Two early losses seemed to end the Oklahoma Sooners’ College Football Playoff chances before they could get rolling, but a huge bounceback at least has them getting longshot odds of rejoining the conversation. Oklahoma is undefeated in conference play and will aim to remain that way in a tough road matchup against fellow nationally ranked foe the West Virginia Mountaineers in Week 12 of the college football season.
Both teams are talented and the home field advantage for West Virginia should make this one competitive. The Sooners are slight favorites to win, but if the Mountaineers pull it off the Big 12 will be up for grabs heading into the final few weekends.
This contest in Week 12 of the regular season will go down Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oklahoma -2.5
West Virginia +2.5
Over/Under 66.5
Odds Analysis
The Sooners have dominated of late and the bettors have certainly noticed. They are favorites against a ranked opponent and yet more than 72 percent of the action is going on them to cover.
The scoring total could be a little bit too low as about two-thirds of the money is taking the “over.”
Oklahoma is 8-2 straight up but just 3-7 against the spread this season. The Sooners have covered three times in eight tries as the favorite but have failed to do so at all away from home. That’s certainly something to keep in the back of your mind.
West Virginia is 8-1 straight up and 4-5 against the spread. The Mountaineers have only been an underdog one time this season and covered the spread in that one.
Matchup to Watch
Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook vs West Virginia defensive back Rasul Douglas - This is a gigantic matchup and the player who emerges with the best day will give his team a leg up.
Westbrook has 68 catches for 1,254 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. He has surpassed 100 yards receiving in seven of his past eight games and has gone for more than 200 yards in a game twice this season.
Westbrook has at least one touchdown catch in eight straight games and has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in college football.
Douglas has been a star at cornerback this year. He has 50 tackles on the season along with six interceptions and six pass deflections. He will likely get tasked with covering Westbrook much of the time, and will need to hold up against an elite foe.
Player to Watch
Baker Mayfield - The Oklahoma quarterback is coming off back-to-back games where he’s thrown for 300 yards or more. He’s thrown for 3,212 yards this season with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.
Mayfield’s best game of the season came against Texas Tech on October 22nd where he completed 27 of 36 passes and threw for 545 yards with seven touchdowns. He has been solid all season long for the Sooners, especially with Westbrook on the receiving end, and will be key this week in a tough matchup against West Virginia.
Free ATS Pick
The Mountaineers’ only loss this season came on the road to Oklahoma State, and they have registered wins over Texas Tech and Texas, among others. West Virginia has won a few close ones, and hope luck remains on their side in this showdown.
Oklahoma lost to Houston and Ohio State within the first three weeks of the season but has been strong since then. The Big 12 isn’t as strong this season as it has been in past years, but wins over West Virginia and nationally ranked Oklahoma State would keep the Sooners ascending up the rankings.
Oklahoma is the choice as West Virginia doesn’t have too many signature wins and could have trouble keeping up. The “over” is the choice in what could be a shootout.
College Football Odds: Oklahoma 38, West Virginia 31
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