The college football season rolls along this week with a number of notable matchups across the Power 4 and Group of 6 ranks. The Big 12 is host to one such contest, as we’ll see the West Virginia Mountaineers take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a game that should produce plenty of fireworks.
West Virginia enters this game fresh off a much-needed bye week following a pair of victories over Cincinnati and TCU. On the other side, Texas Tech is coming off a confidence-building win over Arizona in Lubbock — one that put the Red Raiders back in the Big 12 title hunt. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for Saturday’s college football game between West Virginia and Texas Tech.
Texas Tech is a 16.5-point favorite for this matchup with the total listed at 67.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s dig into the odds and my best bet on Saturday’s matchup, and don’t miss our complete coverage of all of the Week 10 college football action at DraftKings Network.
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West Virginia vs. Texas Tech Prediction
Both of these teams have already had very eventful seasons, and we should see a vintage Big 12 game filled with plenty of points and explosive plays throughout. West Virginia games are typically not for the faint of heart thanks to its explosive offense and a defense that doesn’t exactly do much of anything to slow down the opponent. The Mountaineers have been involved in nothing but shootouts to this point, with at least 65 total points scored in five of their last six contests.
Michael Hawkins Jr. is a player that has taken to life in Rich Rodriguez’s offense, and he’s flourished under center in his first year in this new system, racking up 28 total touchdowns — including 16 on the ground — to just two interceptions. The Oklahoma transfer leads a Mountaineers offense that is averaging over 35 points per game this season, while sitting at 20th in EPA per play and inside the top 10 in EPA per rush.
While Texas Tech’s defense is a step up in class compared to some of the units that West Virginia has played recently, the Red Raiders still allowed Cincinnati to run all over them to the tune of 255 rushing yards just two weeks ago — a Bearcats team that West Virginia beat in Morgantown the week prior. Texas Tech also struggled against the likes of Oregon State and Houston, a pair of offenses that are also inside the top 25 in a variety of metrics. It wouldn’t shock me if West Virginia’s offense reached 30 points once again on Saturday.
On the other side of the ball, the Mountaineers defense is one of the worst units in the Power 4 at the moment and I have no doubt that they will surrender plenty of chunk plays and points in this game. However, the Texas Tech offense is one that has real difficultly pushing the ball downfield and should look to lean on the strengths of Thomas Castellanos. That means we can expect plenty of early down runs and longer drives that chew up clock. That leads to a game script that inherently favors the underdog catching a big number.
West Virginia vs Texas Tech Best Bet
West Virginia has proven to be a feisty ‘dog this season, having won games away from home against TCU and West Virginia as an underdog of over a touchdown. This defense will give up plenty of points, but I trust in Hawkins and Cam Cook to do enough to stay within two possessions in what could turn into a wild shootout to finish Saturday’s massive slate.