The West Virginia Mountaineers and the Virginia Cavaliers meet Saturday in college football action from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Here’s a Virginia vs West Virginia prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Virginia vs West Virginia pick.
West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview
The Mountaineers played a pretty close game versus Coastal Carolina in their opener. WVU was up 24-0 at halftime but had to scramble to power out a 31-24 win in the end. QB Michael Hawkins had 132 pass yards with a TD alongside 103 rush yards and another score. Cam Cook led the runners on 30 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the victory effort.
In game two versus TN-Martin, the Mountaineers didn’t have too many issues. West Virginia secured 21 points in the first quarter and 17 more in the third, scoring in every frame during a 52-7 victory. Hawkins was 5-of-7 for 155 yards and two scores while also leading the rush on six carries for 96 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Virginia Cavaliers Betting Preview
Over on the Virginia side, they opened up their year with a matchup versus NC State. The Cavs jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead, eventually scoring in every quarter during a 34-8 victory in the end. Beau Pribula was 9-of-11 for 155 yards and two scores while also leading the rush on 110 yards from 15 totes. Xavier Brown caught two balls for 58 yards and a TD in the win.
Matched up against Norfolk State for game two last Friday, Virginia had an even easier time. The Cavaliers again scored in every quarter (with double-digits in three of them) in a 59-3 blowout victory. Pribula was 12-of-14 this time for 162 yards, three scores and an interception. Xay Davis led the rush on 107 yards from 11 carries and Jacquon Gibson had two catches, two touchdowns and 36 yards.
West Virginia Mountaineers @ Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends: Week 3
Virginia Cavaliers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 3, TyLyric Coleman ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
West Virginia Mountaineers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 3, DJ Epps ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Virginia ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Virginia ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- West Virginia ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- West Virginia ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
Virginia vs West Virginia Prediction
I’ll lean toward Virginia. The Cavs didn’t have too many issues with Norfolk State last Friday. In that one Virginia notched 466 total yards (237 rushing), 7.5 yards per play, 25 first downs and a 4-of-8 success rate on third downs. The defense gave up just 223 total yards (55 rushing), 3.4 yards per play, 11 first downs and 4-of-17 on third downs alongside three interceptions. There wasn’t much to complain about. Virginia will march into this matchup with an extra day’s prep/rest and all the confidence in the world.
As for WVU, they cruised right on past TN-Martin thanks to 525 yards (316 rushing), 8.3 yards per play and 23 first downs. The defense had a couple of takeaways and gave up a tepid 318 total yards to the Skyhawks. Needless to say, this weekend will be a much tougher matchup but it’ll be a fun one to watch regardless.