The WVU Mountaineers and bettors in the Mountain State had a disappointing weekend as they suffered a loss to Texas in Morgantown, with a final score of 42-31. This defeat came after two consecutive wins.
The outcome likely left many disappointed individuals at West Virginia sportsbooks. Despite the Mountaineers being given a 10.5-point advantage, their 11-point loss resulted in a significant number of bets placed on WVU being unsuccessful.
The betting figures from this past weekend are yet to be released by the West Virginia Lottery. However, the latest report reveals that despite no increase in the overall handle compared to last week, there was a commendable performance with over $6.5 million in bets.
The slight lag in WV sports betting growth could potentially be attributed to the absence of a WVU game. It will be intriguing to observe the impact of the WVU vs. Texas game on the betting books once it becomes accessible next week.
The resurgence of online sports betting apps in WV has led to a thriving market. Within a brief span, both DraftKings Sportsbook WV and FanDuel Sportsbook have garnered immense popularity in the state.
As the college football season progresses, it is crucial for every online sportsbook to expand its offerings. This weekend, the Mountaineers will make a comeback on the gridiron, seeking to bounce back against Iowa State in a home game.
Looking back at the previous week’s match against Texas, let’s analyze the mistakes made and provide a betting preview for the upcoming Week 7 clash between WVU and ISU.
WVU football can’t cover
Despite being considered sizable underdogs, coach Neal Brown and WVU did not let it affect their performance. They quickly proved their strength by scoring an impressive 44-yard touchdown pass from Austin Kendall to Sam James after receiving the opening kickoff.
The crowd at Milan Puskar Stadium went wild as soon as the opening score occurred.
The following possession by the Longhorns proved to be even more fortunate for WVU. With a solid defense, the Mountaineers held strong after a 16-play drive, ultimately forcing Texas to make a lengthy field-goal attempt.
After Cameron Dicker failed to make the 42-yarder, there seemed to be a genuine opportunity for WVU to successfully execute the upset. However, that fleeting hope vanished in an instant.
Immediately after, Kendall made a costly mistake by throwing a poor interception into zone coverage. Just two plays later, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger managed to throw his first touchdown pass of the game, resulting in a tie score of seven points each.
Despite the Mountaineers scoring the subsequent touchdown, Texas maintained a 21-14 lead at halftime.
Although the Mountaineers managed to keep the game close until the third quarter, their chances of winning on Saturday were hindered by numerous mistakes. Kendall’s three interceptions in the second half proved costly, allowing Texas to score multiple times.
While fans and bettors may feel frustrated with the transfer quarterback’s performance, coach Brown offered a different perspective on the matter, as reported by WV MetroNews.
“When things go well, quarterbacks often receive an excessive amount of credit, and when things don’t go as planned, they are unfairly burdened with too much blame. It’s important to acknowledge that Austin Kendall played a significant role in keeping us in the game offensively. I have complete faith in that young individual and hold no negative opinions about him whatsoever.”
Despite his negligence with turnovers, Kendall managed to throw for 367 passing yards and three touchdowns. Once again, the team struggled to rush for more than 100 yards, placing the responsibility on Kendall to create opportunities and make impactful plays.
With an 11-point victory, Texas emerged triumphant, leaving the Mountaineers defeated and causing numerous WVU football supporters to reassess their bets.
WVU football predictions
After the loss, WVU’s overall record stands at 3-2 (1-1 in conference) as they get ready to face the Iowa State Cyclones at home this week. The upcoming game poses another challenging matchup for the Mountaineers, given that sportsbooks have labeled them as 10-point underdogs.
Iowa State, with a record that may not reflect its true strength, will journey to Morgantown. Their close defeats came from in-state rival Iowa by a single point and unbeaten Baylor on the road by a mere two points. Despite their 3-2 standing, many teams across the country would face challenges in defeating the current formidable Iowa team.
In a dominant display, the Cyclones effortlessly triumphed over TCU, securing a resounding 49-24 victory last week. Quarterback Brock Purdy played a pivotal role, excelling in both passing and rushing yards. With an impressive 247 yards through the air and an additional 102 on the ground, Purdy contributed immensely to the team’s success, scoring a total of four touchdowns throughout the day.
Throughout the season, the second-year player has amassed an impressive total of over 1,500 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, with an incredibly low count of only two interceptions. Additionally, he has emerged as the top rusher for Iowa State, contributing an additional 203 yards and 5 touchdowns to the team’s offensive prowess.
Just like Texas relies on Ehlinger, WVU’s strategy hinges on containing Purdy.
Senior Deshaunte Jones is Purdy’s go-to receiver downfield, leading the team with 17 more receptions than any other player. With an impressive 37 catches, he ranks 13th among all college football players this year.
The offensive line of the Mountaineers will have to make an effort to impede the progress of linebacker O’Rien Vance on the opposing team. Throughout the season, Vance has accumulated 34 tackles and an impressive 6.5 sacks.
While Iowa State may not be as strong as Texas, WVU can expect a challenging game. Following the disappointment and anticipation of last week’s tough defeat, it remains to be seen how much energy the Mountaineers have left for this upcoming match.
In the event that WVU brings their best game, they have a good chance of not only covering the spread but also potentially securing a surprising victory. Conversely, if they lack energy and motivation, the Cyclones will likely dominate the game, scoring points consistently throughout the afternoon. It is our hope that coach Brown will effectively prepare his team to be competitive and ready to face the challenge.
WVU football odds
The odds for this week’s game, as provided by the two online sportsbooks available in West Virginia, namely DraftKings and FanDuel, are as follows (last updated on October 11, 2019, including the current odds for both WVU football and Marshall).
| Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WVU vs. Iowa State | |||
| DraftKings Sportsbook | WVU +10.5 | 53.5 | WVU +300 ISU -400 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | WVU +10.5 | 53.5 | WVU +300 ISU -390 |
| Marshall vs. Old Dominion | |||
| DraftKings | Marshall -15.5 | 47 | Marshall -835 ODU +550 |
| FanDuel | Marshall -15.5 | 47 | Marshall -740 ODU +520 |
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