This week could boast the most wagers in West Virginia sports betting history. WVU football hosts the Texas Longhorns in a crucial Big 12 Conference matchup among 3-1 teams.
Both sides will enter Saturday’s matchup with fresh legs coming off a bye. The Mountaineers took down Kansas on the road, 29-24, in their last game. Texas won a similar conference battle, topping Oklahoma State, 36-30.
Although these teams come into this weekend’s game with the same record, the Longhorns are sizable favorites. This is no slight against WVU, as Texas is ranked 11th and 12th in this week’s AP and Coaches Poll, respectively.
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WV sports betting odds for WVU vs. Texas
Want to bet on WVU football for Week 6? Here are the lines at West Virginia online sportsbooks:
Updated Oct. 4, 2019.
| Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WVU vs. Texas | |||
| DraftKings Sportsbook | WVU +10.5 | 61 | WVU +295 Texas -385 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | WVU +10 | 61 | WVU +300 Texas -390 |
| Marshall vs. Middle Tennessee | |||
| DraftKings | Marshall -4 | 54 | Marshall -195 MTSU +155 |
| FanDuel | Marshall -4 | 53.5 | Marshall -180 MTSU +150 |
WVU must slow down Texas
Even though they might know they’re underdogs, the Mountaineers will be storming the field in Morgantown as confident as ever this weekend. After a slow start that included a tight victory over FCS James Madison and a 31-point loss at Missouri, coach Neal Brown and his team have responded.
WVU’s most difficult task will be slowing down the Longhorn offense. If the defensive unit that’s shown they’re capable of limiting quarterbacks can do it again this week, then the Mountaineers have a real chance.
Ehlinger is one of the best at the position and creates issues for even the best defenses. He’s a dual-threat who is likely to make an impact in both the passing and ground game.
Through four weeks, Ehlinger has over 1,200 passing yards and a 15:1 touchdown to interception ratio. He also is second on the team in rushing, with 42 carries for 191 yards so far this year.
Against Oklahoma State in his last game, the junior quarterback totaled more than 350 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns.
While the Mountaineers will need to hone in on Ehlinger, their safeties must remain alert about the deep ball over the top. Texas has several wide receivers who have created plenty of explosive plays.
Devin Duvernay leads the wideouts with a staggering 39 grabs through four games. Only two players in FBS football have more receptions.
Three other Longhorns have at least 10 catches, including Brennan Eagles and Jake Smith. They each have four receiving scores as well as long receptions for the season of at least 53 yards.
WVU will need to do different things on defense when the time comes, or else Texas will continue to score its 41.8 points per game. It will certainly be a challenge to try to contain Ehlinger and the run game, while at the same time protecting against the deep pass.
When it comes to betting on WVU football for Week 6, if the Mountaineers are able to slow down Texas enough, they will give their offense and quarterback Austin Kendall an opportunity to pull the upset.
WVU football predictions
Along with its defense performing, WVU will need a great afternoon from Kendall and the rest of the offense. After managing just 27 points in their first two contests, the Mountaineers have scored 44 and 29 in their last two.
A big part of the improvement is thanks to an enhanced running game. WVU rushed for 173 yards with a 6.2 average in its win against NC State, and another 192 yards against Kansas.
Even though Kendall has all the potential in the world, he lacks the experience to run the show all by himself. A commitment to running the football has helped WVU’s offense substantially. Expect for coach Brown to continue to do more of the same this Saturday.
The Mountaineers have also done a great job of limiting turnovers lately. In their last two wins, they have only turned the ball over one time. This will be a major factor in Saturday’s game, as every possession will be an important one.
Scoring points will obviously be key, but maintaining possession is nearly as important for WVU. The longer it can keep Texas on the sideline, the better its chances of winning are.
If Texas finds itself down early in the game, it might not be able to find the offensive groove it’s looking for. Making Ehlinger have to pass downfield all game will get him out of his comfort zone and give WVU more chances at creating turnovers.
Even though the Mountaineers are legitimate underdogs on Saturday, crazier things have happened in Big 12 college football. With the confidence it currently has and the home-field advantage that will be rocking Morgantown, WVU could have a chance to win Saturday with just a little luck.
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