Oklahoma at West Virginia Mountaineers: Sooners Wire staff predictions
The Oklahoma Sooners (5-4 and 2-4) look to rebound from their loss a week ago to the Baylor Bears on the road against the West Virginia Mountaineers (3-6, 1-5). The Sooners are undefeated since West Virginia joined the Big 12. They’ve won nine in a row, and generally, they’ve been high-scoring affairs. Last year’s 16-13 win in Norman was an aberration, to say the least.
Against Baylor, the Sooners’ offense couldn’t get out of its own way, and the defense couldn’t stop a Baylor rushing attack that put up 281 yards, led by Craig Williams’ 192.
Oklahoma will look to bounce back with a cleaner performance on the road in what is generally perceived to be a tough place to play, even if that hasn’t been the case for the Oklahoma Sooners.
Let’s get ready for Saturday with this week’s staff predictions.
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I usually try to stay realistic with these predictions, but I’ve run out of patience. It’s time to get drastic.
Not only will Dillon Gabriel throw zero interceptions, but he will also throw for four touchdowns. Eric Gray or Jovantae Barnes will throw in two more on the ground.
As for the defense, it’s time to show some improvement. The Mountaineers aren’t the Baylor Bears when it comes to running the ball. If they run all over the Sooners, there is a massive problem.
I would very much like to stop talking about bowl eligibility. The Sooners WILL get the last win they need to get to a bowl game.
Just win, baby.
Sooners 45, Mountaineers 27
Contact/Follow Ben Dackiw
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Oklahoma lost a tough game at home to a Baylor team that makes no secret about how they want to win football games. They run the ball and play defense.
Yet, somehow Oklahoma had no answer for the Bears’ run game.
This week they’ll get the opposite as they will take on Air Raid-heavy WVU. The Mountaineers are led by one of the Air Raid’s most prolific passers in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell.
Oklahoma’s secondary held Baylor’s passing game in check with just 132 passing yards. But it never really needed to be a threat.
The Mountaineers offer a much stiffer competition out wide as receivers like Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Sam James have combined for nine touchdowns so far this season.
Oklahoma is one win away from bowl eligibility with three games remaining. They come out on Saturday bombing away at a West Virginia defense ranked 100th in total defense and 118th in passing yards allowed.
This feels like a game where we see touchdowns by Jalil Farooq, Marvin Mims, and Brayden Willis. Dillon Gabriel has a 300-yard, four-touchdown day through the air, and the Sooners come out on top.
Oklahoma 31, West Virginia 23
Contact/Follow Bryant Crews
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This one has the makings of a high-scoring affair. Oklahoma allows 29.8 points per game, while the Mountaineers’ defense allows a bit more at 34.2. West Virginia allows 276 passing yards per game, 118th in the nation. Oklahoma allows 199 rushing yards per game, which is 119th in the country.
The offenses will be able to do some damage. The Mountaineers are averaging 32.1 points per game, and the Sooners are slightly better at 33.2 points per game.
Both teams are coming off of a loss. The Mountaineers lost last week to Iowa State in Ames. They’re in the middle of a three-game losing streak since beating Baylor at home 43-40 back in week six.
Ultimately, this game comes down to the team with the more consistent offense, and that’s Oklahoma. The Sooners rebound from their loss to Baylor with a strong start in Morgantown led by Dillon Gabriel and Eric Gray. Though West Virginia is susceptible in the passing game, Jeff Lebby will look to establish the run to make life easier on its passing attack.
The Sooners’ defense isn’t necessarily better, but they string together enough stops to allow Oklahoma to take control of the game and leave Morgantown with a win.
Sooners 44, Mountaineers 34
Contact/Follow John Williams
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