The WVU Mountaineers had a challenging week as they played their first Big 12 game of the 2020 season. Despite having more total yards than the Oklahoma State Cowboys, WVU suffered a 27-13 defeat on Saturday.
With eight conference games still on the schedule, the Mountaineers’ loss brings their record down to 1-1.
Despite Oklahoma State improving to 2-0, it experienced another drop in the rankings, falling two spots to No. 17.
WVU’s slow start proved to be their downfall, as coach Neal Brown’s side found themselves in an early deficit.
WVU started off with some yard gains in their initial five offensive possessions, but unfortunately, they concluded with three punts and two fumbles. This allowed the Cowboys to establish a 17-0 lead in the first half, which ultimately proved insurmountable for WVU.
The outcome of this game was heavily influenced by penalties and turnovers, with WVU struggling in both areas.
Oklahoma State had a total of 12 penalties, resulting in 106 yards, while committing five fewer fouls than their opponent, with just 65 yards.
The two fumbles committed by the Mountaineers in the first half posed a significant issue. These turnovers resulted in a total of 10 points being scored against them, which notably included a 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown during the second quarter.
WVU, despite appearing to dominate the game, found the outcome difficult to accept. Despite gaining more yards, converting more first downs, and winning the time of possession, they were unable to secure a victory.
After the defeat, the team needs to swiftly shift its focus to the upcoming matchup against the Baylor Bears. This Saturday, the Mountaineers will host the Bears in Morgantown for another home game.
Sportsbooks in West Virginia are once again bustling with activity as the Mountaineers and college football betting have made a comeback.
We should revisit WVU’s initial defeat and anticipate the upcoming weekend’s game against Baylor.
WVU football goes down
Despite falling behind early, the Mountaineers displayed remarkable determination and fought relentlessly throughout the game. Their spirits were lifted when Jarret Doege connected with Winston Wright Jr. for a sensational 70-yard touchdown, bringing them back into the game and igniting hope within the entire team.
With just seconds remaining before halftime, the Cowboys successfully kicked a field goal, securing a commanding 20-7 lead as they entered the break.
The third quarter was defined by the Mountaineers’ defense. OSU’s offensive efforts in the second half yielded three punts and an interception in their first four possessions.
With only a few minutes left in the third quarter, senior Tony Fields II intercepted a pass from the Cowboys’ freshman quarterback, Shane Illingworth.
After an 11-play drive, WVU narrowed the margin to just seven points with another successful field goal by Evan Staley.
Oklahoma State sealed the deal with an impressive 80-yard, 15-play drive, marking the closest the game would come to a competitive finish. Their touchdown extended their lead and solidified their victory, leaving no chance for the opponent to make a comeback.
Although losing is never enjoyable, there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic. The defense performed admirably for the majority of the game, and numerous players on offense showcased their talent.
Despite not throwing an interception, Doege’s completion rate stood at over 54% as he amassed 285 yards and a touchdown. Nevertheless, he did suffer the setback of a costly fumble.
In addition to his impressive touchdown catch, Wright Jr. proved to be the Mountaineers’ top choice on the outside. The sophomore accumulated a notable six catches for a total of 127 yards.
However, Doege’s ball distribution skills were impressive as seven additional players successfully received passes on Saturday.
Leddie Brown had another impressive performance in the running game, accumulating over 100 rushing yards for the second week in a row.
WVU Football vs. Baylor preview
WVU showcased its abundance of talent, yet it became evident that they are unable to surpass numerous critical errors when up against formidable opponents. To secure victories in the Big 12, it is imperative for them to address and rectify these issues.
The Mountaineers are aiming to secure a victory against the Baylor Bears this week, after a recent setback.
The Bears of Baylor secured a comfortable victory over Kansas this past weekend, marking their first win of the year. Dominating the game, Baylor emerged victorious with a remarkable 33-point lead.
Just like Oklahoma State, Baylor is expected to heavily rely on their running game. In their first game, the team rushed the ball over 40 times and gained over 200 yards.
John Lovett, a senior, took charge as he rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown, carrying the ball 17 times.
Charlie Brewer, the Bears’ quarterback, exhibits his prowess in the ground game as well, evidenced by his eight rushing attempts during the game against Kansas.
Baylor is recognized for their ability to stretch the field and pass the ball effectively. In the previous week, Brewer successfully completed over 65% of his passes to seven different receivers.
Although Trestan Ebner topped all Bears in receiving yards, his impact on the game was even more significant through his contributions on special teams.
After his defense successfully forced a safety, Ebner added an 83-yard touchdown to his name, following his initial 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Ebner’s impressive performance on Saturday, with both rushing and receiving touchdowns, resulted in him scoring a total of four times. WVU should definitely keep a close watch on him.
Pacing the Baylor defense is junior linebacker Terrel Bernard on the opposing side of the ball.
In the initial game, he proved to be a formidable threat as he dominated the field with a remarkable performance. Bernard led the team with a remarkable eight total tackles, showcasing his exceptional skills. Additionally, he contributed 3.5 tackles for loss, which included an impressive 2.5 sacks.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the upcoming game is predicted to be highly competitive, with West Virginia University being given approximately a 47% probability of securing victory.
College football betting odds at WV sportsbooks
The consensus among WV sportsbooks is that this game is expected to be closely contested until the end.
There are numerous online sports betting apps available for the crowd of WV sports betting enthusiasts to select from.
- DraftKings WV Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM Sportsbook WV
- William Hill Sportsbook
- betly Sportsbook
All of these mobile platforms provide betting odds for this weekend’s college football games, including the match between WVU and Baylor.
Currently, the odds for Saturday’s game displayed on DraftKings are as follows:
- The moneyline for WVU is +125 with a point spread of +3.
- The Baylor team is favored by 3 points and the moneyline odds are -152.
- Over 53.5 (-110)
- Under 53.5 (-110)
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