By: WV Sports Chat Staff
The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) have won two games in a row after beating Houston and Colorado.
Meanwhile, the Arizona State Sun Devils (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) return home after an upset win on the road against Iowa State.
All of our WV Sports Chat staffers correctly predicted West Virginia to beat Colorado last week. However, things get a bit trickier this weekend with the Mountaineers heading west to face Arizona State. Does anyone know think WVU can win three in a row?
Season Standings:
- Jonathan K. Martin 6-4
- Justin “Couz” Walker 6-4
- Shanna Rose 5-5
- Cole Livengood 5-5
- James Gravely 5-5
Jonathan K. Martin | West Virginia is coming off back to back wins for the first time all season and is looking to keep their bowl hopes alive.
The Mountaineers have found something in quarterback Scotty Fox and running back Diore Hubbard – and the offensive line has been better of late.
Defensively, the Mountaineers have been much better. Last week, they recorded seven sacks and will look to keep pressure on Arizona State backup quarterback Jeff Simms.
While I do believe this is a decent matchup for West Virginia, I think the Sun Devils will do just enough at home to get the job done.
Arizona State 28 West Virginia 17
Justin “Couz” Walker | On paper, I really like this matchup for the Mountaineers. The WVU defense has struggled to stop the pass, but ASU’s star quarterback Sam Leavitt is out for the season. The Sun Devils are also without wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
It will be up to veteran quarterback Jeff Sims to run the ASU offense. He is known more for his legs than his arm. If the WVU defense can contain him in the run game, I like their chances.
Defensively, Arizona State is good. They are one of the best tackling teams in the Big 12, so yards may be hard to come by for players like Diore Hubbard.
That being said, I really like the trajectory of this Mountaineer team and have a good feeling about this game. Even though Arizona State is coming off a bye and are the home team, I have West Virginia getting the win.
West Virginia 31 Arizona State 27
James Gravely | West Virginia enters this game on a two game winning streak, finding its groove and making strides to at least try and make a bowl game. This game against Arizona State will be tougher than its last two combined.
However, West Virginia, with Scotty Fox under center, wins this game in a thriller.
West Virginia 45 Arizona State 38
Cole Livengood | Coming off two impressive wins over Houston and Colorado, the Mountaineers postseason aspirations are on the table this week vs Arizona State. The Sun Devils are coming off an impressive victory over Iowa State led by backup Quarterback Jeff Sim.
The biggest concern for the Mountaineers this week will be containing Sims, the senior recorded 228 rush yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Sims was also a very capable passer vs the Cyclones, with 177 yards and a touchdown through the air.
I think West Virginia keeps their bowl eligibility alive.
West Virginia 28 Arizona State 24
Shanna Rose | WVU enters this week riding a two-game winning streak and showing steady improvement over the last three weeks. True freshman quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. continues to settle into the offense and emerge as a reliable playmaker.
Against TCU, he completed 28-of-41 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns. In the Mountaineers’ win over Houston, he totaled 222 all-purpose yards and three scores. Last week in the 29–22 victory over Colorado, Fox overcame two early interceptions to finish with 202 passing yards and a touchdown. Another freshman excelling under pressure is running back Diore Hubbard. He rushed for 108 yards against Houston and followed that with 94 yards versus Colorado, earning back-to-back Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors.
Defensively, WVU has taken major strides. After failing to record a sack in the first four games, the Mountaineers exploded for a season-high seven against Colorado. The run defense has been equally impressive, holding its last three opponents under 100 rushing yards. The Buffaloes managed just 51 yards on 38 carries.
Arizona State, last year’s Big 12 champion, has been hampered by injuries throughout the season. Quarterback Sam Leavitt remains out with a foot injury, and top wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has been ruled out for Saturday. Even so, the Sun Devils are far from depleted. Veteran quarterback Jeff Simms has stepped up in Leavitt’s absence, rushing for 228 yards and throwing for 177 in last week’s win over Iowa State.
Over his six-year career, he has thrown for 5,273 yards and 33 touchdowns while adding 1,786 rushing yards. Running back Raleek Brown leads the team with 770 rushing yards.
The Mountaineers will face a tough challenge, but if they maintain their recent level of play, they have every opportunity to come away with a win.
West Virginia 27 Arizona State 24
