In a matchup that showcases two teams ranked in the Top 15 nationally, the No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers (+2) are facing off against their conference counterpart Texas Longhorns (-2) at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium/Jamail Field. This key afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and FOX will showcase the action.
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Texas Longhorns Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big 12 game, Texas has been tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 2 points. The Mountaineers are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Longhorns are -120. This Big 12 matchup should provide several decent live betting opportunities, and oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 58.5 points.
The game’s opening line was -3. The over/under has yet to move after it was set initially at 58.5.
The Mountaineers have recorded 1.6 units so far and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 3-4. The Longhorns are up 0.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-5 ATS and own an even O/U record of 4-4.
The Mountaineers have gone 6-1 straight up (SU), including 4-1 SU against Big 12 opponents. The Longhorns are 6-2 SU overall and are also 4-1 SU in conference play.
The Mountaineers are coming off a resounding 58-14 victory over Baylor last week. Will Grier completed 17-of-27 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns. Alec Sinkfield (26 rushing yards on seven attempts) led the running attack while David Sills V (five receptions, 139 yards, two TDs) and Gary Jennings Jr. (three catches, 100 yards, two TDs) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Texas narrowly fell 38-35 to Oklahoma State. Sam Ehlinger completed 22-of-42 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Keaontay Ingram (52 rushing yards on 11 attempts) and the signal-caller Ehlinger (47 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) led the running game as Collin Johnson (five receptions, 65 yards) and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (four catches, 69 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Each of these squads has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. West Virginia’s run the ball on 50.5 percent of its offensive possessions while Texas has a rush percentage of 52.2. The Mountaineers have produced 148 rush yards/game (including 126 per game versus Big 12 opponents) and have nine touchdowns on the ground this year. The Longhorns are putting up 154 rush yards per game (138 in conference) and have 14 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Mountaineers could own the edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs has generated 4.5 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.6 YPC to opponents. The Longhorns have recorded 3.9 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 3.7 to opponents.
The Mountaineers offensive scheme has logged 331 yards per contest in the air overall (311 per game versus conference opposition) and has 26 passing TDs so far. The Longhorns have put up 255 pass yards per outing (261.8 against Big 12 competition) and have 15 total pass scores.
Defensively, West Virginia appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 133 yards and pass for 217 yards per game. The Texas defense has allowed 245.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 133.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Mountaineers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.97 to opposing QBs, while the Longhorns have given up a 5.97 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Grier is already up to 2,172 yards this season. He’s completed 70 percent of his 204 attempts with 24 passing scores and only six interceptions. He’s got a sparkling 10.68 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 8.26 over the last two games.
In the other locker room, Sam Ehlinger has completed 154-of-244 passes for 1,782 yards, 13 TDs and two INTs. Ehlinger’s ANY/A stands at 7.42 for the year and 7.38 across his past two games.
When these two teams faced each other a year ago, Texas won by two touchdowns 28-14.
RELATED: Week 10 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: West Virginia Mountaineers at Texas Longhorns
SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The O/U for West Virginia’s last game was set at 67. The over cashed in the team’s 58-14 victory over Baylor.
As a team, West Virginia has rushed for 4.1 yards per attempt over its last three outings and 3.7 over its last two.
Texas has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.1 over its past two.
Both teams have lost three fumbles this year.
Over its last three contests, West Virginia is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Texas’ last match going into it was 59.5. The over cashed in the 38-35 defeat to Oklahoma State.
Over its last three matchups, Texas is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Mountaineers offense has registered nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Longhorns have put up four such plays.
The West Virginia defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Texas has given up 10 such plays.
The West Virginia offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Texas has created four such runs.
The Mountaineers defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Longhorns have given up eight such runs.
The West Virginia defensive unit has 16 sacks on the year while Texas has 15.
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