West Virginia Football: 5 Reasons Mountaineers beat Oklahoma

2. West Virginia has the better defense

Defense isn’t a word often associated with the Big 12, and it’s certainly seldom used when described Oklahoma. Unless of course, one is talking about their since-fired defensive coordinator or their failed attempts to stem the flood allowed by the crimson and creme defenders in 2018.

Oklahoma ranks in the bottom half of the conference in most every important defensive statistic available. The Sooners are seventh in total defense, seventh in scoring defense, sixth in third down defense and seventh in long scrimmage plays of 40+ yards allowed (13).

On the other side of the field, West Virginia has done a significantly better job in the same measures. The Mountaineers rank third in total defense, second in scoring defense, second in third down defense and first in long scrimmage plays of 40+ yards allowed (five).

These two high-powered offenses are going to score points, but the team that finds a way to make the most stops will win this game. That team is West Virginia, and it’s not even close.