By: WV Sports Chat Staff
The West Virginia Mountaineers (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) return to Morgantown after snapping a five-game skid, beating Houston 45-35 on the road last weekend.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Buffaloes (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) are looking to get back on track after losing two straight games to Utah and Arizona.
Just one member of our WV Sports Chat staff, James Gravely, correctly picked the Mountaineers to upset Houston on the road last weekend. Will there be more agreement with the picks this weekend?
Season Standings:
- Jonathan K. Martin 5-4
- Justin “Couz” Walker 5-4
- Shanna Rose 4-5
- Cole Livengood 4-5
- James Gravely 4-5
Jonathan K. Martin | Is West Virginia back? Kidding, of course. However, the Mountaineers are feeling much better about themselves about beating then-No. 22 Houston on the road last week 45-35.
You getting the feeling Rich Rodriguez has found himself a QB in Scotty Fox Jr. and a running game with Diore Hubbard. In addition, the offensive line had their best game of the season as a unit.
Colorado, meanwhile, is reeling after back-to-back blowouts (outscored 105-24 by Utah and Arizona) and boasts the Big 12’s worst run defense, surrendering 218 yards per game.
Coach Prime will hand the reins to five-star true freshman QB Julian Lewis for his debut start—a tall task in chilly Morgantown against a WVU defense that’s forced turnovers in recent weeks.
This game has all the makings of West Virginia continuing their upward trend and keeping their bowl hopes alive.
West Virginia 31 Colorado 27
Justin “Couz” Walker | The West Virginia Mountaineers are welcoming the Colorado Buffaloes to Morgantown on Saturday, November 8 for a Big 12 football matchup. Both teams enter the contest at 3-6 (1-5), but seem to be headed in opposite directions. Coach Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes have allowed over 50 points in two straight blowout losses. Meanwhile, Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers are coming off their first Big 12 win of the season; a 45-35 victory on the road against a ranked Houston Cougars squad.
This game will feature two freshmen quarterbacks. Scotty Fox Jr. will start for WVU. After being thrust into action due to injuries to the veteran quarterbacks ahead of him, the Ohio native is coming off two solid performances. He threw for over 300 yards in a loss at home against TCU. He then accounted for three scores in last week’s win at Houston.
Former five-star recruit Julian Lewis is getting the start for Colorado. Sanders is going to the true freshman after his offense has struggled the previous two weeks. Lewis will replace Kaiden Salter, the transfer from Liberty who had started most of the season for the Buffs.
With Colorado trending in the wrong direction and WVU seemingly starting to figure things out, I have to go with the Mountaineers on this one.
West Virginia 35 Colorado 24
James Gravely | West Virginia comes into this week on a high after the upset win over Houston. I now believe Rich Rod has found his QB in Scotty Fox and his running back in Diore Hubbard.
I think WVU keeps things rolling and rolls over the Buffaloes. I believe with Colorado starting a new QB it will be a pressure tight game for CU. I think WVU wins this game with the defense recording two pick-six and Fox throwing for 200-plus yards.
West Virginia 38 Colorado 14
Cole Livengood | The Mountaineers carry nothing but momentum into this game against the Deion Sanders-led Buffalo. Following a 45-35 upset victory over #22 Houston, West Virginia has found their answer at quarterback for the foreseeable future in Scotty Fox Jr.
It took longer than most fans would have wanted to find that answer, but with three games left, there is still some hope of making a bowl game; it may be slim, but hope, nonetheless. The Mountaineers have a great chance of keeping that momentum alive this week against a struggling Colorado team that is also fighting for their bowl eligibility.
The Buffaloes enter this week after two brutal losses against Utah and Arizona where they were outscored 105-24. Colorado is one of three teams in the Big 12, including West Virginia to be winless on the road this season.
I think the Mountaineers have what it takes to get the job done and keep their bowl hopes alive.
West Virginia 27 Colorado 17
Shanna Rose | West Virginia is coming off a much-needed 45–35 win over then-No. 22 Houston last week — a victory that serves as a major morale booster for the Mountaineers. This week, Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes come to Morgantown as WVU looks to build on its momentum.
Quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. is settling into his QB1 role and delivered a strong performance against Houston, throwing for 157 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 65 yards and two scores. Running back Diore Hubbard continues to show growth as well, posting 108 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, WVU has taken steps forward the past two weeks. The Mountaineers forced three turnovers last week and also capitalized on a muffed punt by the Cougars. While the defense didn’t completely shut Houston down, it was a noticeable improvement. Colorado, meanwhile, is trending in the opposite direction.
The Buffaloes suffered a 52–17 loss to Arizona on Saturday and have dropped their last two games by a combined score of 105–24. Sitting at 3–6, they will turn to a new starting quarterback this week. Sanders rotated three quarterbacks against the Wildcats and now plans to start true freshman Julian Lewis, a former five-star recruit. Lewis completed 11 of 21 passes for 129 yards last week. Colorado still boasts dangerous playmakers in the passing game.
Wide receiver Omarion Miller is a key weapon with 28 receptions for 521 yards and six touchdowns. Joseph Williams adds another threat, recording 27 catches for 386 yards and three scores. On defense, safety Tawfiq Byard leads the Buffaloes with 63 tackles, but his absence in the first half due to a targeting penalty against Arizona could create opportunities for WVU’s offense.
Given the momentum and home-field advantage, I like the Mountaineers’ chances to take this one.
West Virginia 35 Colorado 24
