College Football Week 10 Betting Preview: WVU Travels To Undefeated Baylor

Week 10 brings no exception for WVU football as every Big 12 Conference game is consistently fiercely competitive, showcasing the nation’s most skilled teams.

The Mountaineers are up against another challenging opponent this week as they make their way to Waco to take on the undefeated 7-0 Baylor Bears, following their recent matchups against Texas and Oklahoma.

Regrettably, both fans and bettors of WVU football have experienced significant disappointment in 2019. Despite a promising start with a 3-1 record, the Mountaineers have stumbled in their recent three games and are encountering difficulties in gaining momentum within the highly competitive college football conference.

In their first four Big 12 matchups, WVU has only managed to secure a solitary victory. This win, however, came against Kansas, a team that has been consistently considered the least formidable in the conference in recent years.

In contrast, Baylor has had an exceptional beginning to the season. The Bears remain unbeaten and have solidified their position as the sole leaders in the Big 12 after Oklahoma’s defeat this past weekend.

As of now, Baylor is leading the standings as the sole school that has not suffered any defeats within their conference.

After a restful bye week, both teams are set to compete this week. Baylor emerged victorious in their previous match against Oklahoma State, whereas the Mountaineers suffered a loss against OU.

Baylor’s national ranking experienced a boost this weekend, even without competing, as multiple top teams suffered defeats. As a result, Baylor now enters the week as the 12th ranked team in the most recent AP Poll.

Despite being significant underdogs, the Mountaineers are expected to draw a considerable amount of betting action and fans at West Virginia sportsbooks on Thursday night.

Even with the resurgence of online sports betting apps, the Mountaineer Casino’s retail sportsbooks are flourishing during football season.

In this analysis, we will delve into the WVU Halloween night game and explore the most promising betting opportunities.

Baylor can play

In college football, Baylor football has not been typically considered among the top-tier programs. However, this season, the Bears are determined to alter that perception.

Although Oklahoma remains the frontrunner to win the conference, Baylor has positioned itself favorably to potentially challenge them. With no Big 12 losses so far, the Bears have complete control over their destiny this year.

However, their most challenging tests are yet to come. Following the game against WVU, the Bears will embark on a journey to face TCU, and subsequently, they will have the opportunity to host formidable opponents such as Oklahoma and Texas.

Similar to previous Baylor teams, this squad possesses an exceptional ability to accumulate points. The offense showcases a well-rounded approach led by quarterback Charlie Brewer.

Baylor’s roster comprises three players, Brewer included, who have accumulated a minimum of 55 rushes throughout the year. The team’s leading rusher, John Lovett, has amassed an impressive 446 yards on the ground, accompanied by four touchdowns.

The Baylor offense is collectively scoring close to 39 points per game and maintaining an average of nearly 500 yards gained per game.

In order for WVU to have a shot at winning the game outright, a remarkable display from its defense is imperative. The Mountaineers have proven to struggle in matching the scoring pace of many opponents. Thus, it will be the responsibility of the defense to impede Baylor’s progress and maintain a close game.

In addition, it will be vital to disrupt Brewer’s performance. During the game against Oklahoma State, the junior quarterback showcased his skills by completing 13 out of 17 passes for 312 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, he also managed to contribute with a rushing touchdown.

The Bears offense poses a difficult challenge due to its multitude of options. In the previous week, Brewer completed 13 passes to seven different Bears players.

Baylor is bound to score points eventually, but if WVU can make it challenging by forcing lengthy third downs, they might have a fighting chance.

WVU football predictions

Similar to previous weeks, WVU is once again considered a significant underdog by sportsbooks. Most books in the Mountain State are offering odds of WVU receiving 17.5 points.

Despite appearing to be a reasonable point spread, it is actually quite encouraging for the Mountaineers. In their previous game against OU, they were facing a deficit of approximately 33 points.

For WVU to have a chance at covering or winning, they must string together multiple high-quality quarters. Although the team has displayed moments of brilliance in each game, they have struggled to sustain it for the entire 60 minutes.

During the second quarter of the game against Oklahoma, WVU managed to tie the score at 14-14. Surprisingly, the Mountaineers accumulated over half of their total yardage for the entire match solely from their two scoring drives.

Admittedly, it is much simpler to express than to execute, but if coach Neal Brown and WVU manage to maintain that level of performance throughout the entire game, the potential of this team is unpredictable.

With a hopeful outlook, QB Austin Kendall is expected to show better consistency this week. There were doubts regarding his availability for the game against his previous school due to an injury sustained in the last match against Iowa State. However, the week off should have positively contributed to his recovery.

Despite Kendall completing approximately 64% of his passes this season, the offense lacks the ability to generate sufficient explosive plays. WVU’s recent offensive touchdowns have been achieved through extended drives, consisting of 14, 10, and seven plays.

While possession of the ball is crucial for winning football games, it would be beneficial if the offense demonstrated the ability to score rapidly. The lack of fear from opposing defenses regarding deep plays is contributing to WVU’s struggles with its running game.

It is no easy feat to defeat Baylor on their home turf, particularly during a Thursday night game. Considering that both teams have had ample rest prior to this matchup, the Mountaineers will undoubtedly face a formidable challenge in securing a victory.

Although achieving a win may seem unlikely, WVU still has the potential to cover the spread. As long as they deliver a solid performance throughout the game, their talent should enable them to stay within a 17-point margin of Baylor.

In terms of the overall score, sportsbooks have set the total at approximately 56 points. If you have confidence in the Mountaineers’ ability to keep the game close, betting on the under might be a wise choice.

In order for WVU to remain competitive, they must effectively defend against the Bears’ offensive strategies and prevent this match from turning into a high-scoring affair. Although it is not a common choice in most Big 12 games, betting on the under could potentially yield profits for bettors in the upcoming week.

WV college football betting odds

On Thursday, WVU will make their way to Texas, specifically Mclane Stadium, to face Baylor. Similarly, the Marshall Thundering Herd will also travel to the Lone Star State for their encounter with the Rice Owls on Saturday.

As of October 31st, the current odds according to West Virginia’s two online sportsbooks are as follows:

• DraftKings WV Sportsbook  
• FanDuel Sportsbook