Breaking down the Mountaineers

OFFENSE

Like most of the offenses that the Longhorns have encountered throughout the season, West Virginia runs a fast paced, no-huddle, shotgun offense with some pro-style formations mixed in during short yardage situations.

DEFENSE

WVU runs a multiple defense with varying looks from play to play. On one play, the Mountaineers will run a 4 down line set and the next you may see three or no down linemen.

SPECIAL TEAMS

WVU’s special teams unit has been good and bad in several different areas. The Mountaineers have been very good returning kicks as they rank 17^th nationally averaging 24.19 yards per return and have 2 kick returns for TD’s this season. They also have a good field goal kicker who is 21 of 26 on the year but has made all 4 kicks from 50+ yards out.

The area that the Longhorns have the best chance to take advantage of is in kick returns as WVU surrenders nearly 22.33 yards per return and has given up a return TD. Against TCU last week, the Mountaineers attempted to combat this area of weakness by pooch kicking – the adjustment was somewhat successful as WVU recovered a misplayed kick by TCU on one of the kicks.

MATCHUPS

Texas QB/WR/TE’s v. WVU DB’s:

Aside from the fumble that turned into a TD last week, Swoopes had a good game passing the ball against Tech. While he didn’t use his legs as often as many would have liked, the Texas QB led an offense that moved the ball and put up 34 points in a night game, in Lubbock, in spite of a subpar performance by the Longhorn receivers.

West Virginia has a better defense than Tech and has the appearance of being more aggressive than what the Longhorns faced last week. Swoopes has difficulty maintaining his composure under pressure and the Mountaineers will undoubtedly try to take advantage of that early.

WVU’s pass defense isn’t great but neither is Swoopes and the Texas passing attack.

Advantage: Even

Texas RB’s v. WVU LB’s:

It was refreshing to see the Texas RB’s play up to expectations last week. Against one of the worst rush defenses in the country, the Longhorns were able to move the ball on the ground better than they had all season long.

West Virginia, while not as poor as Tech, ranks in the bottom half of the country in rush defense. For the Longhorns to beat the Mountaineers, Texas needs the running game to be successful and that includes both backs, Swoopes, and Daje Johnson.

With the lack of success throughout the season for both units, it’s almost impossible to give either an advantage.

Advantage: Even

Texas OL v. WVU DL:

Texas’ line has played poorly for most of the season, but they have come through against teams that have difficulty pressuring the QB and stopping the run. WVU’s d-line hasn’t had great success in either of those areas, but they do get some assistance pressuring the pocket from blitzing LB’s and DB’s.

Even with the improved performance last week by the O-Line, there are still too many missed assignments and lack of a constant push to give Texas the benefit of the doubt against the Mountaineers.

Advantage: