Saturday, September 20, 2014

Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

West Virginia has played the supposedly intimidating Sooners well since joining the Big 12 in 2012, staying in it until the end before ultimately dropping both games. The series returns to Morgantown where fans were treated to 99 points on the scoreboard before the home team ultimately fell 49-50. WVU proved they were a serious threat after battling the Sooners to a 16-9 loss in Norman but many within the program are confident that 2014 could be the year the Mountaineers get over the hump.

The Sooners have been as good as billed so far in 2014, rattling off three consecutive victories by at least 24 points each. QB Trevor Knight, a potential Heisman candidate moving forward, led the way last week as Oklahoma captured a 34-10 win over Tennessee. Knight tossed for 308 yards and a TD while running for another and the Sooners held the Volunteers to -11 yards rushing in the first half. The Oklahoma defense ranks in the top 20 in YPG and rushing YPG and is 8th in the nation in points allowed at just 11.0 per. The offense on the other hand has tallied 44.7 PPG, which is the 16th best number in the FBS.

Clint Trickett has emerged as a breakout star for the high-flying West Virginia offense. The senior QB is 3rd in the nation in passing yards with 1224 through 3 games. Trickett is fourth in the FBS in attempts with 134, but that just makes his 75.4% completion rate even more impressive. Something's got to give in Saturday night's game though as Oklahoma has allowed opposing QB's to a 31.1% completion rate on throws of 10 yards or more downfield. The Sooner secondary has picked off 6 balls already this season, thanks in part to tremendous pressure generated by the front 7. WVU showed they can play with college football's elite in a season opening 23-33 loss to then #2 Alabama and Trickett has played better in every game since, culminating in last week's 511 yard, 4TD performance in a 40-37 win at Maryland.

The Sooners rushed for over 300 yards in the 2013 matchup but was doomed by four turnovers, including 2 INT's from Knight. WVU's passing attack only accounted for 218 yards in last year's game so both teams are expecting better QB play in the 2014 version of the meeting. If Trickett can get hot in front of an electrifying crowd and Milan Puskar Stadium it could mark a signature Big 12 win for the WVU program but if the Sooners come in and bowl them over, fans could be wondering if they'll ever break the Oklahoma hump.

Oklahoma Sooners Betting Trends

Oklahoma Sooners are 2-1-0 Against the Spread

Oklahoma Sooners are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends

West Virginia Mountaineers are 3-0-0 Against the Spread

West Virginia Mountaineers are 2-0-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Oklahoma Sooners

09/15/14 RB Keith Ford Foot expected to miss 2-3 weeks
09/15/14 DE Matt Dimon Elbow doubtful Saturday vs. West Virginia
09/14/14 DL Quincy Russell Personal questionable Saturday vs. West Virginia
09/08/14 DT Charles Walker Undisclosed expected to miss 2-3 weeks
08/28/14 Backup QB Baker Mayfield Eligibility out for season
08/26/14 WR Dorial Green-Beckham Eligibility out for season
08/21/14 LB Frank Shannon Suspension out for season
08/02/14 RB Joe Mixon Suspension out for season

West Virginia Mountaineers

09/15/14 RB Rushel Shell Hand probable Saturday vs. Oklahoma
09/15/14 LB Wes Tonkery Leg is upgraded to probable Saturday vs. Oklahoma
08/28/14 WR Jacky Marcellus Knee out for season
08/28/14 LB Jared Barber Knee out indefinitely
08/26/14 CB Ishmael Banks Academics expected to miss first 3 games

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma

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