to consider a potential move. However, financially speaking, it may not be the most favorable decision. If he were to depart for another position before December 31st, he would be obligated to pay WVU a sum of $4 million. This amount decreases slightly to $3.5 million after the start of the New Year.
Although it appears unlikely that Brown will leave town soon, there is a chance that he may receive an early extension from the Mountaineers. Despite having a record of only 10-10, it is evident that he is improving the program, and this has not gone unnoticed by others.
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