Tag: texas west virginia

Texas DC Pete Kwiatkowski helps Texas top West Virginia, 38-20

Kwiatkowski’s incorporation of tight man coverage lifts Texas past West Virginia.

A tumultuous week had an uneventful finish on Saturday. After last week’s overtime loss, the Texas Longhorns responded in a big way defeating West Virginia, 38-20.

The Texas defense looked nothing like the defense that showed up in Lubbock last week. The Longhorns showed tight coverage, got to the quarterback and got off the field on third and fourth downs.

Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski mixed in zone coverage some in the first half but waited until the Longhorns had built a lead to play zone consistently. After taking a 35-14 lead, Texas allowed West Virginia to knock itself out with long, clock-eating drives.

Offensively, Hudson Card led multiple scoring drives relying mostly on Xavier Worthy and Ja’Tavion Sanders as primary targets. Card put the ball in harms way a few times, but Texas receivers intervened to make spectacular plays.

Card completed 21 of 27 passes for 303 yards. He finished the day with three touchdowns. Xavier Worthy led all receivers with 7 catches for 119 receiving yards.

Bijan Robinson crossed the century mark on the final drive, finishing with 21 rushes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Steve Sarkisian will have the challenge of keeping players humble heading into Red River following their impressive showing. Sarkisian will welcome that challenge as Texas improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

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Early expectations for Texas-West Virginia

You might see a heavy dose of Jordan Whittington this week.

Texas looks to get back in the win column against West Virginia on Saturday. This should be a winnable game for the Longhorns, despite West Virginia’s convincing win over Virginia Tech last week.

Offensively, Texas should be able to score on the Mountaineers. Steve Sarkisian and company were able to put up 34 points on the road against a solid Texas Tech defense. They did so with Hudson Card leading the offense.

As for the Texas defense, I would expect more of the same until proven otherwise. Even after emphasizing running tighter coverages this offseason, the Texas defense reverted to the same approach they used last year. Soft coverage hurt the Longhorns defense, but I’m not sure the defensive staff truly believes it did.

This one should be a close game again for Texas. You might see a heavy dose of Jordan Whittington with Xavier Worthy not fully healthy. Steve Sarkisian may need Quinn Ewers available to win this game.

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No. 17 Texas dominates West Virginia 75-59 behind excellent guard play

Texas starts off Big 12 play with a statement victory over West Virginia.

Chris Beard could not have asked for a better performance from his team to start Big 12 conference play. Texas totally dismantled West Virginia from start to finish.

West Virginia had no answers for Texas after getting news that star player Taz Sherman would miss the game due to COVID-19 protocols. Sherman has averaged over 20 points per game this season.

Senior guard Courtney Ramey started the game on fire, scoring eight points in the first ten minutes of the game. His three-pointer to break a 14-14 tie kicked off an 18-2 scoring run for the Horns.

Ramey and Marcus Carr had an excellent sequence at the end of the first half to keep Texas in total control of the game.

Carr finished with 20 points, four rebounds and two assists. His best game as a Longhorn despite some rumors of a possible transfer this week.

If Texas gets more performances like today’s from Carr and the Texas backcourt, they will be a tough team to beat.

As a team, Texas forced 21 turnovers and shot 94% from the foul line. A good formula for more success down the road.

Key stats:

  • G Marcus Carr: 20 points, two assists, four rebounds and two steals
  • G Courtney Ramey: 15 points, four rebounds and two assists
  • G Andrew Jones: 14 points, three rebounds
  • F Timmy Allen: Eight points, six rebounds and three steals

How to watch, listen and stream Texas vs. West Virginia on Saturday

No. 17 Texas will host West Virginia to open Big 12 conference play.

Big 12 conference play has arrived as the No. 17 Texas Longhorns (10-2) will host West Virginia (11-1) to start the new year.

In the last matchup between these two programs a season ago, West Virginia left Austin with a victory after erasing a 19-point first half deficit.

West Virginia should be well rested as they have not played a game for almost a week and a half while Texas is coming off a 78-33 win over Incarnate Word on Tuesday.

The defense has been the strength of this Texas team so far this season. The Horns lead the nation in scoring defense allowing just over 50 ppg.

For Texas to win this game they must find a way to slow down West Virginia’s dynamic duo Taz Sherman and Sean McNeil. Sherman is averaging 21 points per game on the young season while McNeil averages 14 points per game himself.

Getting off to a win to start the gauntlet of the Big 12 schedule would be massive for both teams.

Here is how to tune in for Texas’ conference opener:

When: Saturday, Jan. 1, 11 a.m. CT

Where: Frank Erwin Center (Austin, Texas)

TV channel: ESPNU

Radio: Longhorn Radio Network – 104.9 The Horn

Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)

Studs and duds from Texas’ 31-23 loss to West Virginia

Studs and duds from Texas’ sixth straight loss.

The Longhorns will not be going bowling this season after suffering their seventh loss on the season to West Virginia. The loss extends Texas’ losing streak to six consecutive games.

Texas was unable to come back from an early West Virginia 14-0 lead.

After Steve Sarkisian chose to bench quarterback Casey Thompson, Hudson Card gave the Texas offense some life in the second half. His 52-yard bomb to Xavier Worthy made it a 21-17 game.

Unfortunately, the Texas defense was incapable of getting off of the field on third down. The Mountainers converted on third downs of both 18 yards and 15 yards on scoring drives in the second half.

Texas had an opportunity to tie the game down eight points late in the fourth quarter, but Thompson threw a costly interception the play after Card suffered a foot injury.

The difference in the game was third down. The Texas offense was 2-10 on third down while West Virginia was 12-20.

Here are the studs and duds from Texas’ loss to West Virginia:

First half recap of Texas’ 21-10 deficit to West Virginia

Texas struggling with West Virginia at the half.

The Texas offense was all brakes, no gas in the first quarter of the West Virginia matchup.

The Mountaineers punched the Longhorns in the mouth going up 14-0 before the Texas offense registered a first down.

Running back Roschon Johnson ran for six yards at the 11-minute mark of the second quarter to move the chains for the first time all game. The Horns continued to pound the rock on the same drive before Keilan Robinson broke off a 49-yard touchdown run.

West Virginia responded with a very easy 12 play, 82-yard touchdown drive of their own. Running back Leddie Brown capped off the drive walking into the end zone untouched from two yards out.

Texas cut into the West Virginia lead before the half with a Cameron Dicker 50-yard field goal.

Texas will receive the ball first in the second half down 21-10.

Here is a look notable at the first half stats:

  • QB Casey Thompson: 4/12 for 29 yards
  • RB Roschon Johnson: Eight carries for 52 yards
  • RB Keilan Robinson: Three carries for 57 yards and one touchdown
  • WR Xavier Worthy: Three receptions for 22 yards

West Virginia:

  • QB Jarret Doege: 20/28 for 238 yards and two touchdowns
  • RB Leddie Brown: 17 carries for 65 yards and one touchdown
  • WR Sam James: Five receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown
  • Time of possession: 21 minutes and 14 seconds

Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown out vs. West Virginia due to toe injury

Big loss for Texas.

Texas will be without leading tackler DeMarvion Overshown as the senior linebacker will miss the West Virginia game with a toe injury. Overshown is in a walking boot and is not in uniform ahead of Saturday’s game in Morgantown.

Overshown has 72 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries on the season.

Jaylan Ford played very well when Overshown missed time against Oklahoma State earlier in the season, where he recorded a career-high 12 tackles in that matchup.

David Gbenda and Ayodele Adeoye will also be tasked to step up in place of Overshown. The linebackers as a unit need to do a better job against the run. Texas is 117th in the nation in run defense.

The Horns are now without arguably their best offensive and defensive players in running back Bijan Robinson and Overshown.

Texas and West Virginia will kick off at 11 a.m. central time as both teams are trying to keep their bowl eligibility hopes alive.

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Three things Texas needs to do to beat West Virginia

The winner will have a chance to play for bowl eligibility next week.

Texas and West Virginia enter this matchup with identical 4-6 records. The winner will have a chance to play for bowl eligibility next week while the other will be eliminated from postseason contention.

There is not much separation between the two teams. Tipico Sportsbook has West Virginia as a 2.5 point favorite at home, while ESPN’s FPI slightly favors the visiting Longhorns.

The all-time record between the Horns and Mountaineers is tied 5-5. The road teams have had more success in the series winning seven of the ten games. Texas has won three of the last four contests.

Consistency has been a struggle for both teams. Texas has shown the ability to compete with anyone in the conference but has not been able to close the door late. West Virginia beat TCU and Iowa State before getting overmatched against Oklahoma State and Kansas State.

Here are three things Texas needs to do to leave Morgantown with a win:

Texas Longhorns vs West Virginia: How do the stats matchup?

Breaking down the offense vs defense matchups in the Texas Longhorns-West Virginia game on Saturday. Who has the edge in this game?

Diving into the key stats for both sides of the ball. The calling card for West Virginia has been the Mountaineers defense. That is their best unit. For Texas, they counter with the Longhorns offense. It has been inconsistent this year at times but when backs are against the wall, Sam Ehlinger rises to the occasion.

When Texas has the ball

Offensively is where the Longhorns are strongest. They have the 10th highest scoring offense in the country. They have cracked the 40-point threshold in four of their six games this year. Can they generate enough offense against a top 20 scoring defense?

The West Virginia defense is top 20 in every major category. They are also one of the four best defenses at forcing interceptions. Their nine interceptions through six games proves that they can create for their offense. Last week against Kansas State, WVU forced Will Howard into three interceptions.

Key Stat

Texas sacks given up- 30th worst

WVU sacks generated- 6th best

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Category UT Stats UT Rank WVU Rank WVU Stats
Scoring 44.3 PPG 10th 19th 19.8 PPG
Rushing 165.3 YPG 63rd 11th 97.8 YPG
Passing 284.2 YPG 27th 7th 157.8 YPG
Total 449.5 YPG 26th 4th 255.7 YPG

When West Virginia has the ball

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

The Longhorns defense has been their weakness this year aside from their special teams blunders. Last week was a much better performance despite the fact they gave up 400 yards in the air. Their focus was shutting down Chuba Hubbard which is where they succeeded. Plus four turnovers forced and that is how you walk away with a win on the road against a top six team in the nation.

West Virginia’s offense is not necessarily a weakness but their defense gets all the headlines. The big question is can they show up on the road? This year WVU is 0-2 on the road with losses at Oklahoma State and at Texas Tech. The Longhorns will provide their next test. However, WVU hasn’t lost in Austin since 2014. Does that streak continue?

Key Stat

WVU has six fumbles lost- Worst in the Big 12

Texas has six fumbles recovered- Best in the Big 12

Category UT Stats UT Rank WVU Rank WVU Stats
Scoring 32.5 PPG 77th 37th 33.0 PPG
Rushing 130.3 YPG 41st 51st 172.0 YPG
Passing 277.5 YPG 92nd 25th 292.8 YPG
Total 407.8 YPG 66th 22nd 464.8 YPG

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Texas vs West Virginia Prediction, Game Preview

Texas Longhorns vs West Virginia Mountaineers prediction and game preview.

Texas vs West Virginia prediction and game preview.

Texas vs West Virginia Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 7
Game Time: 12:00
Venue: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
Network: ABC

[jwplayer UF9Oguul]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Texas (4-2) vs West Virginia (4-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college football, go to BetMGM

Why Texas Will Win

Is it really just as simple as being at home or on the road? West Virginia is 4-0 in Morgantown and 0-2 on the road.

What’s been the problem away from home? The third down conversions weren’t quite there, and that came from not having a running game. The Mountaineers failed to hit 100 yards on the ground twice – and both times were in the losses.

Texas hasn’t been the slightest bit consistent, but it was somehow able to slip past Oklahoma State without any offensive production – the four takeaways helped – but that was an outlier. This offense is a whole lot better than it showed in Stillwater.

Why West Virginia Will Win

This has been a sneaky-good team with a good passing attack and a strong defense that has a good mix to beat anyone in the conference on the right day.

It all worked at home against Kansas State, with the defensive front stuffing the running game and allowing just 225 yards overall. But that’s what this D does. Only Oklahoma State was able to run well against it, and only Baylor was able to throw for more than 200 yards.

If the Texas that played last week doesn’t get the O going, and assuming West Virginia doesn’t turn it over four times, this should be close.

What’s Going To Happen

For all of the good things West Virginia has done so far, it hasn’t dealt with much in the way of firepower. Texas Tech really doesn’t have the pop you’d think it would, and Oklahoma State wasn’t quite right yet when the two played.

Texas won’t rip apart the Mountaineers, but the offense will be just effective enough to get out alive in yet another nail-biter for a team that played at the exact level of its competition.

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Texas vs West Virginia Prediction, Line

Texas 31, West Virginia 27
Bet on Texas vs West Virginia with BetMGM
Texas -6.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: ANYTHING to take your mind off of …
1: EVERYTHING in the real world

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