The Oklahoma Sooners travel east to Morgantown to play the West Virginia Mountaineers in a major BIG-12 match-up with conference title implications on the line. The contest takes place on Saturday, November 19th at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised on the ABC Network. As of this preview, the Sooners are -2.5 point favorites and the game’s total is 67.
The race for the BIG-12 title is now down to three teams. Two of them will match-up in West Virginia on Saturday night. This game should have all the fixings of a barn burner. Everyone has been chasing Oklahoma, which has bounced back from early season woes to the tune of seven consecutive wins.
The Mountaineers have only one defeat, but it was to Oklahoma State. As a result, must defend their home ground at Milan Puskar Stadium to remain a contender. If West Virginia wins their next three contests and the Cowboys lose one, the Mountaineers will capture their first-ever BIG-12 championship.
#9 Oklahoma (8-2):
A lot of credit has to go to coach Bob Stoops for an in-season turnaround after his school was beat down at home by Ohio State. Since then, the offense has been unstoppable with Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook becoming the best quarterback to wide receiver combo in the nation.
Baker Mayfield has been spectacular in 2016, leading an offense that ranks 3rd in the country in total yards and ninth in points scored. Overall, the Sooner signal-caller has completed 213 passes for over 3,200 yards with 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions on the season.
Running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine have helped the Sooners to balance their offensive attack. The teammates have combined for 245 carries and over 1,500 yards. They also have earned 14 trips to the promised land for Oklahoma. Both will be suited-up and ready to roll in this one.
Wide receiver Dede Westbrook has become the best receiver in the BIG-12. Baker Mayfield’s favorite target, has caught 68 passes for 1,254 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. Also, the talented wide out just doesn’t dink and dunk defenses down the field. This year, Westbrook is averaging over 18 yards a catch.
The Oklahoma run defense has actually been decent, thanks to linebackers Jordan Evans and Emmanuel Beal. Together, they have the Sooners ranked 30th in the country against the run. On the other hand, the nation’s 121st ranked secondary is a liability that’s allowed 26 touchdown passes and 297 yards a game.
#14 West Virginia (8-1):
The Mountaineers did take an important step in last week’s win over Texas, but it’s not as if the team dominated the Longhorns by any stretch of the imagination. On the contrary, West Virginia was out-gained, 536-383. To make things worse, quarterback Skyler Howard served-up three interceptions.
Through the first nine games, Skylar Howard has completed just under 200 passes for 2,562 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Howard will have a chance to pad those numbers this week against one of the country’s worst secondaries.
West Virginia likes to keep their offensive attack balanced. Tail backs Justin Crawford and Rushel Shell do just that, accumulating just over 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns. Skyler Howard has pitched in with another 274 yards and a team-high six score over the ground.
Wide outs Daikiel Shorts and Shelton Gibson have stepped-up for the passing attack of the Mountaineers. Together, the two talented youngsters have 86 catches for well over 1,400 yards and 10 scores. Gibson likes the long ball, leading the team with a 20 yards per catch average.
The West Virginia defense can give up some yardage on occasions but batten-down the hatches in the red zone. The Mountaineers are 19th in the nation allowing only 20.9 points per game. Also, the front seven does okay against running backs, allowing only 156 yards a game which is 51st in the country.
Trends and Notes:
The Sooners are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 conference games.
The Mountaineers are 4-11 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Under is 4-1 in the Sooners last 5 games overall.
The Under is 13-4 in the Mountaineers last 17 home games.
The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the two schools.
Game Prediction:
Oklahoma is one of the hottest teams in the nation entering this contest against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Offensively, they have found their groove and are putting up points in bunches. The Sooners 121st secondary will surely be tested in Morgantown, with two very talented wide outs taking the field.
West Virginia has only one defeat in 2016, and because of the quality of teams they have been facing they are still ranked below Oklahoma. This is a must win for the Mountaineers if they have any hope of playing for a BIG-12 title.
The Mountaineers faced one ranked team in 2016, and they lost to them. That may not matter to some, but it matters when your facing the likes of Baker Mayfield and company on Saturday night. Boob Stoop’s troops are rolling and West Virginia’s bend but not break defense won’t cut it in this one.
Yes, the Mountaineers will find their fair share of trips to the end zone. More than likely against that horrible pass coverage unit. A shoot-out looks like it’s inevitable here and that means that the Sooners have the advantage. Take Oklahoma to cover the -2.5 and if your feeling froggy, lay some more of that cash on the over 67.
