Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS)
College Football Week 9
Date and Time: Saturday, October 28th, 2017 12:00 PM ET
Where: Milan Puskar Stadium – Morgantown, WV
TV: ABC
by Keith F., Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: OKST -7.5/WVU +7.5
Over/Under Total: 73.5
This one has all the makings to be one of the biggest Big 12 match-ups of the season when the Oklahoma State Cowboys hit the road to face off with the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. This contest is one that will interest many across the country and it will be syndicated for domestic audiences on ABC. The kick-off time is scheduled for an early start of 12:00 PM ET. For both participants, this venue will have enormous implications on the Big 12 race, as both teams enter with just one conference loss each. Both teams are also housed in the top-25 in the polls which means this game will also have huge impacts on positioning for the College Football Playoff for Oklahoma State in particular and a New Years Six Bowl Berth for both teams at large. The two each lost in Big 12 play to an undefeated #4 TCU. In the last meeting between both sides, the Cowboys won by a considerable margin of 37-20 in Stillwater in 2016. The Pokes have won the last two against the Mountaineers in this conference clash.
The Cowboys continue to rattle on and win. The Pokes snuck by yet another opponent as they emerged victorious off a 13-10 overtime victory in Austin, Texas last week against the up-start Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns controlled the ebb and flow of the game with stout defense. Though Oklahoma State conformed to the style that Bevo enjoys, their defense actually picked up the slack. Thus, Texas had every opportunity to beat the Cowboys but a terrible mistake in overtime resulted in Oklahoma State escaping with another win. The Cowboys own one of the most dynamic backfields in America in quarterback Mason Rudolph, running back Justice Hill, and the countrys best receiver James Washington. These three are a part of an offensive unit that has hovered among the best all throughout the 2017-18 season.
The Mountaineers enter on the heels of a harrowing win at Baylor where West Virginia barely escaped with the win. The Mountaineers were involved in a climactic affair where they beat the Bears in Waco, Texas by a score of 38-36. Like Oklahoma State, the Mountaineers are a team that loves offense. West Virginia features another top quarterback at the helm in field general Will Grier. Grier came to Morgantown by way of Gainesville, transferring to the program from the University of Florida. In addition to their loss to the Horned Frogs, the Mountaineers were also defeated in a renewal of the Black Diamond Rivalry when Virginia Tech took down West Virginia on opening weekend.
In the early going we have seen all the money has come in with West Virginia while some markets have revealed that some tickets are with the Pokes. Across the board, the consensus love the Mountaineers in this spot. The opening number of -8 in some markets is something that has enamored many takers. As a result, we have seen this market drop by half of a point to confirm the action on West Virginia to complement the forum opinions. In the Over/Under, the numbers have also been on the decline to further reflect action on the Under. The proposition as a whole suggests that this game will be a high-octane shootout.
The biggest narrative that the media will plug all week is the story of the two offenses taking the field in Morgantown. The two units are known for their quick-strike ability and are extremely dangerous given their lethal potency. This affair will be nothing short of a shootout and as such the academic move is to take the points when that number is over a touchdown. Indeed, we do have more than that here to work with. Given the fact West Virginia also gets this contest at home, there is tremendous value in playing on the underdog who can become a live dog if Oklahoma State relies on their offense to win this game. Not only can WVU cover, they can win outright.
Keiths Pick to Cover the Point Spread: WEST VIRGINIA +7.5 – If you went to the store and on the shelf was the exact same product, one for $110 and one for $105 which would you buy? The cheaper one of course! So why would you pay -110 odds on your bets instead of -105? Start betting at discounted odds today at 5Dimes!