West Virginia hosts Baylor on Saturday, looking to win their third consecutive game.
The Bears are coming off of a bye week but are on a three-game winning streak themselves. With a 4-2 record in conference play, the Mountaineers can keep their hopes of playing in the Big 12 title game alive with a win this weekend.
Kickoff on Saturday is at 4:00 p.m. EST and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Our staff gives their predictions:
Ryan Roddy: This is such an important game for the Mountaineers. They haven’t won more than back-to-back games this season and also haven’t won at home since Sept. 21. With a win, West Virginia would improve to 5-2 in conference play and stay afloat in the race to compete in the 2024 Big 12 championship. Baylor is no blowover, however. They’ve played some of their best football as of late. They are balanced offensively, ranking No. 44 among FBS teams in rushing offense, with five running backs with 100+ rushing yards this season. Passing-wise, they’re ranked No. 61. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson has many different targets he can look to in the passing attack, but his No. 1 receiver is Josh Cameron, who’s got 424 yards and seven touchdowns this season. For West Virginia the big question is who’s going to be starting at quarterback. Garrett Greene has returned to practice and very well could get the nod, despite Nicco Marchiol helping the team win back-to-back games at starter. Whatever that decision may be, the Mountaineers need to establish the run game early. Their defense will also need to step up and make plays like they did against Cincinnati, and I predict that they will. Look for an exciting one in Morgantown on Saturday.
West Virginia 28, Baylor 20
Tanner Mountz: Week by week the Mountaineers’ chances of making the Big 12 Championship continue to grow. But the only way it is possible if for WVU to pick up three wins in three weeks. Neal Brown will have a challenge stopping the red hot Baylor Bears who have won their last three contests and will come into Morgantown as favorites. The key to the game will be to get pressure on Swayer Robinson who can be lethal with time in the pocket. He has also only thrown four interceptions on the season so turning him over will be quite the challenge but could be all it takes to pull out a win. Expect whichever QB starts for the Mountaineers to be on a short leash if the game starts to get away from them. If the WVU offense can get back to running the ball and controlling the speed of the game, they will come out victorious and continue to keep their Big 12 Championship hopes alive.
West Virginia 31, Baylor 24
RJ Russell: In Baylor’s last game against TCU, they allowed the running back to run for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns. I expect the Mountaineers to try to establish the run game early and center it around Jahiem White. Baylor is a team that scores a lot of points, the Mountaineers defense will have to play clean football by limiting penalties while controlling the Baylor offense. Last game WVU was able to force three turnovers and had a clear focus on trying to emphasize getting turnovers during the week. I think the Mountaineers win by a touchdown in comeback fashion.
West Virginia 31, Baylor 24
Joe Antenucci: West Virginia returns back home in a must win game in order to keep their Big 12 hopes alive. Baylor hasn’t played great football this year but have been better as of late winning their last three. I believe the Mountaineers still have some juice left in their season and will feed off the home atmosphere.
West Virginia 34, Baylor 24
Lilly Reisenweber: With West Virginia being back home for the first time in a month, they continue the chase for a Big 12 Conference title. WVU has a losing record at home, while Baylor has a losing record on the road. A big part of the outcome depends on if the WVU defense can put a stop to Baylor. I believe the Mountaineers will come out on top on their own turf.
West Virginia 31, Baylor 28
