The Mountaineers (+6.5) are set to welcome their Big 12 nemesis No. 22 Oklahoma State Cowboys (-6.5) to West Virginia. Kickoff for this showdown is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPN2.
Betting Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
West Virginia enters this Big 12 game as the underdog and is currently getting 6.5 points. The Cowboys are also receiving -270 moneyline odds while the Mountaineers are +210. If one team catches a lucky break early on it’ll create a nice in-game betting opportunity. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 60 points.
The under is getting most of the recent sharp action. The game’s total was set initially at 61.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this season as the Cowboys have gained 1.1 units and the Mountaineers are up 4.2 units.
The Cowboys have gone 7-3 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against Big 12 opponents. The Mountaineers are 4-6 SU overall and are also 2-5 SU in conference play.
The Cowboys are trying to maintain momentum after a solid 31-13 win over Kansas last week where their D allowed the Jayhawks to pass for 251 yards and rush for 39 yards. Stephon Robinson Jr. had a productive day for the Jayhawks in that one with 68 yards and a score on six catches. Offensively, the Cowboys completed 15-of-25 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Spencer Sanders went 12-for-18 for 168 yards and one touchdown while Dru Brown completed three-of-five for 70 yards and one touchdown. Chuba Hubbard (122 yards on 23 rush attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Sanders (37 yards on 11 carries) led the ground attack in the win. Dillon Stoner (five receptions, 150 yards, two TDs) and Landon Wolf (four catches, 24 yards) handled the receiving duties.
West Virginia just earned a 24-20 win over Kansas State. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Wildcats to run for 122 yards on 38 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. James Gilbert was a bright spot in the defeat, recording 60 rushing yards and a score on 13 attempts for Kansas State. For West Virginia, Jarret Doege completed 20-of-30 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Leddie Brown (62 rushing yards on 13 attempts) and Kennedy McKoy (41 yards on 12 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the win as George Campbell (five receptions, 92 yards, two TDs) and Isaiah Esdale (five catches, 34 yards) led the receiving corps.
Oklahoma State has run the ball on 63 percent of its offensive possessions this year while West Virginia has a rush percentage of 42.8 percent. The Cowboys have run for 265.2 yards/game (including 256.6 per game against Big 12 opponents) and have 25 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Mountaineers are logging 76.7 rushing yards per game (75.7 in conference) and have seven total rush TDs.
The Cowboys offense has averaged 232.9 yards in the air overall (220.6 per game against conference opposition) and has 19 passing TDs so far. The Mountaineers have recorded 251.9 pass yards per outing (264 in the Big 12) and have 18 total pass scores.
Oklahoma State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 150.3 yards and throw for 273.1 yards per game. The West Virginia defense has given up 253.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 167.1 yards per game on the ground. The Cowboys are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.22 to opponents, while the Mountaineers have given up a 7.32 ANY/A.
Offensively, Sanders has put up 1,907 passing yards this season, and has completed 63 percent of his 232 attempts with 14 passing scores and 10 interceptions. He has a 6.69 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 9.11 over the past two outings.
We expect the Oklahoma State offense to mix it up in this one. Chuba Hubbard, Dillon Stoner and Spencer Sanders have collectively accounted for 760 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns over the last two outings.
In the other locker room, Austin Kendall has completed 187-of-304 passes for 1,989 yards, 12 TDs and 10 INTs. Kendall’s ANY/A sits at 5.36 for the year and 5.56 across his last two outings.
Sam James, George Campbell and Kennedy McKoy have collectively accounted for 517 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
These two squads faced off a year ago with the final outcome being a 45-41 win for Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State Cowboys at West Virginia Mountaineers Free Pick
SU Winner: Oklahoma State, ATS Winner: Oklahoma State, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The West Virginia offense has lost five fumbles this season while Oklahoma State has lost seven.
- The West Virginia defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 28 times this season. Oklahoma State has produced just 21 sacks.
- Oklahoma State, as a team, has averaged 6.0 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.3 over its last two.
- West Virginia has averaged 2.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.0 over its past two.
- Over its last three contests, West Virginia is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Oklahoma State’s last game going into it was 69.5. The under cashed in the team’s 31-13 win over Kansas.
- In its last three games, Oklahoma State is 2-0-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for West Virginia’s last outing was set at 46.5. The under cashed in that 24-20 triumph over Kansas State.
