The Mountaineers will be at home again this week as they host the No.17-ranked Kansas State Wildcats in yet another night game.
K-State is 5-1 (2-1 in Big 12) and is coming off a 31-28 win over Colorado, in which they hung on late to beat the Buffaloes in a thriller. West Virginia is .500 on the season, 3-3 (2-1 in Big 12). All of their losses have come against ranked, unbeaten teams, but they look to bounce back and pick up momentum after an Iowa State loss last week.
Our staff gives their predictions:
Ashley O’Brien: The Mountaineers face another tall task this week with Kansas State. The Wildcats have been one of the most balanced teams in the Big 12 this season. They rank No. 8 in the country in rushing offense, averaging over 240 rushing yards per game. Their attack is led by DJ Giddens, who has 786 rushing yards, averaging over seven yards per carry. WVU should be highly motivated after all that has transpired this week. They’ll need to stay consistent throughout if they want a chance at achieving the upset. In the end I think K-State takes it in a heart-breaker for West Virginia.
Kansas State 28, West Virginia 21
Ryan Roddy: It has been an interesting week for WVU football, to say the very least. The program has found itself in national headlines after what Neal Brown had said on Monday. Now, the Mountaineers will look to block that out or use it for motivation to prove something not only to their fans and those criticizing them nationally but also to themselves. They started hot against Iowa State but ultimately fell flat in the end. The Kansas State team walking into Morgantown is no push-over in the slightest. They are the top rushing offenses in the conference as well as one of the best defenses at stopping the run. Quarterback Avery Johnson has received a lot of recognition this season and for good reason. He can do it with his legs, he can do it with his arm when he needs to. The keys for WVU should be applying pressure on him, containing him, loading the box, stopping the run, and getting their pass game going early. If they can do those, it should be a close game, but I’m unsure if they’re able to, and I predict a game that gets semi-out of hand down the stretch.
Kansas State 38, West Virginia 20
Korey Moore: West Virginia loves building momentum off fan interaction, but this week, the crowd’s positive energy will likely be at a season low. With that in mind, I don’t see anything that could help WVU from avoiding the on-paper disadvantage it has against Kansas State. The threat the Mountaineers are most prepared to stop is Kansas State’s biggest offensive advantage in superstar DJ Giddens, who will fall under 180 rushing yards this game but still shine. Meanwhile, Avery Johnson is no pushover, either, and he has a solid receiver coming off a great game in Jayce Brown. There is no matchup I like for WVU’s defense. Offensively, the Mountaineers have no wind in their sails and no reason to believe they can have a receiver go for 100 yards with Garrett Greene at quarterback right now. The backfield is no match for Kansas State, either, whose stats are inflated after holding Colorado to negative rushing yards last week but still tell the story that Jahiem White, CJ Donaldson, and Garrett Greene are not going anywhere.
Kansas State 49, West Virginia 18
RJ Russell: In this matchup West Virginia will have to find a way to slow down a 5-1 Kansas state team that averages over 240 rushing yards per game. The Mountaineers will need to slow down that run game in order to have a chance and I think they will. On the offensive side of the ball they must be better than they were last week against Iowa State in terms of ball security. I think WVU is able to prevail and hold onto a tight lead and ultimately walk out of the game Saturday with a big win.
West Virginia 28, Kansas State 21
Joe Antenucci: Kansas State has had West Virginia’s number in recent matchups, and I expect that trend to continue Saturday night in Morgantown. The Mountaineers have yet to win one of the “big games” this season. West Virginia has performed at its best when the run game is operating at full strength, limiting the need for quarterback Garrett Greene to make plays downfield with his arm. However, Kansas State’s run defense is one of the best in the country, holding opponents to fewer than 80 rushing yards per game. I believe this game will be close and go down to the wire, but WVU’s offense will be somewhat one-dimensional and run out of steam.
Kansas State 31, West Virginia 20
Tanner Mountz: The Mountaineer’s backs are completely against the wall this week against Kansas State. It feels weird to say with a 3-3 football team but it almost is like Neal Brown’s team has hit rock bottom in terms of fan support. However, the team has the chance to flip that against a team that is incredibly similar to the Iowa State team that came into Morgantown a week ago. WVU plays their best football when nobody believes in them and because of that reason alone I think the Mountaineers are going to be able to keep this game close. Watch for Kansas State to load the box to stop WVU’s rushing attack and force Garrett Greene to throw the ball. If WVU can stop the KSU run and Greene can take care of the football, I would not be shocked in Neal Brown picks up his fourth ranked win.
West Virginia 31, Kansas State 28
