The Big 12 brings a matchup of .500 teams on the gridiron, one that might be okay with their record and one who should be disappointed by their early showing, in the Lone Star State. It’s the West Virginia Mountaineers making the trip as they travel to face the Texas Longhorns Saturday night. West Virginia comes in off a 33-10 dismantling of Virginia Tech on the road last Thursday, easily covering the 2.5-point spread. Texas ended up falling 37-34 in overtime to Texas Tech on the road, losing outright as a seven-point favorite, last Saturday in their most recent action. In the all-time series between the programs, the Mountaineers own a 6-5 advantage, including a 31-23 home victory in the most recent meeting on November 20, 2021.
West Virginia bounced back from a pair of narrow losses to start the season as they have won two straight entering this one as they hammered Virginia Tech in their previous contest. The Mountaineers now look for a third straight win by prevailing on the road in a conference tilt. West Virginia led 3-0 after the opening quarter and, after trailing 7-3, reeled off 13 unanswered points to lead a 16-7 lead. The Mountaineers led 16-10 after three quarters before outscoring the Hokies 17-0 in the fourth to win going away. West Virginia rolled up a 421-228 edge in total offense, piled up 32 first downs while allowing 14 and dominated time of possession by a 38:44 to 21:16 margin. Each team forced one turnover with the Mountaineers turning their takeaway into seven points as a pick-six.
The Mountaineers are tied for 45th in the nation in passing offense as they average 272.5 yards per game throug h the air on the year. West Virginia stands 20th in rushing offense as they put up 217.5 yards per contest on the ground this year. The Mountaineers are 15th of 131 FBS teams to play this season in scoring offense with an average of 42.8 points per game. West Virginia is 86th in scoring defense as they allow an average of 27.5 points per game on the year. JT Daniels is 87 of 134 passing for 956 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. Will Crowder (six of six, 57 yards, TD), Garrett Greene (three of six, 45 yards, 64 rush yards, TD) and Nicco Marchiol (two of four, 32 yards, TD) have all seen limited action. CJ Donaldson leads the team on the ground with 52 carries for 380 yards plus six scores this season. Tony Mathis Jr. (58 carries, 272 yards, two TD) and Justin Johnson Jr. (30 carries, 145 yards, TD) are also in the mix. Bryce Ford-Wheaton is the team’s top receiving threat with 27 catches for 319 yards plus four sc ores. Kaden Prather (20 receptions, 220 yards, TD) and Sam James (13 catches, 219 yards, two TD) are the only other players to put up at least 100 receiving yards this season. Casey Legg has hit all 17 extra point attempts and eight of eight field goal attempts with a long of 38 on the year. Parker Grothaus is two of three on extra points while not attempting a field goal this season.