by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Sep 23, 2021
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 25, 2021
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Where to watch: ABC
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Oklahoma -17; O/U 55.5; Oklahoma -800, West Virginia +550
BetMGM: Oklahoma -17.5; O/U 56; Oklahoma -833, West Virginia +575
Caesars: Oklahoma -17; O/U 56.5; Oklahoma -900, West Virginia +600
Season record
West Virginia: 2-1
No. 4 Oklahoma: 3-0
Team Del Genio was a PERFECT 4-0 in all-sports on Saturday to further a 9 of 11 (82%) HOT STREAK this week, WINNING their 25* NCAA-F Pac-12 Game of the Month with USC and their 25* NCAA-F Saturday TV Total of the Month with the ASU/BYU under! Catch Del Genio’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
West Virginia - Oklahoma preview and analysis
Recent form
West Virginia: won 27-21 vs. No. 15 Virginia Tech on Sept. 18
Oklahoma: won 23-16 vs. Nebraska on Sept. 18
I’m not a believer in the Oklahoma Sooners, and especially after how last week transpired, taking the West Virginia Mountaineers to cover is not ridiculous.
Look, it’s easy to understand why. Oklahoma is the No. 4 team in the country and will be a contender for the College Football Playoff when the calendar hits December.
But it’s September and at the moment the Sooners don’t look the part. We’ve waited for that dominant offensive performance from supposed Heisman candidate quarterback Spencer Rattler. Instead, what we’ve seen is two failures to cover and one-score wins over the likes of the Tulane Green Wave and Nebraska Cornhuskers.
As far as offenses go, the Oklahoma offense should be 10 times better than what it is right now. It’s averaging 487.3 YPG while allowing only 319.3 per game. So someone needs to explain how the Sooners put up only 23 points and Rattler threw for only 214 yards and a touchdown against the Huskers.
The only saving grace for Oklahoma should be West Virginia’s pass defense giving up over 300 yards in the Mountaineers’ lone loss to the Maryland Terrapins. Since then, a 66-0 win over FCS Long Island and the shocking upset of the No. 15 Virginia Tech Hokies has put WVU’s pass defense in a great spot.
Even while gifted three home games to begin the season, Oklahoma has not been able to string together an impressive performance offensively and that’s a major concern. If it’s not going to be a problem now, it will be later when it faces teams like Iowa State, or even a rivalry game such as Texas.
Prediction
West Virginia’s win over Virginia Tech last week was unbelievably impressive. The Mountaineers had six sacks last week, and if they force Rattler to beat them, there hasn’t been enough evidence to suggest he can do it … yet. The Sooners have won all eight meetings since West Virginia joined the Big 12, but it won’t be anything like the 52-14 victory in Norman in 2019. Oklahoma by 14, but West Virginia covers
Betting trends
Oklahoma is 5-0-1 in its last six against the spread against West Virginia.
West Virginia is 6-7 in its last 13 ATS as a road underdog.
West Virginia is 7-1 ATS in games after forcing no turnovers the game prior.
Oklahoma is 24-3 straight up in its last 27 as a favorite, but only 14-13 ATS. As a home favorite, Oklahoma is 7-7 ATS in its last 14.
Players to watch
West Virginia: Leddie Brown can be the reason why the Mountaineers can keep this game close. He single handedly beat West Virginia by himself with 161 yards on 19 carries and an 80-yard touchdown. One way to kill the clock and get points: give the ball to your superstar running back.
Oklahoma: The Sooners accounted for five sacks last week, and two of them came from Nik Bonito. He had five tackles to go along with more QB pressure.
Statistical leaders
West Virginia:
Passing: Jarret Doege -- 729 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Leddie Brown -- 265 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Sam James -- 166 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Jared Bartlett -- 3 sacks
Oklahoma:
Passing: Spencer Rattler -- 761 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Kennedy Brooks -- 210 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Marvin Mims -- 168 yards
Defense: Three tied -- 2.5 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
