Oklahoma-West Virginia: AllSooners Staff Picks

John Hoover

Maybe Oklahoma is reeling after losing two in a row. Or maybe the Sooners are just unlucky with a couple of bad plays and a couple of bad calls and a couple of bad coaching moves and a couple of injuries in a couple of close losses on the road against a couple of ranked teams. But West Virginia doesn’t care. OU is a 13-point favorite, but the Mountaineers are coming to Norman to win the football game. Is this Sooner squad mature enough to fight through adversity and pull out a win? Maybe. But maybe the real OU has revealed itself the last couple of weeks: still young, still inexperienced, still lacking composure when things get tense — still growing into Brent Venables’ vision.

Final: West Virginia 33, Oklahoma 30

Ryan Chapman

For the fourth straight week, Oklahoma will have to slow down one of the nation’s most efficient rushing attacks. Led by the backfield duo of quarterback Garrett Greene and running back CJ Donaldson Jr. Last year, Greene got the best of the Sooners in reserve for starting quarterback JT Daniels, rushing for 119 yards and two scores on just 14 carries. He’s been just as good this year, adding the vertical passing game to his arsenal to keep opposing defenses off balance. As a result of WVU’s rushing attack, the Mountaineers hold onto the ball for an average of 34 minutes per game, making every offensive possession that much more important. That’s bad news for an Oklahoma offense that has been wasteful in the past two losses. The Sooners have turned the ball over six times, including two fumbles immediately after the snap in last week’s Bedlam defeat. Even when they’ve held onto the ball, the Sooners have struggled to extend leads and put away games, something that will be a recipe for disaster against a West Virginia team who is one of the most disciplined units in the Big 12. I don’t expect OU to suddenly change its stripes this week, but limiting the turnovers should be enough to escape the final Big 12 matchup against West Virginia with a win.

Final: Oklahoma 31, West Virginia 28

Ross Lovelace

The Sooners still have a 10-win season in sight, and a bowl game could push them to win No. 11. No matter how much of a letdown it is, it’s still worlds better than 6-7 a year ago. This is a rebuild, and it could be a longer process than expected. But, double digit wins after scraping by to make a bowl is improvement. The leaders on the team have been having heart-to-hearts with the locker room so it seems, and they seem determined to not let this thing spiral like it did a season ago. I think the Sooners come out looking like a different team with something to prove. Even though motivation is a question, Brent Venables is still coaching for a 10-win season and the team will want to keep any chance of a Big 12 title appearance alive. It’ll be perfect football weather and Oklahoma’s offense will get back on track — especially through the air. Expect plenty of points and less drive killing plays.

Final: Oklahoma 38, West Virginia 24

Randall Sweet

Oklahoma has obviously stumbled in two consecutive road contests, but the Sooners' will have an opportunity to right the ship against a solid West Virginia team back in Norman on Saturday. While the Mountaineers have a good offensive line and a solid rushing attack, OU's offense should be able to keep pace with WVU if Jeff Lebby's crew can eliminate costly penalties and not turn the ball over. While the two aforementioned mistakes hurt the Sooners against Kansas and Oklahoma State, being back at home may help Oklahoma play a clean game. On defense, the play of Danny Stutsman (if healthy), Jaren Kanak, Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie will be crucial for OU, as the team will need its linebackers to step up against a run-heavy offense.

Final: Oklahoma 34, West Virginia 28