Phil Steele is expecting a track meet when West Virginia meets TCU, and he isn’t shy about where he’d lean if he had to make a call.
Appearing Friday on the In the Gun Podcast, Steele broke down the matchup as one that could turn into points on both sides. He pointed to TCU’s Big 12 numbers on offense, noting the Horned Frogs are averaging 13 points per game and 310 yards per game in conference play, while also acknowledging the defenses they’ve already faced.
“They have taken on some pretty tough defenses. I think UCF’s defense is underrated.
BYU, of course, has a heck of a defense, and Baylor’s got a good defense this year as well. Now they’re taking on West Virginia’s defense, who much like Iowa State, will have a much better game.
But on the flip side, you look at TCU’s defense this year, it’s phenomenal. They’re holding opponents to 127 yards per game, below their average, No. 6 in the country.
But they haven’t taken on an offense like West Virginia this year. BYU was a bad weather game.
Baylor’s offense has struggled at times. North Carolina’s offense has struggled at times.
Same thing with UCF. So I think you’re going to see West Virginia’s offense have success against this TCU defense, and I think you’re going to see TCU’s offense have success.
It’s a West Virginia game, so I’m going to lean with the over in this one, but I think West Virginia definitely has a puncher’s chance here. Much like last week’s game, if you get the ball last, you have a chance at winning.
I think that’s the potential here as well. I think it’s going to be tough to beat TCU on the road, but the spread’s over a touchdown.
I would take West Virginia plus the points in a possible upset, but my favorite play here would be the over. I think both teams are going to put some points on the board.
Typical West Virginia game.”
FanDuel Sportsbook had the total at 57.5, and every West Virginia game this season has gone over its total. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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WVU Is Already Giving Fans A Reason To Pack Hope Coliseum Early
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For a program that knows how much the home-court edge can matter, the hope here is simple: give fans a reason to show up early and keep coming back. The nonconference schedule now has a clear sales pitch attached to it, and the next layer will come when the Big 12 promotional schedule is released in December, filling in the rest of the seasons picture at Hope Coliseum. [Read more 🡒]