TCU-Baylor and Red River Shootout Highlight Vegas Big 12 Predictions Week 7
Saturday Blitz Vegas Big 12 Predictions Week 7
West Virginia Mountaineers at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Line: West Virginia by 5.5
Here’s a battle to not be left behind in the Big 12. West Virginia got back on track after beating Kansas last week to move to 3-2, and the Mountaineers are looking very clear in what their strengths and weaknesses are. The strengths are the news, and they revolve around Clint Trickett, a great offensive line, and a solid pass defense despite a very weak rush defense. The pass defense will be tested this week against Texas Tech’s air raid offense, so it will have to prove itself. The offense, meanwhile, needs to let Trickett be Trickett and have him cut apart the Texas Tech defense for short, efficient passes all the way down the field coupled with great runs behind a tough offensive line.
Texas Tech and Kliff Kingsbury, meanwhile, are very close to falling off the edge. They desperately need a win on Saturday, and it’s got to start with Davis Webb. This is an air raid offense, and although Webb has put up numbers, he has also laid a few eggs. Having less than 250 yards to only go with 2 touchdowns is bad enough in an offense predicated on throwing for at least 350 yards. Adding 4 interceptions to that only makes things worse, as they did with Kansas State. The Red Raiders have got to have Webb show up, and he’s got to manage an air raid the way you’re supposed to. Otherwise, there’s no way they get the win, even at home.
Prediction
West Virginia will have trouble defending the pass in this game as Webb actually decides to show up. But it won’t matter. Texas Tech can’t stop a good passing offense, and Trickett will torch them down the field for too many scores. Here is another loss for the Red Raiders, and that will demoralize them even further.
West Virginia: 48 Texas Tech: 35