This week’s matchup between the West Virginia Mountaineers (6-4) and the Iowa State Cyclones (3-8) will give the Mountaineers a chance to continue their three-game winning streak. This game will feature the Big 12’s second-leading rusher, Mike Warren (1,265 yards, 5 TDs). With this week’s game, West Virginia has the chance to maintain its recent level of success. The team has won three of its last four. Players will take the field Saturday, Nov 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET and the game will air on FS1.
West Virginia blew out Kansas 49-0 last week. Rushel Shell had a big game on the ground in the win, gaining 108 yards and two TDs on 14 carries. Wendell Smallwood had a big game as well, totaling 115 rushing yards and two TDs on 18 attempts. Iowa State didn’t have the same success as West Virginia, losing a close one to Kansas State 38-35. Allen Lazard had an outstanding performance for the Cyclones, registering five receptions for 87 yards and two TDs. Mike Warren also had a big day, contributing 195 rushing yards and a TD on 22 attempts.
West Virginia is a 13-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable.
While the Mountaineers have a good Straight Up (SU) record this season (6-4), they’ve played below expectations with a 4-6 record Against The Spread (ATS). In the past five games, West Virginia is 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. The West Virginia run game is productive, currently ranking 10th in the nation with 244.4 rushing yards per game. As for the West Virginia defense, there are important areas to keep an eye on. When it comes to defending the pass, West Virginia is one of the best in the country, only giving up a completion percentage of 52.9%. The Cyclones need to watch out for West Virginia’s tenacious defense. It averages the second-most turnovers with 2.6 per game. Based on its tendencies, the Iowa State defense will probably make it easy on the Mountaineers right from the first whistle. The Cyclones allow their opponents an average of 9.1 points in the first 15 minutes.
Across the field, the Cyclones have 3-8 SU and 6-5 ATS records this season. In the previous five games, Iowa State is 1-4 SU, but is 4-1 ATS. The Mountaineers may be catching the Cyclones at the wrong time. They have found their groove on the ground, averaging 214.2 rushing yards during the past five games. Prepare to see a lot of yellow flags flying around when the Mountaineers are playing. They are one of the most penalized teams in the nation with 7.4 calls per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia
Notes
West Virginia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of West Virginia’s last 19 games.
West Virginia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of West Virginia’s last 10 games at home.
Iowa State is 3-2 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. West Virginia is 6-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
The West Virginia defense has forced an average of 2.6 turnovers per game this season. Iowa State is only 2-4 SU when turning the ball over at least 2.0 times in a game.
The West Virginia rushing attack is ranked 10th in the nation, while the Iowa State run defense is only ranked 85th. The Cyclones rushing game is ranked 45th, compared to the 80th-ranked run defense of the Mountaineers.
