The WVU Mountaineers had a promising start to the 2020 season, surpassing expectations. However, their hopes of achieving a 4-1 record were dashed last Saturday as they suffered their second defeat of the year against Texas Tech.
Zech McPhearson of the Red Raiders seized the opportunity when Sam James fumbled, returning it 56 yards for a touchdown. This impressive play in the fourth quarter granted his team a lead, and it turned out to be the only score during that period.
Despite having two more possessions before the clock expired, WVU’s offense was unsuccessful in reaching the end zone.
The final score of the game was 34-27, resulting in Texas Tech’s victory.
The Mountaineers, who were favored at West Virginia sportsbooks prior to the game, suffered a challenging defeat. WVU had a spread of approximately -2.5 points.
Moreover, it is worrisome to note the Mountaineers’ defeat, especially when taking into account their upcoming schedule in the Big 12 Conference. The remaining five games are anticipated to be considerably more challenging compared to their initial matchups.
WVU’s rushing attack was effectively contained by Texas Tech, as the Mountaineers’ attempts to run the ball nearly 30 times fell short of reaching the hundred-yard mark on the ground.
Despite scoring two touchdowns, Leddie Brown and Alec Sinkfield both faced difficulties in gaining momentum. Brown managed to accumulate only 77 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Sinkfield was only able to accumulate 11 yards, struggling to find open space.
This week, Coach Neal Brown and his team face a swift recovery task as they prepare to host No. 16 Kansas State in Morgantown. The Wildcats boast an impressive 4-1 record, having secured all four wins within their conference.
In a surprising turn of events, the Mountaineers find themselves as the favored team once more on online sports betting apps in the Mountain State. Despite KSU’s impressive performance, the home team is once again expected to win by a field goal this Saturday.
We should closely analyze WVU’s narrow defeat against Texas Tech and also provide a preview of the upcoming game against the Wildcats this weekend.
Mountaineers fall to 3-2
Despite the difficulty of losing, the game last week was fiercely contested and both teams showed remarkable balance. In fact, a closer examination of the statistics would likely argue that WVU performed exceptionally well throughout the game.
Regrettably, this doesn’t consistently result in victories in collegiate football.
Despite having more total yards, first downs, and winning the time of possession, the Mountaineers’ efforts fell short.
The outcome of close games often hinges on turnovers and impactful plays. In this case, WVU was on the verge of taking the lead, but James’ fumble ultimately made all the difference.
As the Mountaineers approached Tech’s 40-yard line, their attempt at a bubble screen to James did not unfold as anticipated. Despite cleanly catching the ball, WVU’s receiver had it forcefully stripped away while being spun down to the ground.
Immediately after recovering the loose fumble, McPhearson from Texas Tech found an unobstructed route towards the end zone.
Despite scoring 27 points in the first three quarters, WVU failed to generate any points in the fourth quarter.
After the turnover, their drive managed to gain a few first downs, but eventually came to a halt near the 50-yard line.
With less than a minute left, quarterback Jarret Doege and the offense seized their final chance. They advanced all the way to Tech’s 38-yard line. Unfortunately, Doege’s last pass was incomplete as the clock ran out.
The junior quarterback achieved a remarkable season-high of 347 passing yards, although it required 50 attempts to reach that milestone. Doege has now completed two consecutive weeks with a minimum of 300 yards passing.
Although he didn’t perform as effectively as in previous games, Doege showcased his ability to distribute the ball effectively. In this match, a total of ten Mountaineers successfully received his passes.
During WVU’s touchdown drive in the third quarter, Winston Wright Jr., a sophomore, showcased an outstanding performance by catching nine passes for 126 yards, one of which spanned 38 yards.
WVU vs. KSU preview
The Mountaineers are in for another challenging week ahead. Although playing at home might provide some advantage, Kansas State is entering this matchup with a strong sense of confidence.
After suffering a shocking defeat to Arkansas State in their first game, the Wildcats have bounced back impressively. With four consecutive victories in the Big 12, they stand as the sole team in the conference with four wins.
With just three wins, Oklahoma State remains unbeaten in conference play as well.
In the second week of the season, KSU achieved their most notable victory by defeating then-No. 3 Oklahoma. Despite being considered four-touchdown underdogs, the Wildcats emerged triumphant with a 38-35 upset that sent shockwaves through the Big 12.
Despite the fact that every team appears to perform exceptionally well against Kansas, KSU has also managed to secure victories against TCU and Texas Tech.
In the third game of the year, it secured a 31-21 victory against the Red Raiders on its home turf.
Despite the loss of starting quarterback Skylar Thompson to injury, KSU has seamlessly transitioned with Will Howard at the helm without skipping a beat.
The first-year player has a completion rate of slightly less than 60%, accumulating over 550 passing yards and scoring three touchdowns in a pair of games.
With that in mind, it is likely that the Wildcats will prioritize running the ball frequently.
Their top rusher is explosive freshman Deuce Vaughn, who has accumulated more than 300 yards and four touchdowns. Vaughn boasts an impressive average of 5.1 yards per carry across five games.
In addition, Howard poses a threat when it comes to running the football. Remarkably, the quarterback stands as the team’s third highest rusher, having accumulated 116 yards on 25 attempts.
Elijah Sullivan, the senior linebacker, assumes a defensive leadership role at the center of every play. He outperforms all other Wildcat players in both total and solo tackles.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, this weekend’s matchup does not align with the predictions of sportsbooks. Surprisingly, it gives KSU a slight advantage, estimating a 52% chance of winning.
WVU football betting odds
WV residents have expanded options for betting on college football with the introduction of two additional online sportsbooks. The state currently offers a total of five mobile platforms for wagering.
- DraftKings Sportsbook WV
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- BetMGM WV Sportsbook
- William Hill Sportsbook
- betly Sportsbook
Even though the odds usually don’t vary significantly, gamblers in WV have the option to use multiple online sportsbooks to discover the most favorable lines for the games they are interested in.
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