West Virginia was one of two Big 12 unbeatens to fall last week and the Mountaineers now have no shot at reaching the College Football Playoff. However, the No. 20 Mountaineers can still win the Big 12 championship and play in a major bowl game. Oddsmakers expect a blowout in the college football odds this week against a terrible Kansas team.
Kansas at West Virginia Lines, Free Pick & TV Info
When: Saturday, Nov. 5, 7 PM ET Where: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown TV: ESPN2 Stream: WatchESPN Radio: Kansas / West Virginia Opening NCAA Football Lines: WVU -34.5 (54)In this week’s Know Your Foe, Brian Hanni chants with the Mountaineers’ Tony Caridi to preview Saturday’s game: https://t.co/4eRTBKWmNq
— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) November 3, 2016
Why Bet on Kansas?
The Jayhawks do have the better basketball program! Kansas comes off a 52-3 loss to No. 16 Oklahoma. Trailing 7-3, Kansas (1-7, 0-5 Big 12) had its chance to take an early lead inside Sooner territory after freshman safety Mike Lee provided KU’s only takeaway of the contest. But on the next play redshirt junior quarterback Montell Cozart dropped back and tried to lob a pass down the left sideline. The ball was picked off by Jordan Thomas at his team’s 2-yard line. The turnover didn’t directly go on to hurt KU as its defense forced a punt, but the offense was never the same following the interception manufacturing just 170 yards in the game. Cozart threw for 111 yards after completing 18-of- 34 passes. The Jayhawks have now fallen in 42-straight road games with their last victory coming Sept. 12, 2009. Kansas hasn’t won a Big 12 road game in 34-straight attempts with the last win coming on Oct. 4, 2008 against Iowa State. KU increased its winless streak in conference play to 17 games, with its last win coming on Nov. 8, 2014 against Iowa State, 34-14. When it comes to third-down defense in the Big 12 Conference, Kansas ranks atop the leader board allowing a 35.3 percent conversion rate (41-for- 116). Kansas ranks in the top third in the FBS in total sacks at No. 35 with 2.63 sacks per contest. Kansas has broken up 37 passes through eight games in 2016, already 23 more than the Jayhawks had at this time last year. The Jayhawks also exhibit good discipline averaging the fewest penalty yards in the Big 12 Conference (45.6 yards per game).Why Bet on West Virginia?
WVU (6-1) lost 37-20 to Oklahoma State last week. Oklahoma State turned three West Virginia turnovers into 17 points and in the process, ended the Mountaineers’ quest for an undefeated season. In addition to the turnovers, West Virginia also hurt itself with penalties, the Mountaineers being flagged six times for 46 yards. QB Skyler Howard’s final stat line showed 24 completions in 39 attempts for 212 yards and a touchdown. Howard passed Chad Johnston to take over fourth-place on the career passing yards list with 6,007. Howard also passed Johnston for sixth-place with 436 career completions. Howard is ranked No. 15 nationally in total offense, No, 17 in completion percentage, No. 20 in completions per game, No. 21 in yards per pass attempt, No. 22 in passing yards per game, No. 27 in passing efficiency, No. 30 in passing yards and No. 35 in points responsible for per game. The ground game finished the afternoon with 209 yards vs. OSU, most of those coming in the second half from backups Justin Crawford and Kennedy McKoy. Crawford finished with 87 and McKoy had 83.4 Rushell Shell moved into 17th place in career rushing yards at WVU. Shell moved past Dwayne Woods and now has 1,999 career rushing yards. Shell did leave injured and is questionable this week. West Virginia is 4-1 all time vs. Kansas. Last year, the Mountaineers won 49-0 at KU. Howard threw for 133 yards and a touchdown, ran for 129 yards and another score on the ground, and led a West Virginia offense that produced three 100-yard rushers. It was the first time that happened at WVU since 1969.
