This week’s game between the West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0) and the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) looks to be a key matchup as both teams enter this week undefeated. This game will feature the nation’s second-leading passer, Baker Mayfield (1,062 yards, 10 TDs). It starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 3 and will air on FS1.
Oklahoma beat Tulsa 52-38 in their last game. Baker Mayfield had a big game throwing the ball in the win, completing 32 of 38 passes for 487 yards and four TDs. He also ran for 85 yards and two TDs on 13 attempts. Mark Andrews had a big game as well, totaling 87 receiving yards and two TDs on three receptions. West Virginia managed to get the win as well, cruising past Maryland 45-6 in its matchup. Shelton Gibson had an outstanding performance for the Mountaineers, registering six receptions for 118 yards and two TDs. Skyler Howard also had a big day, contributing 294 yards and four TDs through the air.
Oddsmakers have deemed the Oklahoma and West Virginia game as an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently uavailable.
Heading into Week 5 of the college football season, the Sooners are 3-0 Straight Up (SU) and 2-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Sooners have a strong passing game with an average of 14.1 yards per pass, good enough for 22nd in the country.
On the other side, the Mountaineers have a record of 2-1 ATS and 3-0 SU. West Virginia has found a lot of success through the air. Its 323 passing yards per game ranks 18th in Division I. Switching gears to the West Virginia defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Sooners. The Sooners will need to secure the ball against the turnover-minded Mountaineers. Their defense leads the country in forced turnovers with 3.7 per game. There is no feeling-out process to start a game for the Mountaineers, who average 12.3 points in the first quarter.
Predictions: SU Winner – West Virginia, ATS Winner – West Virginia
Notes
Oklahoma is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games.
Oklahoma is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games.
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Oklahoma’s last 23 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma’s last 6 games.
Oklahoma is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home.
West Virginia is 3-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Oklahoma is 2-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Oklahoma is only 3-0 SU this season in games where it loses the turnover battle.
According to overall FBS team rankings, West Virginia is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 31st-ranked rushing attack will face the 54th-ranked run defense of Oklahoma, while its 58th-ranked rush defense will look to contain the 63rd-ranked running game of the Sooners.
