This is an interesting game to cap. On the surface, V Tech seems to be the much better team and thus the play, but digging a little deeper this game looks pretty evenly matched. V Tech and WVU play very similar types of games. They each make their living with a solid run game (V Tech - 253 YPG @home, WVU - 245 YPG on road) but both are also excellent against the run (V Tech allows 76 YPG rushing @ home and WVU allows 91 YPG on the road). So basically, each team's strength plays right into the other team's strength. Neither one does much passing (V Tech - 118 YPG @ home, WVU 144 YPG on the road) and each team has problems stopping the pass (V Tech allows 240 YPG @ home while WVU allows 204 YPG on the road). Give a slight edge to WVU in this area but basically each team's weakness is the other's weakness as well.
So where does that leave us? Obviously, if one of the teams can get the run game going they will be playing the type of game that they want and will probably win. Otherwise, both teams will be forced to put the ball in the air a lot more, and that could lead to some turnovers. I think that neither of these teams are well equipped to mount a big rally, if either teams gets out to a double digit lead the other will have a very difficult task ahead of them. But I don't look for that to happen. I think both teams will try to move the ball on the ground until they're absolutely positive that it won't work, so I look for a hard-fought, smash-mouth game. Both teams have statements to make. V Tech has had a week and a half to stew in that Syracuse loss so you know they're pumped. Someone (can't remember who) in Wilson's thread talked about WVU having lost to V Tech each of the last 4 years, so you know that WVU wants to make a statement. Add into the mix the fact that Jones is not 100% for V Tech (although he probably will play) and I think that 7.5 is just too much for what should be a close game.
Take the Mountaineers and the points (also lean to the under):
WVU +7.5
So where does that leave us? Obviously, if one of the teams can get the run game going they will be playing the type of game that they want and will probably win. Otherwise, both teams will be forced to put the ball in the air a lot more, and that could lead to some turnovers. I think that neither of these teams are well equipped to mount a big rally, if either teams gets out to a double digit lead the other will have a very difficult task ahead of them. But I don't look for that to happen. I think both teams will try to move the ball on the ground until they're absolutely positive that it won't work, so I look for a hard-fought, smash-mouth game. Both teams have statements to make. V Tech has had a week and a half to stew in that Syracuse loss so you know they're pumped. Someone (can't remember who) in Wilson's thread talked about WVU having lost to V Tech each of the last 4 years, so you know that WVU wants to make a statement. Add into the mix the fact that Jones is not 100% for V Tech (although he probably will play) and I think that 7.5 is just too much for what should be a close game.
Take the Mountaineers and the points (also lean to the under):
WVU +7.5
