It’s a battle of Big 12 programs on the gridiron in the Lone Star State. The West Virginia Mountaineers are on the road as they travel to face the #22 Texas Longhorns Saturday afternoon. West Virginia comes in off a 37-10 thrashing of #16 Kansas State at home in their previous contest last Saturday. Texas earned a 41-34 overtime road win over #6 Oklahoma State in their previous contest last Saturday. The Mountaineers lead the all-time series between the teams, 5-4, but it was the Longhorns earning a 42-31 victory at home in the most recent matchup on October 5, 2019.
West Virginia Mountaineers Try to Topple Another Ranked Foe
West Virginia bounced back from a loss at Texas Tech as they took care of business by thrashing #16 Kansas State at home in their last game. The Mountaineers look to make it back to back wins over ranked opponents as they make the trip here. West Virginia trailed 3-0 midway through the first quarter before reeling off 24 unanswered points to take control of the contest. The Mountaineers didn’t let the Wildcats closer than 14 the rest of the way. West Virginia blanked Kansas State in the second half en route to the victory. The Mountaineers rolled up a 485-225 edge in total offense, picked up 23 first downs while allowing 13 and controlled the clock by a 34:14 to 25:46 margin. West Virginia forced three turnovers, including a pick-six, while committing only one in the game.
That’s a move @showtimejet#HailWV pic.twitter.com/TXqWRGexgz
— WVU Football (@WVUfootball) November 2, 2020
The Mountaineers are 24th in the nation in passing offense as they average 292.8 yards per game through the air on the year. West Virginia stands 45th in rushing offense as they put up 172 yards per contest on the ground this year. The Mountaineers are 33rd of 103 FBS teams to play this season in scoring offense with an average of 33 points per game. West Virginia is 17th in scoring defense as they allow an average of 19.8 points per game on the year. Jarret Doege has been solid running the offense as he has hit 149 of 232 passes for 1,690 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. The ground game is a roughly 2:1 timeshare between lead back Leddie Brown (126 carries, 694 yards, eight TD) and Alec Sinkfield (62 carries, 301 yards, three TD) this season. In the passing game, Winston Wright Jr. (32 receptions, 391 yards, two TD), Sam James (26 catches, 242 yards, 2 TD) and Bryce Ford-Wheaton (16 grabs, 301 yards, three TD) are the top three receivers this season. Brown adds 23 receptions for 166 yards and two scores out of the backfield.
West Virginia loves to move the ball through the air with their spread offense and that works well for them here. Texas has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 63.2 percent of their passes for an average of 276.5 yards per game with 14 touchdown passes this season. Last week against Oklahoma State, they saw Spencer Sanders throw for 400 yards and four scores. Texas has allowed at least 250 yards through the air in four of their six games this season. The Longhorns have to turn up the pressure as they have totaled only 12 sacks this season to go with 33 pass defenses and six picks. If they can’t pressure Doege, it could be a long day for Tom Herman’s defense.
Texas Longhorns Seeking Third Straight Victory
Texas has been up and down this season as they won their first two games, dropped their next two and have won their last two. The Longhorns’ overtime win over #6 Oklahoma State was their first road win over a top-10 team in a decade and they look to continue that momentum here. Texas trailed 7-0, 14-7, 24-17 and 31-20 before taking a 34-31 lead with 4:27 to play in regulation. The Longhorns surrendered the tying field goal with five seconds in regulation before regrouping. In overtime, Texas scored and shut down Oklahoma State to earn the victory. The Longhorns were outgained 530-287, gave up 35 first downs while picking up 18 and held a 31:37 to 28:23 edge in time of possession. Texas’ big edge came in the turnover game as they had five takeaways leading to 20 points, while not committing a turnover.
Just 🦅 things. @_BrennanEagles_ pic.twitter.com/z4xTlt10S3
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 2, 2020
On the season, the Longhorns are 25th in the nation in passing offense as they average 284.2 yards per game through the air. Texas is 57th in rushing offense as they put up 165.3 yards per contest on the ground this season. The Longhorns stand 8th of the 103 teams in the FBS that have played in scoring offense as they put up a hefty 44.3 points per game this season. Texas is 68th this season in scoring defense as they allow 32.5 points per contest. Sam Ehlinger is 132 of 219 passing for 1,650 yards with 20 touchdowns against five interceptions this season. He is currently leading the team with 284 yards on the ground plus seven scores. Keaontay Ingram leads the Longhorns’ running backs with 53 carries for 250 yards plus. Roschon Johnson (42 carries, 192 yards, two TD) and Bijan Robinson (39 carries, 181 yards) are also in the mix. Seven players have double-digit receptions and eight have put up at least 100 yards receiving this season. Joshua Moore leads the team with 22 grabs for 343 yards and seven scores. Brennan Eagles (15 catches, 243 yards, four TD) and Jake Smith (14 grabs, 133 yards, two TD) are good options as well.
Texas is going to have to run the ball in order to beat the Mountaineers. In the two losses West Virginia has this season, they allowed a total of 382 rushing yards and five scores to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Meanwhile, in their four wins, the Mountaineers have limited opponents to a total of 119 carries for 205 yards without a score on the ground. The Mountaineers have allowed just one opponent to throw for at least 200 yards against them this season as they have 18 sacks along with nine interceptions this season. Ehlinger is going to have to get help from his trio of backs to open up something in the passing game.
