Quick Takes: West Virginia

[Mike Roach]

Who: West Virginia Mountaineers 6-3 (4-2) vs Texas Longhorns 4-5 (3-3)

When: Saturday November 8, 2014 2:30 pm

Where: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin TX (Fox Sports 1)

Odds: West Virginia -3.5

The Good:

West Virginia might be one of the best three loss teams in the country with all three of thier defeats coming to top 20 teams.  Clint Trickett has shown improvement from last season and has started to excel in Dana Holgerson's offense.  Kevin White is the name to know on the Mountaineers offense.  The big play receiver has already topped 1,000 yards and has eight touchdowns on the season.  Perhaps the main reason for the mountaineers success this season has been an emergence on the defensive side of the ball.  West Virginia is allowing 25 points per game, but have shown the ability to limit the big play and create constant pressure up front. 

The Bad:

While Mountaineer fans are certainly happy with the progress shown this season, West Virginia has had a few puzzling performances including a struggle with Texas Tech that resulted in a narrow victory, and a close loss to TCU plagued by mistakes and turnovers.  Trickett himself turned the ball over three times to the Horned frogs in a game that was decided by a last second field goal.  While the Mountaineers are certainly playing better than last season, they still are exhibiting the signs of a team that just isn't ready to compete at the top of the conference. 

The Uncertain:

The Mountaineers offense has been better on the road, but the defense has been drastically worse and is giving up almost 150 more yards per game away from Morgantown.  West Virginia will also be traveling following an emotional loss the week before and will face a Texas team that is fighting for bowl contention and is coming off of a big win. 

What's at stake:

West Virginia has had some very nice moments this season, and fans want to see this team finish out strong.  in past years the Mountaineers have either not played well all season, or have faded down the stretch.  They also have a chance of a ten win season if they can win out and score a victory in their bowl game.  Texas is fighting to make a final impression on this season and is still looking for a signature win over a good conference opponent. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Thanks, Mike.

The players at the press conference seem excited to face Trickett & White.

 

[Worster1]

Coach Strong wants a signature win for the season, you can argue WVU would or would not be a signature win, but it would be a BIG win for a team struggling to gain an identity and build on something.  It would also give them 2 wins in a row, even their record to 5-5 and give them much needed confidence going on the road to an always hostile environment at T. Boone Pickens stadium in Stoolwater.

Hook 'Em!

 

[TheDeuceWVU]

Solid breakdown of the team and season to this point.

I'd say you're spot on.

 

[Mike Roach]

Beating WVU would absolutely be a signature win. Bearing a top 25 team with a high powered offense in front of a host of talent on official visits would be huge. I think WVU is still growing and learning, but I also believe they are as good of a 3 loss team as you will find

 

[texasdobbs]

Great information. ...

 

[Topstarr]

All I can say is Longhorns win  and ....HOOK'EM and #LetsRide.... B)

 

[Bear19]

Good article. No doubt it would be our biggest win of the year.

 

[dillohorn]

UT will need a near perfect effort from the OL, have no MISTAKES by Swoopes, and the D cannot give up the explosive homerun plays. This is a long shot at best. 

 

[HornEsch]

Call me crazy, probably the truth, but I think we upset either WVU or TCU. Don't have a reason, other than a gut feeling.

We CAN play with them. If we can do it consistently enough for a whole game is the question.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[BevoBlake]

Call me crazy, probably the truth, but I think we upset either WVU or TCU. Don't have a reason, other than a gut feeling.

We CAN play with them. If we can do it consistently enough for a whole game is the question.

That's been the problem all season. Texas hasn't had a game outside of maybe KSU all season in which they haven't been able to play with their opponent. Even Baylor, Oklahoma and UCLA had to play their hearts out to walk away with a victory. We can say all we want about Texas' play this season but it hasn't been due to any lack of effort. Our biggest problem is and has been finishing. We've got to finish this Saturday.

 

[echeese]

Trickett Boykin and Waters, top 3 QBs in the conference then a BIG TIME drop off in talent. . .

My one "hope" for the weekend is that WVU is prone to turnovers vs good D's. . .we have to capitalize on mistakes. . . 

We need our offense to execute the CFS game plan, move the chains, control the clock, limit their chances.. . 

Another solid output by Mr Roach

 

[Topstarr]

the effort from Texas Longhorns will propel us to a great win........Hook'em

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Great stuff, Mike. WVU is certainly not unbeatable, but Texas has to capitalize on turnover opportunities if we want to have a chance at winning.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011