Year To Date Record: 9-10 overall
West Virginia @ Iowa State (Week 13 Preview & Prediction)
The Mountaineers (5-5) visit Jack Trice Stadium Friday afternoon to battle the Cyclones (6-5) and come in off the heels of a 50-49 loss to Oklahoma at home. The Mounties are on a five game skid and their defense continues to give up points in bunches. The Cyclones secured bowl eligibility last week with a convincing 53-21 blowout at Kansas. This game will be interesting as the Cyclones are yet to name a starting quarterback after Steele Jantz left with an injury and freshman Sam Richardson took over and completed 23 of 27 passes for (250) yards and four scores.
The story of the Mountaineers this season has been a potent offense led by QB Geno Smith and versatile burner Tavon Austin a flanker who is one of the better offensive weapons in the entire country. The problem has been a rancid defense that allows (42) points per game. In last week’s loss to Oklahoma the Mountaineers rang up (778) total yards of offense, Austin accounted for an amazing (557) all purpose yards. The Cyclones are a scrappy team that will look to win the time of possession battle on offense and keep the ball away from Smith. This is a good approach in theory but if West Virginia gets too far ahead the Cyclones might not be able to recover. The Mountaineers will have some favorable matchups on the perimeter versus the Cyclone secondary and don’t be surprised if they find some room to run inside. The wildcard is the Mountaineer defense, if they can be average and force field goals they should cover and win outright.
West Virginia -1.5 @ Iowa State (Betting Prediction)
There are some glaring statistics that favor a psyche damaged Mountaineer team. The Mountaineers are 80-6 since 2000 when scoring more than 30 points. On the other hand the Cyclones counter with a 21-1 record when holding opponents under (24) points. However, when the Cyclones allow more than (24) points they are on a 3-24 straight up streak. There is no way possible that I see the Cyclones holding this offense to less than 24 points. Smith and the offense should have no problem hanging 42 points on the scoreboard Friday afternoon. More damage than you think will come from the WV rushing game while two key Cyclone miscues will hurt.
Prediction: Mountaineers 45 Cyclones 31
The Play: West Virginia -1.5 (5dimes.eu)
Iowa State betting • West Virginia betting