West Virginia football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

Looking at the Mountaineers’ schedule, it’s easy to pinpoint the toughest stretch of games. Where are Texas and Oklahoma? This season, West Virginia will get them in a span of three games (and four weeks). The Longhorns are apparently “back” this year, too. Didn’t you hear? Maybe you’ve tuned those who spout that every single offseason out, but Texas is a very talented team.

They’ll once again deploy Sam Ehlinger at quarterback for what seems like his seventh season, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re a four-year starter. The senior could be a Heisman candidate, too, if he’s able to improve upon his numbers from last year. He threw 32 touchdowns, ran for seven more, and threw just 10 interceptions.

The Longhorns did lose a number of offensive weapons, including Ehlinger’s top-two targets in Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson. There’s still enough talent to win, though, that the outcome versus West Virginia will come down to who gets the most stops. And playing in Texas, I believe the Longhorns will get it done.

Prediction: Texas 30, West Virginia 24 (5-2, 4-2)

Looking to bounce back from a tough road loss, the Mountaineers play host to the Horned Frogs on Nov. 14. The Horned Frogs, however, will be on a mission from the season’s opening kick. They finished 5-7 last year, the worst Gary Patterson-led finish since going 4-8 in 2013. His teams don’t usually stay down long, though; the Horned Frogs went 12-1 and won the Peach Bowl in 2014.

Luckily for West Virginia, TCU’s Jalen Reagor went to the NFL. He caught just six passes against the Mountaineers last year, but it was his 70-yard punt return touchdown that put the Horned Frogs ahead in the third quarter. West Virginia ultimately won, 20-17, but TCU aided them with 10 penalties and two turnovers of their own.

Prediction: West Virginia 19, TCU 14 (6-2, 5-2)