The West Virginia Mountaineers are back at home for the first time in a month, hoping to bounce back after a couple of tough losses to Iowa State and Kansas State, where their offense seemed flat.
Now, they’re gearing up for a matchup with a Baylor team that, despite a three-game winning streak, has been struggling defensively. And with the pass coverage issues both teams face, this game is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair—maybe even reminiscent of the wild 70-63 shootout between these two back in 2012 (well, at least that’s the dream).
Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, college football expert Phil Steele weighed in with his thoughts on the game during the In the Gun Podcast. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Baylor’s Offensive Surge Phil’s high on Baylor, especially with quarterback Sawyer Robertson taking the reins. Robertson has been solid, throwing for a 17-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and his ability to contribute to the run game adds another layer of danger. Meanwhile, running backs Bryson Washington and Dawson Pendergrass have been impressive, powering the offense on the ground.
West Virginia’s Momentum Boost On the flip side, West Virginia comes into this game with a little momentum after last week’s win. They’ll be playing in front of their home crowd, where they’ve had some ups and downs, notably losing to Kansas State and Iowa State. But the Mountaineers will be hoping to channel that momentum to secure a much-needed win.
The Key Defensive Matchup While Baylor’s offense has found success, Phil is concerned about their defense. Despite head coach Dave Aranda’s defensive genius, Baylor has allowed 469 yards per game over the last four weeks and struggled in pass coverage. West Virginia, however, has a solid run defense, though their secondary has been a weak point. Phil believes West Virginia can exploit that and slow down the Bears’ attack.
Phil’s Prediction: West Virginia Upsets Baylor at Home Despite some of their recent struggles, Phil is bullish on West Virginia’s chances in this one. He’s surprised the Mountaineers are 3-point home underdogs, especially given their defense and momentum after their recent wins. Phil’s prediction? West Virginia pulls off the upset and gets the win in Morgantown.
With both teams fairly evenly matched, this one should be a thriller. The game kicks off at 4 p.m. EST, and you can catch all the action on ESPN2.
