EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, November 17^th, the (8-1) West Virginia Mountaineers will be on the road to take on the (5-5) Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of West Virginia 34.5 – Oklahoma State 32.5 with an over/under of 67.0.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of West Virginia 41 – Oklahoma State 28.

Mark is predicting a final score of West Virginia 47 – Oklahoma State 38.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: West Virginia 337.3 YPG > Oklahoma State 317.6 YPG

Rushing offense: Oklahoma State 194.0 YPG > West Virginia 159.0 YPG

Scoring offense: West Virginia 40.9 PPG > Oklahoma State 39.2 PPG

Scoring defense: West Virginia 20.9 PPG > Oklahoma State 31.7 PPG

Passing defense: West Virginia 233.2 YPG > Oklahoma State 255.5 YPG

Rushing defense: West Virginia 121.0 YPG > Oklahoma State 171.4 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: West Virginia +0.4 > Oklahoma State -0.4

Summary:

West Virginia is (8-1) with wins over Tennessee, Youngstown State, Kansas State, #25 Texas Tech, Kansas, Baylor, #17 Texas, and TCU.  Their only loss was a 30-14 road loss to Iowa State in week seven.  West Virginia destroyed TCU 47-10 last week outgaining them 535-222 in total yardage.  The Mountaineers rank 10^th in points per game (40.9) and 24^th in scoring defense (20.9 PPG).  Quarterback Will Grier is among the best in the nation at his position, completing 69% of his passes for 2,961 yards with 31 touchdowns to 8 interceptions.  Running backs Kennedy McCoy and Martell Pettaway have combined 958 yards and 8 touchdowns.  West Virginia has a trio of dangerous receivers in David Sills V (697 yards, 12 touchdowns), Marcus Simms (635 yards, 2 touchdowns), and Gary Jennings Jr. (600 yards, 10 touchdowns). The Mountaineers’ defense ranks 73^rd against the pass (233.2 YPG) and 21^st against the run (121.0 YPG).

Oklahoma State is (5-5) with victories over Missouri State, South Alabama, #17 Boise State, Kansas, and #6 Texas.  They were defeated by Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor, and #6 Oklahoma.  Oklahoma State has dropped four of their last five including last week’s heartbreaking 48-47 loss to #6 Oklahoma.  The Cowboys rank 13^th in points per game (39.2) and 94^th in scoring defense (31.7 PPG).  Quarterback Taylor Cornelius has completed 60% of his passes for 3,133 yards with 23 touchdowns to 8 interceptions.  Running back Justice Hill has rushed for 930 yards and 9 touchdowns.  Tylan Wallace is the nation’s third leading receiver with 1,282 yards and 9 touchdowns.  The Cowboys’ defense ranks 102^nd against the pass (255.5 YPG) and 76^th against the run (171.4 YPG).

Bottom Line:

Oklahoma State has to be demoralized after last week’s heartbreaking road loss to the Oklahoma Sooners.  Will Grier is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and has thrown for over 300 yards in every game but the loss to Iowa State.  Grier should be able to torch a very weak Oklahoma State secondary that is allowing nearly 300 yards per game through the air.  I think the Cowboys lay an egg at home as West Virginia continues their march to the playoff.

West Virginia wins 41-28

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