West Virginia’s narrow escape against Cincinnati finally gave Mountaineer fans a reason to belt out John Denver and enjoy the weekend. After a 45-42 win that pushed WVU to 4-3 overall and handed the team its first Big 12 victory, the focus now shifts to the eighth and final stop in this long stretch before a bye week: a road trip to TCU.
The Horned Frogs are coming in off a 17-6 win over Baylor, a result that got them back to .500 on the season. That sets up a matchup that oddsmakers view through the lens of two very different trends. TCU is favored, which makes sense given West Virginia’s defensive issues, but the line is still close enough to suggest respect for the Mountaineers’ offense.
If anything, the number feels like it could creep a little higher before kickoff. WVU’s scoring output in Big 12 play has been strong enough to draw attention, as the Mountaineers are averaging 35.5 points in conference games. The offense has been good enough that it would be hard to imagine this spread ballooning past a touchdown.
The bigger question is what actually happens once the game starts. West Virginia’s offense has been elite, ranking eighth nationally, while TCU’s defense sits seventh nationally. On the other side, WVU’s defense has been a mess, checking in at 137th, and TCU’s scoring offense has lagged behind at 95th.
That mix points toward a game that could turn into a shootout rather than a slugfest. Based on what both teams have shown through four Big 12 games, TCU’s offense having a day feels more likely than West Virginia suddenly locking things down defensively.
The Frogs have already had final scores this season of 25, 70, 38, 34, 27, and 23, for an average of 36.2. West Virginia’s totals have been 55, 59, 65, 65, 87, 84, and 87, which comes out to 71.7.
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN2 and can be heard on Mountaineer Sports Network on the Varsity Network App.
In Other News...
WVU Put Up 45 But These Grades Exposed Bigger Problems
West Virginias offense gave plenty to like through seven games, and the Pro Football Focus grades back up what showed up on Saturdays. DJ Epps and Ryan Ward were among the brighter spots on that side of the ball, giving the Mountaineers some needed production as the season moved into its second half. Even with the offense carrying more of the load, the grades painted a broader picture of a team still trying to sort out where its strengths really are.
The deeper issue was on the other side of the ball, where the offensive line and several defensive groups drew lower marks. Injuries on the defensive line have only added to the strain, while linebackers and safeties have had a hard time holding up in pass coverage. For West Virginia, the concern is not just about one bad showing, but whether those breakdowns are becoming a pattern the staff has to solve quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Hawkins Jr. Just Answered WVUs Biggest Offensive Question
Michael Hawkins Jr. gave West Virginia the kind of offensive lift it had been searching for against Cincinnati, and he did it in a way that showed both control and explosion. He completed 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, then added 77 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground as Rich Rodriguez shifted the offense toward the passing game and let the Mountaineers attack vertically.
Prince Strachan was a big part of that change in rhythm, with deep completions helping stretch the field and set up scoring chances. West Virginia still had to finish the job the hard way, and the defense delivered a crucial late stop, including snuffing out a fake punt, to help lock in a win that felt like more than just one good night for the offense. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginia Finally Broke Through But One Concern Isn't Going Away
West Virginia finally snapped its skid Saturday with a 45-42 win over Cincinnati, a result that gave the Mountaineers their first victory since Sept. 19 and pushed them to 4-3. It was the kind of needed response that can steady a team in midseason, especially with Mike Hawkins Jr. delivering one of the biggest passing days of the year and DJ Epps doing major damage downfield.
Mike Hawkins Jr. was nearly unstoppable, completing 25 of 33 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns while adding 77 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. Epps was just as central to the offense, catching eight passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, but even in a breakthrough win, the way West Virginia won made clear there is still plenty to sort out moving forward. [Read more 🡒]