The West Virginia Mountaineers will try to become the first team to beat the Oklahoma Sooners this season. Defeating the Sooners is going to be easier said than done for West Virginia, but can they pull it off? Or will Oklahoma add the Mountaineers to its list of victims in 2021? Check out our preview of this game below.
West Virginia scored its biggest win of the year thus far after taking down the No. 15 Virginia Tech Hokies at home, 27-21, over the weekend. That’s the first Mountaineers win against a ranked opponent this season and it came after a 66-0 blowout victory over FCS team Long Island University back in Week 2. The win over Virginia Tech also atones for West Virginia’s 30-24 road loss to the Maryland Terrapins in Week 1. The Mountaineers run game was smoking against the Hokies, with Leddie Brown rushing for 161 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He also rushed for 73 yards and a pair of TDs against Maryland. Oklahoma’s run defense has been solid so far, but West Virginia’s passing attack should keep the Sooners’ stop unit honest. The Sooners have allowed three passing touchdowns in two FBS games this season, three coming in Week 1 against the Tulane Green Wave. Oklahoma is just 112th nationally with 292.5 passing yards allowed per FBS game. Defensively, West Virginia is allowing 25.5 points per game.
West Virginia is 5-3 against the spread in its last eight games overall.
Oklahoma remains unblemished. The Sooners made sure of that by defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers last Saturday at home, 23-16. Oklahoma’s defense was merciless against the Cornhuskers, with the Sooners recording five sacks and an interception. In two games against FBS teams this season, the Sooners have already forced opponents to commit four turnovers. That’s the kind of pass rush that could wreak havoc in West Virginia’s backfield. The Mountaineers are just 78th in the nation with a 7.04 offensive quarterback sack percentage. On the flipside, Oklahoma is doing a fine job protecting Spencer Rattler. The Sooners have allowed just a sack to FBS teams this season. He’s been converting 74.7 percent of his passes for Oklahoma’s offense that is putting up 31.5 points per game. Against Nebraska, Rattler went 24/24 for 214 passing yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 35 yards and a TD on six carries. West Virginia’s defense will be in for a tough Saturday night in Norman.
Oklahoma is 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games overall.
