WVU still in line for Big 12 title shot
Inconsistent Cowboys can play spoiler first
STILLWATER, Okla. — No. 7-ranked West Virginia hopes for a spot in the Big 12 Conference championship and possibly a berth in the College Football Playoff.
The next challenge for the Mountaineers (8-1, 6-1) comes Saturday when they visit Oklahoma State (5-5, 2-5), which is coming off a 48-47 loss last week at No. 6 Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State has endured a disappointing and inconsistent season, with big wins over quality opponents (Boise State, Texas) and puzzling losses to others (Texas Tech, Kansas State, Baylor).
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen is focused on this game, not their big showdown against Oklahoma next week.
“It’s a big Big 12 game,” Holgorsen said. “It doesn’t get any better than this, so we need to get out there, travel the right way and be ready for a hostile environment, and handle it the way we know we can if we want to continue to win to remain in the conversation. This is a huge hurdle.
“It’s parity in college football, and you better have your stuff together every week or you’re going to get beat. We won’t look past this group, I can assure you that. I don’t care what their record is.”
The Cowboys, still seeking bowl eligibility for the 13th consecutive season, know they have another difficult task ahead.
“A lot of similarities to the game we just played,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy of West Virginia. “We’ll certainly have our hands full with these guys. We’ll get some good plans together and go play hard Saturday afternoon.”
There will be two top candidates for the Biletnikoff Award, honoring Football Bowl Subdivision’s top receiver, playing in the game. Oklahoma State sophomore Tylan Wallace and West Virginia senior David Sills V each were named among the 11 semifinalists for the prestigious award this week. Wallace ranks third in FBS with 1,282 receiving yards on 68 receptions, along with nine touchdowns, while Sills has 49 receptions for 687 yards and 12 touchdowns, although he has played one fewer game. The award’s three finalists will be announced Monday and the winner Dec. 6.
Oklahoma State fifth-year senior quarterback Taylor Cornelius, who spent the previous two seasons as Mason Rudolph’s primary backup, has progressed this season. He had a solid performance last week against Oklahoma, completed 34 of 53 passes for 501 yards and three touchdowns. He ranks sixth in FBS in passing yards, with 3,123.
“He just keeps on getting better and better from experience,” Gundy said. “He’s paid his dues and he has worked hard and it’s awesome for him that we were here to stick with him and believe in him. The guy is a competitor, he is tough.”