Texas Football: Will Longhorns avoid falling in trap game vs. West Virginia?

Texas football is fresh off a bye week and go on the road to face West Virginia. With Red River around the corner, could this be a trap for Texas?

While the Texas Longhorns already have one loss of the season, they are still considered as one of the top teams in the nation, by both voters and fans. Since their Week 2 loss to LSU, Texas has picked up two additional wins — a blowout victory over Rice and win over Oklahoma State in their conference opener.

The Longhorns now enter Week 6 off a bye and are prepared for the heart of their 2019 schedule which includes the Red River Rivalry.

The West Virginia Mountaineers also enter this match up 3-1 but have not been as impressive. In their lone loss of the season, West Virginia put up just seven points in a 31-point loss to Missouri. And in the Mountaineers’ three wins, they beat James Madison by seven, took down NC State and shook off a pesky Kansas team.

West Virginia is also coming off a bye week and looks to pick up the upset win over the Longhorns.

Both teams have something on the line this weekend. Texas looks to keep its playoff hopes alive and West Virginia aims to pick up that signature win that will move them close to the AP Top 25.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game between Texas and West Virginia:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Morgantown, W.V.
Venue: Milan Puskar Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For the Longhorns’ offense it’s fairly obvious they go as far as Sam Ehlinger goes. He has a gritty style of play and has the ability to make plays with his arm and his legs.

On defense, the Longhorns need to avoid matching their season averages in total yards per game and passing yards per game. The West Virginia offense doesn’t jump off the table but it’s the Big 12 and crazier things have happened.

The Mountaineers need to get their offense going early. While their defense has put up some mildly impressive numbers this season, this game will most likely need to be shootout for West Virginia to win.

Defensively, West Virginia needs contain Ehlinger inside the pocket and eliminate his big play making ability. If he’s able to get out of the pocket to extend the play, they could be in for a long day.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Point Spread: Texas -11.5
Over/Under: 60

Prediction

Both Texas and West Virginia are going to put up some points this game but the final score will show that this one was no contest at all. Texas takes a commanding two score lead and never lets up. Sam Ehlinger has his typical game and finds the endzone through the air and on the ground. West Virginia’s defense does well in the red zone, but the Longhorns’ still score, whether it be six points or three points. Longhorns avoid the trap and head into Red River week confident and ready to go.

Final Score: Texas 44, West Virginia 31