GAME INFO
LOCATION: MORGANTOWN, WV
VENUE: MILAN PUSKAR STADIUM
TIME: 11:00 AM CST
WATCH: ESPNU, WatchESPN
RECORD: 4-1
LAST RESULT: W 65-19
2017 RECORD: 3-2
2016 RECORD: 10-3
LAST RESULT: L 31-24 AT TCU
SERIES INFO
LAST MEETING: 10-15-2016
LAST RESULT: L 48-17
SERIES RECORD: WVU LEADS 4-2
CURRENT STREAK: WVU (3)
SPREAD
WEST VIRGINIA -3.5
The Red Raiders travel to Morgantown, WV to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. This is the 7th meeting between the Red Raiders and Mountaineers, who have played every year since West Virginia joined the Big 12 in 2012.
This is the 7th season for West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen who has a record of 49 and 33 with the Mountaineers. Holgerson in was the Texas Tech offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2007 and the inside receivers coach from 2000 to 2004.
WHAT TO WATCH
OFFENSE.
This will be another opportunity for Texas Tech to build some momentum on offense, particularly in the running game. West Virginia allowed 288 rushing yards from Kansas a couple weeks ago and the Mountaineer secondary continues to be a weak point as well.
Look for the offense to come out swinging. With Coutee back and healthy, I would expect Shimonek and company to really pick apart the Mountaineer secondary. The key however, will be for the running game to pick up where they left off in Lawrence. The KU defense was really bad so I wouldn't expect another 300+ day from the running backs. But if they can pull off 3 yards a carry and keep the defense honest, then it should be a good day for the Red Raider offense.
DEFENSE
The West Virginia offense is pretty good. Will Grier passed for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns against a good TCU defense. The Mountaineer running backs put up great numbers against weak opponents but struggled to be productive against TCU.
The key here will be for the front seven to once again stop the run and force West Virginia to become one dimensional.
Turnovers will also be a key. Will Grier has thrown an interception in four out of five games this season and the Red Raider defense come in ranked in the top 10 in takeaways. If this becomes a shootout, winning the turnover margin will be crucial if the Red Raiders hope to come out of Morgantown with a win.
FINAL NOTE
I don't want to call this a must win because I believe it is possible to bounce back if the Red Raiders drop this one. However, with Tech making the AP polls for the first time since 2013, this game is a great opportunity to really set the tone for the rest of the season. If Tech can come out of Morgantown with a win, then the momentum will be all on Tech's suse as they head into the heart of Big 12 play.
PREDICTION
TEXAS TECH 38 WEST VIRGINIA 28
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