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When Texas and West Virginia have met on the field the last couple of years, there's been one certainty...it's been an entertaining matchup. This year's game takes place in Austin, with NCAAF expert picks having the Mountaineers as the favorite to go on the road and win the game. WVU is coming off of a heartbreaking defeat to TCU at home last weekend so they will be looking to rebound. Texas is coming off of a win on the road against Texas Tech so they have some built up confidence to take down the Mountaineers, who have been playing good football lately. The Longhorns have had trouble winning at home lately so they will have to solve that issue quickly if they hope to take down the Mountaineers.
West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett had another solid performance against a stingy TCU defense. If it weren't for conservative playcalling at the end of the game by coach Dana Holgorsen, then the outcome could have been different. The task doesn't get much easier from an offensive standpoint for the Mountaineers since Texas boasts one of the best defenses in the conference. The Longhorn faithful will be rowdy since the games have always come down to the wire between these two teams. Trickett will have to play smart since the Texas defense can force turnovers in a hurry. The WVU offense turned the ball over five times in the loss to TCU, but still had a great chance to win the game. If they cut out some of the turnovers, then we could be looking at a top-15 ranked team right now.
Texas' win over Texas Tech just proved that the Red Raiders are in worse shape than the Longhorns. Malcolm Brown had a big game rushing the ball against one of the worst run defenses in the nation. Texas followed the blueprint that other teams set for beating Tech and executed it to perfection. Now they will switch gears and face a West Virginia team that has played some of the best competition in the league and nation competitively. The Mountaineers defense is a little underrated so they will be pressuring Tyrone Swoopes all game in hopes to force him to make mistakes. The Longhorns offense is still trying to find its identity. At this point in the season, they just need to get a win however they can to give the younger guys some confidence going into next season.
In the two matchups since West Virginia joined the Big 12, the road team has won the game. The Mountaineers are expected to continue that trend this weekend in Austin, but the Longhorns are due for a big win. Coach Charlie Strong hasn't had a signature win yet so this weekend could give him that opportunity. Holgorsen struggled in his first two years in the conference and now we are seeing Strong do the same. If it's any consolation prize for Texas fans, they should view the improved Mountaineers as what they can be in the next year or two. Texas will keep this one close most of the game with their defense, but the offense will struggle to score and eventually wear down their defense.
NCAAF predictions for today:
West Virginia 27
Texas 17
West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett had another solid performance against a stingy TCU defense. If it weren't for conservative playcalling at the end of the game by coach Dana Holgorsen, then the outcome could have been different. The task doesn't get much easier from an offensive standpoint for the Mountaineers since Texas boasts one of the best defenses in the conference. The Longhorn faithful will be rowdy since the games have always come down to the wire between these two teams. Trickett will have to play smart since the Texas defense can force turnovers in a hurry. The WVU offense turned the ball over five times in the loss to TCU, but still had a great chance to win the game. If they cut out some of the turnovers, then we could be looking at a top-15 ranked team right now.
Texas' win over Texas Tech just proved that the Red Raiders are in worse shape than the Longhorns. Malcolm Brown had a big game rushing the ball against one of the worst run defenses in the nation. Texas followed the blueprint that other teams set for beating Tech and executed it to perfection. Now they will switch gears and face a West Virginia team that has played some of the best competition in the league and nation competitively. The Mountaineers defense is a little underrated so they will be pressuring Tyrone Swoopes all game in hopes to force him to make mistakes. The Longhorns offense is still trying to find its identity. At this point in the season, they just need to get a win however they can to give the younger guys some confidence going into next season.
In the two matchups since West Virginia joined the Big 12, the road team has won the game. The Mountaineers are expected to continue that trend this weekend in Austin, but the Longhorns are due for a big win. Coach Charlie Strong hasn't had a signature win yet so this weekend could give him that opportunity. Holgorsen struggled in his first two years in the conference and now we are seeing Strong do the same. If it's any consolation prize for Texas fans, they should view the improved Mountaineers as what they can be in the next year or two. Texas will keep this one close most of the game with their defense, but the offense will struggle to score and eventually wear down their defense.
NCAAF predictions for today:
West Virginia 27
Texas 17