West Virginia Football: Mountaineers meet Texas in Big 12 elimination game

Texas looks to pick up a crucial Big 12 win against the Mountaineers. But does West Virginia football have too much offense for the Longhorns’ defense?

The Texas Longhorns and West Virginia Mountaineers go head-to-head this weekend in a game that will most likely decide which one of these two teams goes to the Big 12 Conference championship game. West Virginia making the title game was expected by many but the Longhorns didn’t have as many people in their corner, with most still thinking they were a year away. Well, Texas has fast-tracked their growth, and while a playoff berth is out of the question, they can still reign over the Big 12.

The winner of this game would hold the tiebreaker, and forces the other to win out, and hope other things go their way for a potential rematch in the title game. But chances are the winner will take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though, there’s still plenty of football to be played, including this one, which could see a lot of points scored. Here’s everything you need to know about this pivotal Big 12 matchup:

How To Watch

Date: Saturday, Nov. 3
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Austin, TX
Venue: DKR – Texas Memorial Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOXSportsGO | FuBoTV

Keys to Victory

For the Longhorns, they’ll need to put some long drives together on offense. They have a good enough defense to beat West Virginia’s offense, but playing keep away and slowing things down wouldn’t hurt either. Sam Ehlinger needs to stay focused and use his performance against Oklahoma early this year as an example of what he’s capable of in big games. On defense, the Longhorns will need to apply pressure on Will Grier and eliminate the run game. If the Mountaineers run all over Texas, they’ll be in for a long day.

For the Mountaineers, they’ll need a typical game from Will Grier, The Heisman hopeful will need to put up big numbers as this game could easily turn into a shootout. And just as the Longhorns need to stop the run, West Virginia needs to establish the run game early on. The Mountaineers have only had one running back surpass 100 yards in  game this season, and against this Longhorn defense, they could use any help they can get. For the Mountaineers’ defense, eliminating the big play will go a long way and will prove worthy as they look to “upset” the Longhorns.

Prediction

West Virginia strikes first on a quick drive that results in the Mountaineers scoring in less than 6 plays. After trading possessions, the Longhorns pick up their first touchdown of the game and even things up midway through the first quarter. That’s when an old fashioned Big 12 shootout bursts out. Scores through the air, on the ground, and even a couple field goals have both teams nearing 30 points heading into halftime.

The Longhorns take advantage of a failed fourth down attempt by the Mountaineers early in the third quarter and jump out to the game’s first two score lead. Both teams continue to trade scores and punts through most of the second half and a strip sack by Charles Omenihu seals the game as the Texas Longhorns get back into the win column and hold a tie breaker advantage over Oklahoma and West Virginia.

Prediction: Texas 45, West Virginia 38.