West Virginia @ Texas Tech preview
Jones AT&T Stadium
Geno Smith continues to be the Heisman front-runner after another sterling effort in a close victory over Texas. The question is: Can No. 4 West Virginia compete for a Big 12 title and a national championship with a defense that continues to be a liability? Smith will likely have to carry the Mountaineers’ beleaguered defense through another shootout with a team from Texas Saturday against Dana Holgorsen recruit Seth Doege and Texas Tech, which is looking to rebound from its first loss. Smith followed up his video game-like performance against Baylor with a gritty effort in a 48-45 victory over Texas last week. He’s had to be nearly perfect to atone for West Virginia’s 102nd ranked defense. Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s once-top-ranked defense is smarting after flunking its first real test against Oklahoma in a 41-20 loss – a defeat that dropped the Red Raiders from the rankings. This is the first meeting since the 1938 Sun Bowl, a game West Virginia won 7-6.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN LINE: West Virginia -3.5
ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (5-0, 2-0 Big 12): West Virginia continues to excel in its first season in the high-scoring Big 12. Smith showed his mettle against Texas as he passed for 268 yards (a season-low) and four touchdowns while being harassed all night by an aggressive Longhorns’ defense. The senior has 24 touchdowns and zero interceptions, including 12 TDs in the last two games, and leads the nation in passing efficiency (202.3). Smith was aided by the breakout of sophomore running back Andrew Buie, who was somewhat of an afterthought on the nation’s No. 3 offense (570.8 yards per game) before running for 207 yards and two touchdowns against Texas. The Mountaineers’ main playmakers are standout wide receivers Tavon Austin, third in the nation in all-purpose yards (208.2), and Stedman Bailey, third in the nation in receiving (142.0).
ABOUT TEXAS TECH (4-1, 1-1 Big 12): The Red Raiders will try to regroup after falling flat on both sides of the ball against the Sooners. Oklahoma recorded 380 yards – more than double what the Red Raiders had been allowing – and the Sooners’ defense intercepted Doege three times. Doege, who was recruited by West Virginia coach Holgorsen when Holgorsen was the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, threw as many interceptions as he had through the first four games. He also failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this season. Doege could bounce back against the nation’s No. 117 pass defense (336.0 yards). Defensively, senior Cornelius Douglas has been the star. He became the first Red Raiders cornerback in more than 12 years to record three tackles for loss in one game last week.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Mountaineers have to outscore opponents because their defense, which switched to a mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, hasn't stopped anyone (460.0 yards per game).
2. Austin leads the nation with 11.6 receptions per game.
3. Texas Tech ranks third in the nation with a 57.7 percent (41-of-71) third down conversion rate.
PREDICTION: West Virginia 54, Texas Tech 42