West Virginia vs Texas Christian Preview: Streaking Teams Meet in Abilene

West Virginia travels to TCU for a Saturday night Big 12 Conference match-up. Both teams have won three straight games after losing their season opener. The Mountaineers fell to Penn State and then bounced back with victories over Duquesne, Pitt and Texas Tech. After being upset by Colorado, TCU has knocked off Nichols, Houston and SMU. The West Virginia vs Texas Christian preview has the Horned Frogs favored by 12.5 points with a total of 50.5.

Mountaineers Keep the Ball on the Ground

If there’s one thing West Virginia is going to do Saturday, that’s run the ball. West Virginia averages 45.5 rushing attempts per game, which is 10th-most in the nation. The Mountaineers aren’t a great running team. But they’re not bad.

The team’s 4.2 yards per carry is right on the college football average of 4.2 yards per rush. The Mountaineers don’t throw the ball much, averaging 23 attempts per game. As a result, West Virginia has thrown for just 636 yards all season. The Mountaineers do have six TD passes but have eight rushing touchdowns.

The Mountaineers have done a pretty good job capitalizing on their scoring opportunities. West Virginia has 14 TDs and just three field goals on the season. That’s helped the Mountaineers go 3-1 against the spread and 2-2 in totals.

West Virginia’s defense has been good, not great. West Virginia is No. 40 against the rush and No. 45 against the pass this season. The Mountaineers are allowing just 18.5 points per game, which is No. 35 in the country.

Horned Frogs Bounce Back After Colorado Debacle

TCU has cruised past its last three opponents, going 2-1 against the spread in the process. The Horned Frogs defeated Nichols 41-6 as 41.5-point favorites. But TCU followed that up with a 36-13 win against Houston as 7-point favorites, and a 34-17 win over SMU as 6.5-point favorites.

The West Virginia vs Texas Christian preview shows TCU is averaging 501 total yards on offense, which is No. 12 in the country. The Horned Frogs are No. 22 in rushing yards and No. 23 in passing yards, so they can get the job done either way. TCU’s 38.2 points per game is No. 24. Quarterback Chandler Morris has thrown for nine touchdowns and rushed for two more, so he’s making things happen. TCU has a solid group of running backs, led by Emani Bailey’s 483 yards.

The Horned Frogs are allowing 20.2 points per game. TCU has been one of the best teams in the country at stopping the run. But the pass defense has been nothing to get excited about. The Horned Frogs are allowing 292.5 yards per game through the air.

What to Expect

This isn’t one of the ‘must see’ games on the college football schedule this weekend, but it’s not bad. It features a West Virginia team that loves to run the ball going against a TCU team that allows 2.4 yards per carry. West Virginia can’t afford to run the ball as often as it normally does. The Mountaineers are going to have to do something to keep the Horned Frogs from stacking the line of scrimmage to defend the run.

TCU is well-balanced on offense, and with the Mountaineers having no real strengths or weaknesses, the Horned Frogs aren’t likely to change anything. The Horned Frogs have to stick with what got them three straight victories. West Virginia doesn’t stand out against the run or the pass, so it will be up to TCU to take advantage of what the defense gives it.

Who to Beat On?

The West Virginia vs Texas Christian preview notes the college football spread of TCU -12 may be a shade high. Both teams are playing well right now. The NCAAF schedules have been a bit kind to West Virginia this season. The Mountaineers need to pick up a couple more victories to become bowl eligible. And the remaining schedule for West Virginia will give the team an excellent chance to do just that. But it will be hard to pull off the upset of TCU here.

The Horned Frogs are in the same boat, with a few remaining games against the big dogs of the college football world. TCU plays Texas and Oklahoma in the last three weeks, so having six wins before those two games would be ideal.

The Mountaineers are offering a little bit of value against the point spread. West Virginia +12 points is the way to go in this spot.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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