From SportsDay.com
Photo by RSN’s Barry Alderman
Story by DallasNews Sports Day
No. 8 Oklahoma faces No. 10 West Virginia in conference play this Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. Here are five things Oklahoma fans need to know about the Mountaineers:
1) West Virginia has beaten every Big 12 team — but one
Since joining the Big 12 in 2012, West Virginia has topped every conference team except Oklahoma. The Sooners own a 6-2 all-time record against the Mountaineers, including 4-0 since the two have shared a conference.
In 2012, Oklahoma won 50-49 in the infamous Tavon Austin game, where the WR-turned-RB accrued 572 all-purpose yards against the OU defense. The next year was a defensive battle, with the Sooners coming out on top 16-7. Oklahoma took both games in 2014 and 2015 by margins of 12 and 20 points, respectively.
The last time West Virginia beat Oklahoma was in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, when the Mountaineers upset the eight-point favorite Sooners.
2) Unstoppable force meets immovable object
Saturday’s game in Morgantown matches up the Big 12’s best offense with the league’s best defense.
Oklahoma averages 591.1 yards of total offense in Big 12 play, including an 854-yard showing against Texas Tech nearly a month ago. The Sooners average 48 points per game, as well. West Virginia, on the other hand, ranks first in total defense with 383.3 yards allowed per game and scoring defense with 20.2 points per game.
In the Mountaineers’ only loss — a 37-20 decision in favor of Oklahoma State — OSU QB Mason Rudolph shredded the WVU defense to the tune of 273 yards and three touchdowns — two of which went to the same receiver.
Biletnikoff semifinalist Dede Westbrook might have a tougher time against West Virginia than he had against the likes of Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State, but don’t be surprised if he catches a couple scores.
