After a much needed and deserved bye week, the West Virginia Mountaineer football team is back on the gridiron as they travel to Lubbock, Texas where they will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Red Raiders have had the Mountaineers’ number the past few years as over the course of two seasons, the Red Raiders have outscored the Mountaineers 101-15.
This is an important game for both teams. For WVU, a win against Texas Tech would be the Mountaineers exercising their demons against this team, especially
if they were able to do it on the road. They would also become bowl eligible and would pick up their second win against a top 25 opponent on the road (even if the win against Virginia was technically a neutral site game). For the Red Raiders, they need a win to keep pace in both the BIG XII conference race AND the College Football playoff race. They already dropped a game earlier against Cincinnati, if they drop another one, they won’t be able to control their own destiny.
Be sure to get your nap in, have some coffee ready, and get ready for tonight’s 9:30 game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders!
Third Down Battles
The last time we saw the Mountaineers against TCU I said the defense needed to get stops. It didn’t matter how they got them, they just needed to get them. Well, wouldn’t you believe it, but that’s exactly what happened. They still let up 484 yards, but they ended the game by getting a key fumble. They will need to do the same this week against a much more potent offensive team, but one that struggles on third down. The Red Raiders offense has struggled this season on third down conversions, having only converted on 38%. Is that something Zac Alley and his unit can take advantage of? That means “winning” on either first and second (or both) downs to try and force them to convert it on third down. This West Virginia defense isn’t going to be able to win every single drive, we know that. But just like in games against Cincinnati and TCU they have shown they CAN get stops in big moments. They will need to do the same tonight in Lubbock.
Two Potent Rushing Attacks
West Virginia is an excellent rushing team. We’ve known this all season, and if you are familiar with Rich Rodriguez teams which I know all of you are, we knew that was going to be the case. Entering tonight’s game WVU has run the ball for over 2,093 yards, which is fifth in the country. That also takes into account the fact WVU finally had their bye week last week. The Red Raiders have run the ball for 1,656 yards this season which ranks 18th in the country. The Red Raiders have struggled on the offensive side at times, mostly due to inconsistent quarterback play, but they have been able to stay afloat because of their potent rushing attack. Which of these elite running attacks gets the job done tonight at Galaxy Stadium?
Playing/Avoiding Spoiler
You may not remember but West Virginia did knock off a top 25 team this season in the Virginia Cavaliers. RichRod also knocked off a top 25 team last year against the Houston Cougars. Can he get another victory against a top 25 opponent tonight?
On the other hand, Texas Tech is essentially playing for their playoff lives here on out. They already dropped a game against Cincinnati (a team West Virginia beat btw) and have fallen behind Utah and BYU in the first CFB rankings with Houston right on their tail. They also have a huge game against Oklahoma State next week that could potentially be a matchup between two ranked opponents if Oklahoma State beats Kansas State. Add in the fact that it’s going to be a night game and a “black out” theme for fans in attendance, the environment is going to be heavily in the Red Raiders’ favor.
But, if WVU keeps pace and perhaps takes a lead late in the game, the environment is going to flip and be a stadium filled with angst. Texas Tech would feel tight, the fans would feel it as well. That could prove to be the shot in the arm West Virginia would need to pull off a huge upset and get revenge from the drubbing the Red Raiders have handed the mountaineers in back-to-back years. It will be a tough task, but the pressure Texas Tech has placed on themselves for the rest of the season due to their loss against the Bearcats is something their remaining opponents can exploit.
Let’s hope the Mountaineers are the ones to do it. Let’s Go!
