West Virginia Mountaineers at #16 Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma
Saturday, September 7, 2013, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox
Opening Line: Oklahoma -17 1/2
Current Line: Oklahoma -21
Opening Total: 55 1/2
Current Total: 57 1/2
Opening Money Line: Oklahoma -1250 / West Virginia +800
Current Money Line: Oklahoma -1400 / West Virginia +925
The last time Oklahoma and West Virginia played each other it was last November. The game turned out to be a wild shootout, with over 1,400 combined total yards, 4 turnovers, 62 first downs, and 13 penalties. Oklahoma held on for the 50-49 win in Morgantown. Oklahoma leads the series 3-2. The two schools open Big 12 play against each other Saturday in Norman.
West Virginia, coached by Dana Holgerson, escaped with a 24-17 win over William & Mary last Saturday. The Mountaineers were 32 point favorites and the total was 60.5. West Virginia scored early in the first to take a 7-0 lead,but William and Mary would score 17 unanswered points before halftime to make it 17-7 Tribe going into the locker room. The Mountaineers tied it up with 10 points in the third, and won the game on a 2 yard touchdown run with 3:22 to go. William & Mary threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, and WVU ran out the clock to secure the win.
West Virginia had 409 total yards and 24 first downs. CWM had 309 total yards and 12 first downs. Each team had a turnover. Neither team was effective on third down conversions as the Tribe was 5/14 and the Mountaineers were 2/10.
West Virginia quarterback Paul Millard completed 19 of 25 passes for 237 yards with a touchdown. Running back Charles Sims, a transfer from Houston had 23 carries, 120 yards and a touchdown, along with a catch for 12 yards. Ronald Carswell had 2 catches for 73 yards including a 69 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Daikiel Shorts had 7 catches for 63 yards.
Oklahoma opened with a 34-0 shutout at home against Louisiana-Monroe. The Sooners were 21.5 point favorites at home and the total was 60.5. Neither team scored in the first quarter, but Oklahoma would score early in the second to make it 7-0. Oklahoma would add 2 field goals before halftime to take a 13-0 lead. The Sooners would score 21 points in the second half to seal the win. It was the 150th career win for Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.
The Sooners had 429 total yards with 305 rushing yards and 25 first downs. The offense wasn’t terrible by any means, but it has been a while since Oklahoma only passed for 124 yards in a game and still won. The Sooners were dominant on defense holding ULM to 166 total yards, including 38 rushing yards, and just 9 first downs. The Warhawks only crossed midfield twice. Each team had a turnover.
Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight, a redshirt freshman was 11/28 passing for only 86 yards with 3 touchdowns, and a pick. Knight had 13 carries for 103 yards. Running back Damien Williams had 16 carries for 66 yards. Brennan Clay rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Saunders had 3 catches for 30 yards and 2 touchdowns. Trey Metoyer also scored a touchdown.
West Virginia is 4-9 ATS overall, 2-5 after an ATS loss and a straight up win, 2-5-1 after allowing 20 points or less, 3-8 against teams with winning records, 1-4 in road games against teams with winning home records, and in September.
Oklahoma is 21-9 ATS after rushing for 200 yards or more, 7-3 after allowing 170 passing yards, 2-5 after a cover, 3-10 after allowing less than 275 total yards on defense, 2-7 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards, 1-4 at home, 1-5 after a straight up win, and after allowing 20 points or less.
I don’t think this will be an offensive shootout like last year’s game. Both teams lost a lot of talent on offense and it will take a while for the new guys to get into the flow. I think Oklahoma wins and covers, but it stays under the total.
Our award winning college football handicappers are hitting at 80% for the 2013 season. Don’t miss out on any more winners.
