The Oklahoma State Cowboys nearly submarined their biggest rival’s chances of making it to the College Football Playoff last week in Bedlam. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State played a high-scoring shootout that saw both teams rack up a lot of yards and points. The game seemed destined for overtime when Oklahoma State scored while down seven with a minute left in the game, but Mike Gundy made the decision to go for two and the win rather than play for overtime. It didn’t pan out for the Cowboys, yet that won’t stop Gundy from reining things in against the West Virginia Mountaineers this week. West Virginia still has a chance to get into the playoff too, and any loss would ruin those hopes.
This contest in Week 12 will take place on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 3:30 p.m. ET at T. Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
West Virginia -5
Oklahoma State +5
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Odds Analysis
Although the Cowboys are 5-5, they are just a five-point underdog per the CFB betting odds against the Mountaineers in this one. West Virginia has had some issues on the road throughout the year, only beating Texas Tech by eight, Texas by one, and losing by 16 to Iowa State. That has the oddsmakers believing Oklahoma State has a much better chance than you would think.
The college football betting total for this game will be released on Monday afternoon. Look for a total in the mid- to high-70s considering how well these teams move the ball.
Matchup to Watch
When Big 12 teams meet, the quarterback play usually takes center stage, and this game will be no different. West Virginia has one of the best signal callers in the country in Will Grier. Grier has been somewhat overshadowed given the year other quarterbacks have been having, but NFL teams are in love with his ability. He has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, and he is averaging 9.9 yards per pass this year. Grier is not a real running threat, so if he doesn’t get protection, the Mountaineers fall apart on offense. If the offensive line blocks well though, he will pick you apart.
It’s been a tale of two seasons for Taylor Cornelius. Cornelius has waited his turn in Stillwater, serving as the team’s back-up quarterback in each of the last three seasons, so Gundy gave him the keys to the offense as a senior. He had some growing pains, and he made a number of mistakes, struggling with his accuracy at times through the first seven games of the season. However, Cornelius has come on strong in his last three games, accounting for 10 total touchdowns and not turning the ball over. That led to a win over Texas and a near upset over Oklahoma.
Player to Watch
David Sills V is a touchdown machine. Sills has been Grier’s top red zone target in each of the last two seasons, and he has been incredibly reliable over this time. He has caught 30 touchdown passes over that stretch, and his touchdown percentage is off the charts. A whopping 30 percent of his receptions resulted in touchdowns in 2017, and this year the number is 24 percent. The Cowboys must know where he is on the field, but especially inside the 30.
Live Betting Preview
The key in this one will be the play of West Virginia’s offensive line. Opponents have not been able to stop the Mountaineers when the line has given Grier time, so watch the unit for a series or two and see how they do in pass protection. Oklahoma State’s defensive line took a hit when Darrion Daniels was lost for the year, so I believe the Mountaineers will play well and light up the defense. Additionally, monitor the status of OSU star running back Justice Hill. He is listed as questionable due to a rib injury.
College Football Odds: West Virginia 45, Oklahoma State 35
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