WEST VIRGINIA PASS OFFENSE VS TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Compared to last year, quarterback Skyler Howard is a much more improved than he was with the intermediate and short routes. Howard has always thrown a pretty good deep ball, but this year he's been more accurate and efficient on the underneath stuff and has upped his completion percentage to 65 percent. WVU has a lot of experience at wide receiver. Pretty much everybody is back from last year. There's talent in the outside guys in Shelton Gibson and Ka'Raun White, the younger brother of Kevin White. Jovon Durante has been pretty good in the slot. The most dependable guy, the one who has been moving the chains, is senior Daikiel Shorts. He's playing best ball of his career and is on pace for 1,000 yards. Overall, the passing game is a lot better than it was last year.
Edge: West Virginia **
WEST VIRGINIA RUN OFFENSE VS TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
This is a pretty balanced offense with the running and passing game. It's not a typical air-raid look that WVU has shown in other years. The Mountaineers are still running more than passing at about a 55/45 split. They have three running backs they depend on - Justin Crawford, a Juco all-American, freshman Kennedy McKoy and Rushel Shell. All three have dealt with bumps and bruises this year and Shell is supposed to be a game-time decision. Crawford and McKoy are more like Wendell Smallwood, while Shell is more of a physical back. QB Howard also factors into the run game. WVU has run it effectively on everybody they've played against, so overall it's been a pretty effective ground game. West Virginia ranks third in the conference in rushing yards per game, behind Baylor and Texas.
Edge: West Virginia *
WEST VIRGINIA OFFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
West Virginia features a really experienced group up front, with three seniors, a redshirt junior and a redshirt freshman at right tackle. Tyler Orlosky, an all-Amercan candidate at center, is the engine that makes things go. The Mountaineers have had had really good guard play this year from Tony Matteo Kyle Bosch. The pass protection has been much better than last year when they couldn't keep people out of the backfield. The line does sometimes struggle with teams that bring various pressures. WVU gave up 1 sack in first three game, 4 against KSU, had some issues against Oklahoma State and TCU gave them problems with 5 sacks. The Mountaineers are second in the league in sacks given up.
Edge: West Virginia *
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE VS WEST VIRGINIA PASS DEFENSE
Statistically, West Virginia's pass defense has been pretty good - a lot better than anybody expected coming into the season after losing nine players from last year, including the best player, Dravon Askew-Henry, who was lost in the preseason. WVU ranks fifth in the conference in passing yards given up per game but actually ranks second in pass efficiency defense. The secondary has exceeded expectations and those who cover the team have kind of been waiting for it to come back to earth, but the group has continued to play well. WVU has had issues when it has brought pressure and teams have hit the defense with inside pass plays, so it will be interesting to see if Texas attacks the middle of the field. Corner Rasul Douglas has been standout in the secondary with 5 interceptions. The other cornerback spot has been a rotation due to injuries.
Edge: Texas *
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE VS WEST VIRGINIA RUN DEFENSE
This could be the match-up that ultimately determines the game. WVU's run defense is pretty solid overall, but has been kind of hit or miss this year. The defense has had occasional struggles with bigger backs, so the Mountaineers will have to rally to the ball to slow down D'Onta Foreman. Don't be surprised if WVU cheats towards the line of scrimmage in an attempt to slow Texas' ground game down and tries to make UT throw over the top.
Edge: Texas ***
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE VS WEST VIRGINIA DEFENSIVE LINE
WVU runs a 3-3-5 so it's hard to judge the line based off stats. But overall, this is a pretty solid group with two returning starters. Defensive end Noble Nwachukwu is playing at a high level, and DE Christian Brown and NT Darrien Howard are both playing pretty well. The defensive line's job in this set isn't necessarily to rack up big play, but more to occupy blockers allow others to make plays in space. Overall, the Mountaineers' three-man line has done a pretty good job with that.
Edge: Texas *
SPECIAL TEAMS
WVU' special teams has been a bit of an adventure. If the team has an Achilles heel, it's been the special teams. There hasn't been a play that's lost the Mountaineers a game, but a couple have been close. Kicker Mike Molina hasn't necessarily struggled, but he hasn't been great either and has missed a FG in four consecutive game. WVU has also had issues covering kicks (last in the Big 12).
Edge: Texas **
INTANGIBLES
Texas should come into this game with a ton of confidence and momentum after picking up back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the year. The Longhorns return home, where they play much better, and the team knows there's still work to be done to quiet the critics. West Virginia is still playing for the conference crown so it will have plenty of incentive, and the Mountaineers aren't the type of team that's going to be intimidated on the road (although they did struggle at Oklahoma State).
Edge: Texas *
