Game Preview: WVU vs. Oklahoma

In a season filled with firsts, No. 9/10 West Virginia (8-1, 5-1) will look to topple No. 8 Oklahoma (8-2, 7-0) for the first time as a member of the Big 12 Conference in a primetime Saturday night showcase.

Both teams are currently near the top of the Big 12 standings with the Sooners yet to lose a conference game and the Mountaineers still very much alive in the race for the conference crown with only one loss at Oklahoma State. With the Sooners and Cowboys set to finish the season against one another in Bedlam, this will be the most highly anticipated matchup between the Mountaineers and Sooners since the two met as out of conference opponents in the Fiesta Bowl in 2008.

Since joining the Big 12 in 2012, West Virginia is 0-4 against Oklahoma including two losses in Morgantown. However, those two games in Morgantown have been close with West Virginia falling to the Sooners 50-49 in 2012 and 45-33 in 2014.

Oklahoma is led by head coach Bob Stoops, who is entering his 18th season atop the Sooners football program amassing a 187-48 record over that time span. Stoops has led Oklahoma to nine Big 12 Conference championships, including last season’s crown, and are currently atop the standings this season as well with a 7-0 record in league play.

Stoops has also claimed the 2000 national championship over the course of his tenure in Norman.

Oklahoma will bring one of the nation’s top offensive units into Morgantown averaging 44 .2 points and 557.4 yards per game, both marks firmly in the top ten nationally. The Sooners attack is triggered by a familiar face in junior quarterback Baker Mayfield. Through nine games, Mayfield has thrown for 3,212 yards and 33 touchdowns with only seven interceptions while completing 72-percent of his passes. Also a dual threat, Mayfield has rushed for 131 yards and four touchdowns.

Around Mayfield is talent across the board as Oklahoma boasts one of the most balanced offenses in the Big 12 Conference. The primary target for Mayfield in the passing game is senior wide receiver DeDe Westbrook, who is putting together a strong final season. After not scoring through the first three games, Westbrook has 14 touchdowns over the next six to go along with 1,284 yards receiving.

A true game-breaker, Westbrook has the size and speed to make an impact all over the field and also is a key piece to the Oklahoma special teams as well.

The two-headed monster in the backfield consists of junior Semaje Perine, who rushed for 242 yards and a four touchdowns against West Virginia in 2014, and sophomore Joe Mixon.

Mixon leads the Sooners in rushing with 937 yards, an average of seven per carry, and eight touchdowns. He also serves as the second leading wide receiver and is a threat out of the backfield with 29 catches for 420 yards and four touchdowns.

Perine is now back from an injury that cost him three games, but has accounted for 575 yards and eight touchdowns over the course of the year.

The Oklahoma defense has had its issues at times this season allowing 30.8 points and 429 yards per game, ranking the Sooners 5th and 6th in the Big 12 Conference. However, injuries have been a concern for Mike Stoops unit and a total of 22 players have been forced into action this year, with seven of those being freshmen or first year players.

It is anticipated that the bulk of that will be cleaned up coming into Morgantown as the Sooners boast the top run defense in the conference and has a number of playmakers on that side of the football.

The game will kick off at 8 p.m.

West Virginia Depth Chart:

OFFENSE:

QB - 3 Skyler Howard (Sr), 11 Chris Chugunov (r-Fr)

FB – 28 Elijah Wellman (r-Jr), 47 Michael Ferns (r-So)

RB – 7 Rushel Shell (r-Sr), 25 Justin Crawford (Jr), 4 Kennedy McKoy (Fr)

WR (X) - 1 Shelton Gibson (r-Jr), 12 Gary Jennings (So)

WR (Z) – 2 Ka’Raun White (Jr), 82 Devonte Mathis (r-Sr)

IR (Y) - 6 Daikiel Shorts (Sr), 5 Jovon Durante (So)

LT - 57 Adam Pankey (r-Sr), 74 Sylvester Townes (r-Sr)

LG – 70 Tony Matteo (r-Sr), 71 Rob Dowdy (r-Fr)

C - 65 Tyler Orlosky (r-Sr), 79 Matt Jones (r-Fr)

RG - 62 Kyle Bosch (r-Jr), 56 Grant Lingafelter (r-Jr)

RT - 53 Colton McKivitz (r-Fr), 77 Marcell Lazard (r-Jr.)

DEFENSE:

DE - 97 Noble Nwachukwu (r-Sr), 88 Adam Shuler (r-Fr)

NT - 49 Darrien Howard (Sr), 67 Alec Shriner (r-Fr)

DE - 95 Christian Brown (r-Sr), 92 Jon Lewis (r-Jr)

SAM – 30 Justin Arndt (r-Sr), 5 Xavier Preston (Jr)

MIKE - 3 Al-Rasheed Benton (r-Jr), 44 Hodari Christian (r-Jr)

WILL – 11 David Long (r-Fr), 27 Sean Walters (r-Sr)

CB – 24 Maurice Fleming (r-Sr), 19 Elijah Battle (Jr), 1 Antonio Crawford (r-Sr)

FS – 2 Jeremy Tyler (Sr), 16 Toyous Avery (r-So)

SPUR – 8 Kyzir White (Jr), 18 Marvin Gross, Jr. (r-Jr)

BS - 22 Jarrod Harper (r-Sr), 7 Khairi Shariff (r-Sr)

CB – 13 Rasul Douglas (r-Sr), 14 Nana Kyeremeh (r-Sr)

SPECIAL TEAMS:

PK - 48 Mike Molina (r-Jr), 80 Jonn Young (Fr)

P - 15 Billy Kinney (r-So), 80 Jonn Young (Fr)

LS -46 Nick Meadows (r-Jr), 43 R.C. Brunstetter (r-So)

H – 15 Billy Kinney (r-So), 80 Jonn Young (Fr)

KO - 48 Mike Molina (r-Jr), 15 Billy Kinney (r-So)

PR - 12 Gary Jennings (So)

KR - 1 Shelton Gibson (r-Jr), 12 Gary Jennings (So)

Notes:

--Coaching assignments for this season include: DC/LB Tony Gibson (field), OC/TE-FB Joe Wickline (press box), CB Blue Adams (field), WR Tyron Carrier (field), S Matt Caponi (field), OL Ron Crook (field), D/ST Mark Scott (press box), RB JaJuan Seider (field), DL Bruce Tall (field)

--West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen is 0-4 against Oklahoma and head coach Bob Stoops during his tenure in Morgantown. The Mountaineers are 2-6 against the Sooners all-time.

--West Virginia has won 13 of its last 15 games and eight straight home games dating back to the Texas Tech game last season Nov. 7, 2015.

--A total of 26 players have seen their first WVU action this season: CB Jordan Adams, S Toyous Avery, CB Elijah Battle, QB Chris Chugunov, CB Antonio Crawford, RB Justin Crawford, CB Mike Daniels, OL Rob Dowdy, FB Michael Ferns, CB Maurice Fleiming, DE Reese Donahue, LB Adam Hensley, P Billy Kinney, LB David Long, OL Colton McKivitz, RB Kennedy McKoy, LB Zach Sandwisch, DL Alec Shriner, DE Adam Shuler, WR Marcus Simms, WR Steven Smothers, S JoVanni Stewart, S Kyzir White, TE Trevon Wesco, TE Stone Wolfley, S Kevin Williams.

--The 2016 roster consists of 120 players from 15 different states.

--There are 34 juniors and seniors on the West Virginia depth chart.

--The West Virginia offensive consists of 19 true freshmen, eight redshirt freshmen, three sophomores, seven redshirt sophomores, one junior, eight redshirt juniors, two seniors and six redshirt seniors.

--Breaking down the West Virginia offensive numbers for the season the Mountaineers have run a total of 691 plays, 384 on the ground and 307 through the air. The rushing game has totaled 1,903 yards for an average of 5.0 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns. The passing attack has totaled 2,566 yards for an average of 13.0 yards per completion and 17 touchdowns.

--The West Virginia offense has gained 91 first downs via the run and 125 via the pass. On average, West Virginia has totaled 211.4 yards per game on the ground, 285.1 yards per game passing.

--The West Virginia offense is ranked No. 19 nationally in total offense.

--West Virginia has had ten touchdown drives of 80+ yards this season.

--The West Virginia defensive roster includes 20 true freshmen, 10 redshirt freshmen, one sophomore, three redshirt sophomores, nine juniors, four redshirt juniors, two seniors and 10 redshirt seniors.

--The West Virginia defense had held Big 12 opponents to under 50-percent on third down conversions in 24 of 26 games with the lone exceptions being Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

--The West Virginia defense is holding opponents to 20.6 points per game, good for first in the Big 12 Conference and 19th nationally. The Mountaineers also rank No. 28 in pass efficiency.

--West Virginia has 14 senior starters on its depth chart and 20 seniors on its two deep, the most in the Big 12 Conference.

--West Virginia is 79-11 since 2002 when winning the turnover battle.

--The Mountaineers are No. 14 all-time in college football winning percentage.

--Since 2000, West Virginia is 106-13 when scoring 30 or more points in a contest.

Injuries/Suspensions: West Virginia running back redshirt senior Rushel Shell (ankle) saw one snap against Texas but left after appearing to reinjure his ankle. His status is up in the air. Redshirt senior defensive end Noble Nwachukwu did not play against Texas due to a leg tweak and his status is considered day to day. West Virginia junior free safety Dravon Askew-Henry is out for the season with an ACL injury same can be said for redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste. Freshman linebacker Brendan Ferns is also out for the season with an ACL injury. Freshman cornerback Jake Long is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Redshirt sophomore Jaleel Fields is out for the season with a knee injury. Redshirt junior Xavier Pegues is out until late October with a shoulder injury.

Redshirts: West Virginia has played true freshmen running back Kennedy McKoy, defensive end Reese Donahue, SAM linebacker Zach Sandwisch and WILL linebacker Adam Hensley, wide receiver Marcus Simms, wide receiver Steven Smothers and safety JoVanni Stewart to this point.

Points to Click:

Contain Westbrook. DeDe Westbrook is currently on quite a run scoring 14 touchdowns in the past seven games while serving as one of the most dominant playmakers in college football. A senior, Westbrook has been almost indefensible of late and has developed a strong rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Listen, it’s hard to completely stop a player the caliber of Westbrook but the Mountaineers will have to keep a lid on him making big plays down the field or changing the game on special teams. I know it’s a lot easier said than done, but this will be a key for success for West Virginia.

Ground the ground game. Oklahoma boasts two of the nation’s best backs in the same backfield in sophomore Joe Mixon and junior Semaje Perine. Both have hurt the Mountaineers in the past, including a 242 yard, four touchdown performance from Perine two seasons ago. Like I said with Westbrook completely stopping the Sooners on the ground might be a tall task but limiting the success and keeping big plays to a minimum as the Mountaineers did a week ago will be key. If Oklahoma is having a lot of success running the football it will likely be a long day for the Mountaineers.

Take advantage on offense. West Virginia has had its issues scoring, but the Oklahoma defense is on the other side of that coin allowing over 30 points and 420 yards per game. This isn’t the traditionally stout defense that the Sooners have had in Big 12 Conference play and they have been vulnerable both on the ground and in the air. The Mountaineers will have opportunities to score in this game and will have to take advantage of that to keep pace with a potent Sooners offensive attack.

Keep Mayfield in the pocket. West Virginia has done an excellent job of this for the most part this year and it will be as key as ever against Oklahoma. Senior quarterback Baker Mayfield isn’t necessarily a scrambler but he does an excellent job extending plays and buying time for his wide receivers to get open down the field. Obviously getting pressure will be key to disrupt that, but when that does come the Mountaineers have to get Mayfield to the ground and can’t let him get to the edge with run, pass options and potential big plays down the field. Making things easier for a very good offense is never a recipe for success especially in a match up as critical as this one.

Embrace the moment. West Virginia is still very much in the race for the Big 12 Championship and this game is a potential showcase for the football program. The Mountaineers have never seriously competed for a Big 12 Championship since joining the league in 2012 and Oklahoma is in the mix annually. West Virginia will have to embrace playing in a primetime showcase and play loose and relaxed in front of its home crowd. Starting fast will be key but games like this is why you play.

Play sound on special teams. West Virginia has had issues with its special teams units for much of the season but is coming off its best performance of the year. Redshirt junior Mike Molina hit a career long 44-yard field goal, the Mountaineers blocked a field goal and kept talented Texas return units in check. Special teams will continue to be a story for the remainder of the year but solid play in that department could go a long way towards beating Oklahoma.

Score touchdowns in the red zone: West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen has said that the Mountaineers are shooting for at least a 50-percent touchdown rate in the red zone. It’s been a mixed bag to date and last week the offense scored touchdowns on two of its three trips inside the red zone but fumbled another opportunity away. To keep pace with a team like Oklahoma, points will likely be needed and the Mountaineers are shooting for six not three.

Turnovers: This is an area that goes without saying as turnovers both avoiding them on offense as well as forcing them on the defensive side play a giant role in deciding the overall outcome of games. West Virginia turned the ball over four times against Texas, but fortunately the Longhorns were only able to convert that into seven points. The Mountaineers have already lost one game this season due to mistakes at Oklahoma State and turnovers can quickly change a game against a high-caliber team.