Week 4 Preview: West Virginia vs. (4) Oklahoma

(4) Oklahoma heads into Saturday’s game against West Virginia undefeated, and pundits across the country feel Oklahoma is destined to represent the Big 12 in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

But they better not overlook the Mountaineers…

West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett ranks third in the country with 1,224 passing yards and leads a potent passing attack which ranks fifth in the nation, averaging 410.3 passing yards per game. His favorite target, wide receiever Kevin White, is second in the country with 460 receiving yards.

West Virginia already has experience playing against an elite team. The Mountaineers were competitive against Alabama in the season opener but fell to the Crimson Tide, 33-23.

Trickett respects Oklahoma but believes his team can pull off the upset, even if the country is not giving them a chance.

“The Sooners are a great team and have a high power offense,” Trickett said . “They have a great defense as well and are returning a lot of guys. They are a traditional powerhouse. They are Oklahoma, but I said the same thing with Alabama. There is no such thing as an unbeatable team. Over the past few years, this game has not been an easy one for the Sooners.”

As Trickett stated, this game has not been a cake-walk the past couple of years for Oklahoma. The Sooners have won the past two meetings by a combined 10 points, including a 50-49 thriller in 2012.

The Sooners will have to limit the Mountaineers’ ability to stretch the field and limit their big plays. They have done a great job thus far this season, allowing only 11 points per game which is tied for the eighth best in the country.

Oklahoma will be without its leading rusher, Keith Ford. The sophomore will miss the next 2-3 weeks with a fractured foot. Ford leads the team with 194 yards and five touchdowns. Although the Sooners would love to have him this Saturday, they still have Samaje Perine (177 rushing yards, one touchdown) and Alex Ross (132 rushing yards, three touchdowns) to carry the load.

Sooners’ quarterback Trevor Knight struggled in their win against West Virginia last year, throwing for only 119 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It was Oklahoma’s defense that was the difference, surrendering just 7 points to West Virginia.

Knight will have to be much better to assure Oklahoma walks out of Morgantown with a victory.

Prediction

I have a feeling Oklahoma will approach this game with laser-like focus. Trevor Knight will want to amend his lackluster performance against West Virginia from last season.

I respect Clint Trickett and the Mountaineers ability to score. They will put points on the board but not enough to upset the Sooners.

Oklahoma 37, West Virginia 24

 

*Section Photo credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Brett Deering/Getty Images

Week 4 Preview: (22) Clemson at (1) Florida State
Week 4 Preview: (22) Clemson at (1) Florida State