By: WV Sports Chat Staff
The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) close out their season hosting the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) at Milan Puskar Stadium. The game will kickoff at Noon ET and will be televised on ESPN.
The Mountaineers, coming off a tough 25-23 road loss to Arizona State two weeks ago, have shown fight in recent weeks—nearly pulling upsets in four straight close calls under coach Rich Rodriguez.
But they’ll face a juggernaut: Texas Tech, tied atop the Big 12 with BYU, has reeled off four straight wins, including a 48-9 dismantling of UCF, and eyes the conference title game (and CFP berth) with a victory.
Only one of our WV Sports Chat staff members (Jonathan) correctly picked West Virginia to fall on the road against Arizona State. Will anyone be bold enough to pick the Mountaineers to pull off the upset this weekend?
Season Standings:
- Jonathan K. Martin 7-4
- Justin “Couz” Walker 6-5
- Shanna Rose 5-6
- Cole Livengood 5-6
- James Gravely 5-6
Jonathan K. Martin | It’s the season finale for West Virginia, closing out what’s been a disappointing season under returning head coach Rich Rodriguez. However, the Mountaineers have one final opportunity to go out with a bang – upsetting No. 5 Texas Tech.
Texas Tech clearly has more to play for. The Red Raiders are hoping to clinch a spot in the Big 12 championship game and the CFP with a win.
I do think West Virginia will keep this game closer than the experts think. The season finale, seniors playing their last game in a Mountaineer uniform, the opportunity for the upset of the season, and the cold weather will all play in their favor. However, I think Texas Tech is just too good.
Texas Tech 35 West Virginia 17
Justin “Couz” Walker | The 4-7 Mountaineers are welcoming a very talented 10-1 Texas Tech team to Morgantown on Saturday. The Red Raiders can clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game and possibly the CFP with a win.
While WVU does not have as much to play for, you can bet Rich Rodriguez will do everything possible to motivate the team to go out and try to get a win and send the seniors off on a high note for senior day.
However, that will be a tough task. This Texas Tech defense is one of the best in all of college football. They lead the country in rushing yards allowed per game. They are top ten nationally in team sacks, tackles for loss and third down conversion defense. It will be a tough task for true freshman Scotty Fox and the Mountaineer offense to move the ball against the Red Raiders.
Bottom line, this is a tough matchup for WVU. Texas Tech is ranked number 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings for a reason. They are super talented and have a lot more continuity on their staff and on their roster. They are also dealing with less injuries. Lastly, they have a veteran quarterback in Behren Morton and arguably the best defensive player in the country in linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Add all of that up and it’s hard to justify picking the Mountaineers. I have WVU playing hard, but not having enough to get the win.
Texas Tech 37 West Virginia 20
Cole Livengood | Both West Virginia and Texas Tech enter this game with nothing else to play for in the regular season. The Red Raiders clinched their ticket to Arlington last night after #25 Arizona knocked off #20 Arizona State in Tempe, so regardless of what happens today, Texas Tech is in the Big 12 title game.
The Mountaineers enter today off a bye week and are playing for nothing but pride after the Sun Devils ended their postseason hopes two weeks ago. A win today over the Red Raiders would be the biggest home upset since the Mountaineers knocked off #4 Baylor back in 2014.
I think Texas Tech handles this one soundly.
Texas Tech 38 West Virginia 10
Shanna Rose | Texas Tech heads to Morgantown with a Big 12 title game berth on the line, knowing a win secures a trip to Arlington and keeps its College Football Playoff hopes intact. The Red Raiders enter at 10–1 with one of the nation’s most complete statistical profiles, averaging 42.6 points per game while allowing just 12.3. Quarterback Behren Morton is managing a leg injury, but he continues to guide a balanced offense supported by receivers Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin, along with running backs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams. Defensively, Texas Tech has been dominant, piling up 33 sacks behind standout linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and a transfer-fueled front led by David Bailey and Romello Height.
WVU, sitting at 4–7, wraps up Rich Rodriguez’s first season back with a chance to play spoiler on Senior Day. The Mountaineers will rely on their rushing attack to control tempo, but they’ll face their toughest defensive front of the season. WVU’s secondary has struggled against high-powered passing games, a concern against a Red Raiders’ offense averaging nearly 288 yards through the air. To keep this one competitive, the Mountaineers will need sustained drives, turnovers and explosive plays.
Texas Tech holds clear statistical advantages across scoring, yardage, third-down efficiency and total defense, and its deep, transfer-built roster has delivered all season. WVU has played better at home and in recent weeks, but matching the Red Raiders’ depth and explosiveness will require a near-perfect performance.
Texas Tech 35 West Virginia 21
