The West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners meet Saturday in college football action from OU Memorial Stadium. West Virginia last appeared in a matchup versus BYU over the weekend. In that game the 6-3 Mountaineers bagged a blowout victory. As for Oklahoma, they’re coming off a road game against Oklahoma State. The Sooners ended up losing a close one to drop to 7-2 overall. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia faced some tough teams over their first eight outings this year but still managed to win five of them. During that time the Mountaineers scored a solid 30.6 points per game on average, with 10 touchdowns, four interceptions and 197.8 yards per game via the pass. West Virginia was very effective on the ground with 203.3 yards per game and 21 scores rushing.
In their weekend game versus BYU, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead and kept the pressure on from there in a 37-7 blowout win. Garrett Greene posted 205 yards with a pair of passing scores, but Jahiem White (146 yards) and CJ Donaldson (102 yards; 2 TDs) did the bulk of the offensive work on the ground.
West Virginia Mountaineers Team Facts
- West Virginia has lost 24 of its last 25 games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams.
- West Virginia has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 November games against AP-ranked teams.
- West Virginia has lost the first half in six of its last seven road games against conference opponents.
- West Virginia has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
- Each of West Virginia’s last four games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma Sooners
Over on the Sooners’ side, they opened up with seven straight wins this year before taking a loss to Kansas on October 28. Oklahoma scored great during that run however, averaging 41.9 points per game with 44 total touchdowns. The Sooners posted a 308.9 yards-per-game average with 21 TDs and four interceptions through the air, and added 20 more TDs and 180.9 yards per game rushing.
Back on Saturday versus Oklahoma State, the Sooners gave up 10 points in both the second and fourth quarters during a tough loss 27-24. Dillon Gabriel finished with 344 yards, one TD and one interception, and Gavin Sawchuk led the rush with 111 yards and a score. Drake Stoops had a great day in the loss with 12 catches for 134 yards and a TD of his own.
Oklahoma Sooners Team Facts
- Oklahoma has won 14 of its last 15 home games in November.
- Oklahoma has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four November games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Oklahoma has won the first half in 31 of its last 36 games against conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Oklahoma has won the first quarter in each of its last three home games against conference opponents.
- Seven of Oklahoma’s last nine November home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Oklahoma rank 8th among FBS teams for points per game this season (39.9).
- Oklahoma are one of only 27 FBS teams undefeated in home games this season ([z-0]).
- West Virginia rank 40th among FBS teams for points per game this season (31.4).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with Oklahoma in this one. The Sooners need a good bounce-back effort after a demoralizing road loss versus Oklahoma State, though. Oklahoma coughed up three turnovers with eight penalties in that defeat while giving up 480 yards (334 passing) and 27 first downs on the other side. It was the Sooners’ worst scoreboard result since posting just 20 points versus Cincinnati on September 23.
As for West Virginia, they didn’t have too many issues in their last matchup versus BYU. The Mountaineers bagged 567 yards (336 rushing) with 30 first downs in the win, but also committed 10 penalties and went just 3-of-10 on third downs. West Virginia has 34 or more points in four straight games, so it’s going to take a big defensive effort to keep them in check here. I think Oklahoma can do it, though.
