MOVING MOUNTAINS
OKLAHOMA, WEST VIRGINIA BATTLE FOR SPOT IN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
KEYS FOR OKLAHOMA
Red zone defense: It’s unrealistic to expect the Sooners to drastically improve on defense in the 2018 season. Eleven games into a season, a team is what it is, and this Oklahoma team goes as far as the offense and quarterback Kyler Murray takes it. Oklahoma doesn’t need the defense to be great, or even that good.
No turnovers: This Oklahoma offense is the only thing that can stop the Oklahoma offense. It turned the ball over twice against Texas and that was costly. A mistake-free game from Murray and the offense means a tough night for West Virginia and a possible rematch with the Longhorns.
KEYS FOR WEST VIRGINIA
Use the emotion: This game might not hold national championship implications for West Virginia after its upset loss in Stillwater against Oklahoma State. That doesn’t mean it won’t be rocking at night in Morgantown and the Mountaineers need to ride that early momentum to a strong start and a lead at halftime.
Run the football: Keeping Oklahoma’s offense off the field for large chunks of the game is the key to beating the Sooners. The fewer opportunities given to Murray the better. This contest will be billed as a showdown between the signal callers, and rightfully so, but the team that wins this game will play timely defense and control the line of scrimmage.
PREDICTION
Oklahoma 55, West Virginia 49: A spot in the Big 12 championship, likely against Texas, is on the line when the Sooners travel to West Virginia. The Mountaineers suffered a devastating loss in Stillwater last week, while Oklahoma continued to roll in a win over Kansas. The home crowd should help quarterback Will Grier and the West Virginia offense.