Despite losing the game, the WVU Mountaineers displayed exceptional performance last week, showcasing one of their most complete games of the season. In a hard-fought battle against Baylor on Thursday night, WVU unfortunately came up short with a 17-14 defeat.
The Mountaineers’ record has fallen to 3-5 on the year following their fourth consecutive loss.
Despite falling just short, coach Neal Brown and his team delivered a remarkable performance. Although WVU didn’t secure a victory, they comfortably covered the spread, bringing joy to bettors from the Mountain State.
WVU, considered as over 17-point underdogs, defied expectations in their matchup against the Bears. As the game progressed, it became evident that the Mountaineers had a genuine opportunity to compete.
Despite the offense’s consistent disappointment, WVU’s defense displayed an outstanding performance throughout the entire night. Baylor, who had been averaging around 39 points per game prior to this matchup, was limited to only 17 points.
The Mountaineers experienced a remarkable third quarter, highlighted by a touchdown on a kickoff return. Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events resulted in yet another loss. However, this week proved to be a successful one for those who placed bets on WVU football. As the team heads back to Morgantown, they aim to sustain their impressive performance and maintain their high level of play.
Texas Tech will be visiting WVU this Saturday for their first home game after nearly a month.
In contrast to the previous few games, the Mountaineers have a genuine opportunity to secure a victory in this upcoming match. The Red Raiders, who currently hold a 1-4 Big 12 Conference record in 2019, are in the same position.
Due to the reduced point spread in this game, West Virginia sportsbooks are expected to experience a surge in betting activity. The state’s betting market has been rapidly expanding ever since the introduction of online sports betting apps.
The state’s overall handle for the week of Oct. 26 reached a new record and shows no sign of decline. The upcoming month of college football is expected to sustain the high gambling figures.
Now, let’s closely analyze WVU’s previous game and also discuss the upcoming match with Texas Tech that awaits us this week.
WVU Covers Spread
After a considerable period, the Mountaineers finally rewarded their fans by ensuring some financial gains. Despite a narrow three-point loss to Baylor, the team successfully covered the betting spread without any complications.
In its previous three matches against Oklahoma, Iowa State, and Texas, WVU was unable to cover the number.
Despite the offensive unit’s inability to score any points in the first half, the Mountaineers found solace in their exceptional defense. Holding Baylor’s explosive attack to only seven points in the first half, they kept the team’s hopes alive.
During the third quarter, two significant plays gave hope to the WVU supporters, making them believe an upset was imminent.
In the middle of the quarter, Austin Kendall, the quarterback, delivered an exquisite pass over the top to George Campbell, resulting in an astonishing 83-yard touchdown. This phenomenal strike successfully leveled the game at seven.
Following Charlie Brewer’s second touchdown pass of the night, which put the Bears in the lead, WVU quickly responded. Freshman Winston Wright returned the subsequent kickoff for 95 yards, leveling the game once more.
After Baylor successfully scored a field goal to regain a three-point lead, WVU found themselves in possession of the ball deep within the Bears’ territory during the late stage of the game. Unfortunately, their offensive drive came to a halt, prompting the Mountaineers to call upon kicker Casey Legg in an attempt to even the score.
Legg’s successful 43-yard attempt, with less than four minutes left, seemed promising. However, a costly delay of game penalty proved fatal for WVU. In the subsequent attempt, Baylor’s Bravvion Roy blocked the ball, eliminating any chance for the Mountaineers to force overtime.
Although WVU bettors can find solace in their straightforward victory at the sportsbook, the defeat still leaves a bitter taste.
The Mountaineers made numerous mistakes and struggled on offense throughout the entire game. Collectively, the team only amassed a total of 219 yards and had two turnovers.
Despite WVU’s missed opportunity, they can expect smoother sailing ahead. The remaining four conference games are considerably less challenging compared to the earlier matchups.
WVU Football Predictions
The WVU college football season enters its final stretch with an upcoming home game against the struggling Red Raiders. Similarly, the Red Raiders are also experiencing a losing streak, having lost their previous three matches.
Texas Tech suffered a defeat in its most recent match against the Kansas Jayhawks, with a final score of 37-34. Prior to this game, Kansas had endured a winless streak of 0-5 in conference play.
Texas Tech’s defense had an impressive start by only conceding 13 points in their first two games. However, in the following five games, they have been giving up a minimum of 33 points. This presents a great chance for WVU’s offense to shine this week.
However, the Mountaineers will be required to do so, as the Red Raiders possess exceptional ball efficiency.
Jett Duffey, the current leader of the offense, guides a team that achieves an average of nearly 31 points per game. Stepping in for the injured Alan Bowman, Duffey’s performance has been commendable thus far.
Despite the loss, he managed to throw for 271 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas. Additionally, Duffey showcased his skills as a runner, accumulating 40 yards on six carries against the Jayhawks.
In addition to that, Texas Tech boasts a group of proficient running backs. Among them, SaRodorick Thompson stands out, having amassed 549 yards and eight touchdowns. Notably, he is one of three backs on the team who have exceeded 50 carries this season, maintaining an impressive average of at least 5.2 yards per carry.
In addition, the Red Raiders exhibited excellent ball distribution through the air, as evidenced in their previous game where a whopping 11 players successfully received a pass.
For WVU to give its offense a chance, it will be crucial for its defense to maintain the same level of performance showcased against Baylor.
Despite being considered underdogs, the Mountaineers are only given a small point spread of around two points by sportsbooks. After their near victory in the previous game, it is anticipated that WVU will approach Saturday’s game with determination.
WVU Football Odds
In the challenging Big 12 conference, securing victories is a formidable task. Thus, WVU must leverage their home-field advantage and efficiently handle their responsibilities as they face Texas Tech this week.
The Mountaineers have a good chance of achieving success in their remaining three games, but none of their upcoming opponents are as vulnerable as the current Raiders. Anticipate an intense match, with the vibrant WVU fans inside Milan Puskar Stadium providing enthusiastic support from the beginning till the end.
Bettors in WV have the option to place a bet using either DraftKings or FanDuel, the two mobile sports betting apps. The odds for this weekend’s games can be found on both platforms.
| Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WVU vs. Texas Tech | |||
| DraftKings | WVU +2.5 | 59.5 | WVU +114 Texas Tech -139 |
| FanDuel | WVU +2.5 | 60 | WVU +120 Texas Tech -140 |
The most recent update was on November 7, 2019.
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