The West Virginia Mountaineers are one of only 11 undefeated teams remaining in college football, but will get a big challenge in Week 7. West Virginia will travel to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a game that is a virtual toss-up.
While the teams have different strengths, they are rated very evenly as West Virginia will enter as the slimmest of road favorites. If the Mountaineers can emerge victorious, they will remain near the top of the Big 12 standings and move up the national rankings.
This matchup in Week 7 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Jones AT&T Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
West Virginia -1
Texas Tech +1
Over/Under 83
Odds Analysis
The bettors are backing West Virginia in a game that is close to a pick-’em. The Mountaineers are currently taking 56 percent of the action to cover the small spread.
The scoring total is extremely high because of Texas Tech’s propensity for getting into entertaining shootouts. Even though the over-under is already accounting for that, the betting public is still hitting the “over” hard.
Player to Watch
Patrick Mahomes III - The Texas Tech quarterback has thrown for 400-plus yards in four games already this season behind the pass-heavy Texas Tech offense. Last week in the loss to Kansas State, he finished with 504 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Mahomes has a 72.8 completion percentage currently. On the season, he has thrown for 2,274 yards for 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. There is little question the passing game is going to put up big numbers, even though West Virginia is only allowing 20 points and 227 passing yards per game.
The Mountaineers will aim to limit the damage and also force a lot of turnovers, since there will be plenty of opportunities to do so.
Key stat
187.3. That’s the number of rushing yards per game West Virginia averages, and the Mountaineers could be in for a big day on the ground. Texas Tech’s defense has to be on the field for a lot of plays since all of its offense’s passing extends the game.
The team tends to wear down and West Virginia will aim to take advantage. West Virginia’s leading rusher is Justin Crawford. He has 60 carries this season for 331 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas Tech gives up 179.4 yards per game on the ground and will need to stop the Mountaineers at critical junctures in order to get this win.
Free ATS Pick
West Virginia beat BYU and Kansas by a combined four points in its past two games. The Mountaineers can’t count on winning close games the rest of the way so they hope to play well from start to finish in this one.
West Virginia sits alongside Baylor and Oklahoma as the final undefeated teams in the Big 12. Few expect the Mountaineers to stick there moving forward but they can make a statement with another win in this one.
While Texas Tech’s record isn’t as shiny, it has a better point-differential and has outgained opponents by more than 200 yards per game. This one could come down to turnovers. If Mahomes can take care of the ball, the Red Raiders have a good chance at defending their home turf.
West Virginia won’t be undefeated any longer after this one concludes. Take Texas Tech as the slight home underdog to cover this spread. While the “over” is enticing because of the style of ball being played in this one, it is just too high. The correct call is the “under” as there will be enough stops for this one not to get out of hand.
College Football Odds: Texas Tech 42, West Virginia 38
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