Two of the hottest teams in the Big 12 will meet in a pivotal conference matchup. The TCU Horned Frogs and the West Virginia Mountaineers have been dominant offensively, outscoring their opponents by a total of 199-73 in the past two weeks. Which team will come out on top to further their bids for the Big 12 championship? Read on as we breakdown this crucial showdown.
For more college football action, check out the best games to watch in Week 10 of the 2014 NCAA season as well as the big SEC game between the Auburn Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]TCU Horned Frogs vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Preview
Where: Mountaineer Field, West Virginia
When: Saturday, November 1, TBA
Line: TCU Horned Frogs (-6) at West Virginia Mountaineers (+6) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the TCU Horned Frogs
The TCU Horned Frogs set a new program record for points in their massive 82-27 blowout win over visiting Texas Tech. TCU scored 30 unanswered points in the second half, pushing the total over for the fourth time in five games.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Quarterback Trevone Boykin set a career-high 433 yards passing as well as a school-record seven touchdown passes in one game. Boykin had success with deep passes as wide receiver Josh Doctson caught a 51-yard scoring pass in the first quarter and Deante Gray, who led the team with 165 yards and two scores, had a 92-yard touchdown reception in the third. Doctson is doubtful to take part in this matchup after leaving the game against Texas Tech in crutches.
On the ground, running back Aaron Green was close to unstoppable. He needed only six handoffs for 105 yards and a score in his first career 100-yard game.
Look for an all-around assault from the Horned Frogs against West Virginia defense which allowed a total of 436 yards against Oklahoma State, including 194 on the ground. Green should be able to have another big game against West Virginia’s front seven, while Boykin’s deep passes should keep their opponents off-balance.
On the other side of the ball, safeties Chris Hackett and Sam Carter each had an interception against the Red Raiders. However, their pass rush only managed one sack by defensive tackle Terrell Lathan despite their dominant display. Having a low-output pass rush may prove costly against West Virginia as QB Clint Trickett has been efficient completing 67.7 percent of his passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns in back-to-back victories over Baylor and Oklahoma State.
Still, the Horned Frogs may have a chance to get past West Virginia’s offensive line, which has allowed a total of seven sacks in their last two victories. The Horned Frogs are not short on talent in the pass rush as defensive linemen Mike Tuaua, James McFarland and linebacker Davion Pierson have 12.5 sacks between them in the season.
The TCU Horned Frogs are 7-0 ATS this season.
Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers
Filling in for an injured Rushel Shell, sophomore running back Wendell Smallwood set a career-high 132 yards on 23 carries, while quarterback Clint Trickett passed for 238 yards and two touchdowns to give West Virginia their fourth-straight win, a 34-10 trumping of Oklahoma State.
The Mountaineers managed to come out with the win despite wide receiver Kevin White breaking his streak of seven straight games with at least 100 receiving yards. White had three catches for 27 yards against Oklahoma State, after leading the nation with 1,020 yards through his first seven games. Picking up the slack was receiver Mario Alford who caught seven passes for a season-high 136 yards.
With those talented playmakers at his disposal, Trickett should be able to test TCU’s secondary, which allowed 345 yards in a blowout win against Texas Tech. Trickett will be able to gain considerable yardage should the Horned Frogs’ pass rush fail to establish themselves again.
West Virginia’s offense wasn’t the only one clicking on the field. Their defense had three sacks, while cornerback Dravon Henry had two interceptions. Defensive lineman Shaquille Riddick leads the Mountaineers’ pass rush with five sacks in eight games, four coming from home games. He should be able to challenge TCU’s offensive line which allows 1.5 sacks per game.
The total has gone under in West Virginia’s last four games.
Writer’s Prediction
The TCU Horned Frogs (-6) take the game, but West Virginia keep this close until the end. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the college football action.
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