A fistful of questions as No. 9 West Virginia visits Oklahoma State on Saturday:
It’s gotta be a shootout, right?
The Mountaineers rank 10th nationally in scoring (40.9) and the Cowboys stand 13th (39.2). Both units also are elite in terms of that sometimes overlooked stat, yards-per-play, with WVU averaging 7.26 and OSU putting up 6.64.
Will Grier and Taylor Cornelius are two of the most efficient quarterbacks in the Big 12 (trailing only Kyler Murray), and each can target a Biletnikoff semifinalist. Plus, both offenses are somewhat balanced by top-50 rushing attacks.
Can we just say the first team to 45 wins?
Not so fast, my friend.
The under has been the strong play in four of the last five meetings — last year’s 50-39 OSU win being the exception.
Can we stop asking Dana Holgorsen to ruminate on Stillwater?
OK, that was a rhetorical question, with a bit of pleading inserted.
The annual rite of WVU-Oklahoma State week features a media member questioning Holgorsen about the impact of his season under Mike Gundy. It happened again Tuesday, leading to a classically dismissive Holgorsen response:
“I can’t remember, it was too long ago. I’ve been here eight years now, right? My one year in Stillwater was nine years ago in a hotel room. I don’t remember a lot about it.”
Actually, his “year” in Stillwater amounted to only 11 months. Gundy announced on Jan. 15, 2010, that he was bringing aboard Holgorsen as offensive coordinator. By Dec. 16, 2010, West Virginia announced it had hired Holgorsen as its coach-in-waiting.
How much starch do the Pokes have left?
They’re ninth in the Big 12 standings. Their best postseason scenario involves a middling bowl. They delivered a valiant effort in Norman last week and came home with nothing to show for it.
It’s difficult to envision OSU being emotionally stimulated at this point. There is the Senior Day X-factor, though.
“We are going to make sure this is the best memory of [the seniors’] last home game,” OSU cornerback Rodarius Williams said. “We are going to compete every play and make those guys feel us.”
WVU has much more at stake, including a Big 12 championship and an outside shot at the CFP.
Where are the holes in Oklahoma State’s defense?
Well, they’re sorta everywhere, with the exception of top-flight defensive end Jordan Brailford.
Last season, OSU gave up 29.4 points and 409 yards per game, which effectively ended the run of longtime coordinator Glenn Spencer.
Gundy’s decision to bring in Duke’s Jim Knowles hasn’t immediately paid off: The Cowboys are now allowing 31.7 points and 426 yards.
Thanks to Branford, sacks are up substantially (from 2.3 per game to 3.6). But turnovers have plummeted.
Last year’s defense produced 24 takeaways, including five in Morgantown where Grier was intercepted four times. This season, OSU has a meager 10 takeaways, ranking 113th nationally.
Who should WVU fans cheer: Texas or Iowa State?
You need flash cards to sort out the scenarios involving four teams fighting for two spots in the Big 12 title game.
If you have faith in West Virginia winning its final two regular-season games, root for Texas. That potentially would set up a Mountaineers-Longhorns rematch in Arlington, which avoids back-to-back games against Oklahoma.
If you predict WVU beating OSU but losing to the Sooners, root for Texas. That allows West Virginia to skirt the head-to-head tiebreaker vs. Iowa State.
However, if you foresee WVU losing at OSU and then beating OU, root for the Cyclones this week. That could pave the way to a West Virginia-Iowa State rematch on Dec. 1.
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