By: WV Sports Chat Staff
The West Virginia Mountaineers (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) limp into Houston on a brutal five-game skid, desperate for a spark after a gritty 23-17 home loss to TCU last week.
Meanwhile, the No. 22 Houston Cougars (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) are surging with three straight wins after a lone slip-up against Texas Tech, positioning themselves as playoff dark horses.
All of our WV Sports Chat staff members correctly picked TCU to beat West Virginia last weekend. Will anyone roll the dice and predict the Mountaineers to upset N0. 22 Houston on the road?
Season Standings:
- Jonathan K. Martin 5-3
- Justin “Couz” Walker 5-3
- Shanna Rose 4-4
- Cole Livengood 4-4
- James Gravely 3-5
Jonathan K. Martin | Despite not getting the win last week against TCU – West Virginia walked away a bit more confident about themselves.
The Scotty Fox to Cam Vaughn connection finally sparked and the Mountaineer defense rebounded after a brutal couple of weeks. The biggest questi is can they repeat that performance – on the road – against nationally ranked Houston.
I think WVU will be competitive this week – and likely keep it close until midway through the second half – but the Cougars are too stong, especially on defense, to make me think the Mountaineers can pull off the upset.
Houston 35 West Virginia 17
Justin “Couz” Walker | Situationally, this could be a good spot for the Mountaineers. Houston is ranked in the top 25 for the first time this season and sit at 7-1 overall (4-1 in Big 12 play). They are also coming off their biggest win of the year over number 24 Arizona State on the road. With a 2-6 WVU team coming into their stadium, it would be very easy for the Cougars to overlook Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers. However, I don’t see Houston coach Willie Fritz letting that happen.
The Cougars will also be honoring their late strength & conditioning coach Kurt Hester, who unfortunately lost his battle with cancer earlier this week. The Cougars will have something much larger to play for in his honor. They are also breaking out their black uniforms for the contest.
To add a level of difficulty to the situation for WVU football, Houston has one of the top defenses in the Big 12, especially when it comes to stopping the run.
While Houston’s offense is not explosive, and they have not played a difficult schedule, they are 7-1 for a reason. They are a solid football team with a really good coach.
West Virginia is 0-4 on the road and 0-5 in Big 12 play. I don’t see them getting in the win column this week. I just don’t see the WVU offense being able to do much against the stout Houston defense.
Houston 27 West Virginia 10
James Gravely | Another week. Another loss? No! I’m taking WVU in the upset over Houston.
I think some key pieces started to fall in the right place last week and I believe those pieces will be put into place this week. It won’t be easy, but WVU will edge this one out.
And surprisingly enough, the defense will record 2 takeaways that changes the momentum of the game. WVU wins this one with a game winning field goal.
West Virginia 23 Houston 21
Cole Livengood | West Virginia is officially entering the most difficult part of the season, and a 2-6 record going into it is not ideal. The Mountaineers will square off against a fiery Houston Cougars squad that’s looking to keep their name in the Big 12 title race. Sitting at 7-1 on the season and 4-1 in Big 12 play, the Cougars are currently third in the conference, only behind Cincinnati and BYU, who are undefeated in conference play.
The Mountaineers found some consistency at quarterback last week with Scotty Fox Jr., for the first time this entire season, Rich Rod stuck with a single passer for the entire game, and it worked out. Fox completed 28 of his 41 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns in the 23-17 loss to TCU.
I think West Virginia can keep this game close, but I still have to take Houston.
Houston 31 West Virginia 20
Shanna Rose | West Virginia is coming off a 23–17 loss to TCU last week. While moral victories don’t count, the Mountaineers showed improvement. Scotty Fox Jr. set a school record for a true freshman with 28 completions for 301 passing yards. Defensively, WVU performed better as well, recording two sacks on Josh Hoover — a first in conference play.
The Mountaineers will look to build on those positives this week, but No. 22 Houston will pose a tough challenge. Last weekend, the Cougars went into Tempe and knocked off No. 24 Arizona State. Quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 201 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 111 yards and two more scores. On the season, the junior is completing 63.7% of his 193 pass attempts for 1,581 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Running back Dean Connors leads the team in rushing with 586 yards, including a season-high 132 against his former team, Rice. Wide receiver Tanner Koziol has 43 receptions for 450 yards and four touchdowns, tied with junior wideout Amare Thomas for the team lead. Against the Sun Devils, Koziol caught seven passes for 100 yards and a score.
WVU will have its work cut out if it hopes to pull off an upset on the road and earn its first conference win.
Houston 35 West Virginia 24
Get a detailed preview of the game in the most recent Gold & Blue Breakdown show with our own Justin “Couz” Walker and Jonathan K. Martin.
