The WVU Mountaineers have participated in three games so far that were determined by a margin of six points or less. Regrettably, their recent match against Oklahoma on Saturday did not end in their favor. They were defeated by the Sooners with a last-second field goal, resulting in a final score of 16-13.
Although WVU football fans would have been satisfied with this outcome before the game, it ultimately turned out to be incredibly disappointing. The team maintained a lead throughout the entire contest and only fell behind once the clock reached zero.
For the most part, the game was dominated by defense, as both teams’ offenses struggled to generate any substantial production.
In a game with limited possessions, WVU and OU collectively punted eight times and experienced a few turnovers.
Similar to previous games this season, the Mountaineers’ offense experienced a slump in the second half. They only managed to score three points and allowed OU to remain competitive.
Apart from the match against Long Island, WVU has only managed to score a mere nine points in the second halves of their games this year. The offense failed to produce a single touchdown in the six quarters played against Maryland, Virginia Tech, and OU.
West Virginia sportsbooks witnessed an effortless victory for WVU backers, providing a silver lining amidst Saturday’s defeat.
Depending on the timing of your wager, the point spread for the game was set at a minimum of +17. However, the Mountaineers came very close to winning the game outright, which would have resulted in even greater rewards for bettors.
Before the game started, the odds for their moneyline were approximately +550.
Now, let’s examine the missed opportunity in Norman and analyze how WVU compares to Texas Tech for their upcoming match this weekend.
WVU Football Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Mountaineers Can’t Close Out Sooners
When it comes to offensive game plans, Head coach Neal Brown and the rest of the staff are definitely well-prepared.
The Mountaineers have scored a touchdown on their opening possession for the fourth consecutive week.
The drive on Saturday night was truly remarkable. The Mountaineers managed to score a touchdown by marching 75 yards in 17 plays. Not only did they consume over nine minutes of playtime, but they also gained an early lead.
Despite generating a significant amount of optimism, WVU failed to secure an additional touchdown throughout the entire night.
Casey Legg successfully netted field goals for the team on the only two occasions it managed to move the ball. Despite both drives reaching Oklahoma’s 10-yard line, the offense failed to make a crucial breakthrough.
The drive during the latter part of the third quarter was particularly excruciating.
WVU found themselves in a second-and-goal scenario, positioned only a yard away from the end zone. However, a false start penalty resulted in a setback of five yards.
In the second down, quarterback Garrett Greene rushed for a mere two yards. However, on the subsequent third down, Jarret Doege’s pass attempt failed to connect, resulting in an incomplete pass. The inability to reach the end zone in this situation proved to be of utmost importance.
After that point, the offense accumulated a mere 25 yards.
Oklahoma capitalized on two extensive drives, enabling them to tie and ultimately secure the victory in the game. Led by Spencer Rattler and the offense, they executed possessions consisting of 16 and 14 plays respectively, clinching their narrowest triumph of the season.
OU improves to 4-0 and maintains their position as leaders in the Big 12 Conference. WVU, on the other hand, now holds a 2-2 record and aims to secure their first conference win this week on their home turf.
Doege demonstrated efficiency in his passing game, completing approximately 69% of his attempts. However, most of his passes were limited to the line of scrimmage. In the end, he only managed to accumulate 160 yards and unfortunately threw an interception.
OU’s defense dominated the field, causing trouble for WVU in their offensive attempts. The Mountaineers could only manage a meager 67 yards in total rushing. Despite their efforts, both Leddie Brown and Greene, who led the team in rushing, averaged less than 3.8 yards per carry.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Winston Wright Jr. showcased impressive performances, collectively amassing 15 receptions, accumulating more than 155 yards.
WVU Vs. Texas Tech Preview
WVU, with a 3-1 record, is expected to have a favorable outcome against Texas Tech this Saturday. This bodes well for both their offense and defense, as they anticipate increased success on both sides of the ball.
Tech had a successful start to the season, winning its first three meetings. However, their luck took a turn for the worse last week when they were defeated by Texas with a disappointing score of 70-35, being doubled up in points.
Although the Red Raiders are expected to be more competitive, it is evident that they are not on the same level as the top teams in the conference.
The WVU defense, continuing from last year, is performing exceptionally well, which is incredibly encouraging. Currently, they hold the 25th position in the nation for the fewest points allowed per game, with an impressive average of only 16.8.
This week, both seniors Sean Mahone and Josh Chandler-Semedo achieved a minimum of 10 tackles. Additionally, the team managed to secure four sacks. In the game against OU, Taijh Alston contributed two more sacks, bringing his total to 3.5 sacks in the past two weeks.
However, the defense will be challenged by an opponent that has managed to score points consistently this season. Texas Tech has recorded a minimum of 28 points in each game, showcasing their offensive prowess with an impressive 54-point performance against FIU.
Nevertheless, the team will be lacking its starting quarterback in the foreseeable future as Junior Tyler Shough suffered a broken collarbone, leaving him sidelined for over a month.
Although it may not contribute to the Red Raiders’ future success, there is a glimmer of hope as senior Henry Colombi displayed an impressive performance when he replaced the Longhorns.
In relief, he managed to complete 17 out of 23 passes, resulting in 324 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite Tech’s loss of a quarterback, there is potential for the team to regain a running back this week. Last week, sophomore Tahj Brooks was unable to play due to a leg injury, but he may be making a comeback this Saturday.
In just three games, he has managed to accumulate an impressive 284 yards and four touchdowns, maintaining an outrageous average of 8.1 yards per carry.
Betting On WVU-Texas Tech
At 3:30 p.m. EST, the Mountaineers return to Morgantown for their game.
DraftKings Sportsbook West Virginia is currently offering a point spread of -7 for the Mountaineers, with a possibility of further increase. Presently, the odds for West Virginia to cover the spread are at -120, while Texas Tech is receiving a +7 at +100.
If you want to bet on WVU to win outright, you can find it at -305 odds, while Tech is listed at +240 odds.
The game total for this week’s WVU contest is in line with most of their previous games, currently set at 56 points by DraftKings.
If you’re thinking about choosing the Mountaineers, it’s important to take into account their performance in the opening half. WVU excels at scoring early in games and is only giving a 4-point advantage for the first two quarters.
For the first half, bettors have the option to place their bets on either WVU’s moneyline at -235 or the Red Raiders at +190.
Related Articles
