POINTWISE
OKLAHOMA (11-2) vs WEST VIRGINIA (10-2)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
8:00 PM EST -- FOX TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
Oklahoma ... 42.0 .. 43-18 .. 19-14 .. 192- 92 ... 260-232.. + 9 . Oklahoma
W Virginia .. 41.4 .. 39-17 .. 21-18 .. 293-111 .. 158-184.. +12 . by 7.8 Pts
ANALYSIS
So now what? The Mountaineers of West Virginia were apparently assured of
a spot in the BCS title game, following their 66-21 destruction of Connecticut,
which decided the Big East title, & in the process, moved them to the #2 spot
in the nation. Then the unthinkable: a 13-9 home loss to 28? pt underdog, &
then 4-7 Pittsburgh. Sure, WV's brilliant QB White went out in the 2nd quarter
with a dislocated thumb, & no doubt the Mounties would have prevailed on the
field, if he was in for the duration, but their vaunted overland game was hardly
in gear, even before he went out. He averaged 6.7 ypr for the season, but was
at only 2.9 (11-41) at the time. Before that one, pure dynamite, as has been
the case at Morgantown for the past 3 years. Coupled with Slaton, they have
combined for 5,201 yds & 65 TDs rushing the past 2 years. Not only that, but
White also ranks 14th in the nation in passing (68%, 1,548 yds, 12 TDs, & 4
picks). A near unstoppable machine, averaging 39.3 ppg in the Mounties last
29 tilts. But, not only is White hurting, but bye-bye to the brilliance of coach
Rich Rodriguez, who has followed in the footsteps of WVa hoop coach John
Beilein, both heading to Michigan. Can the Mounties get it back in gear for an
Oklahoma Sooner "D" which has allowed >98 RYs to just 4 teams, this year,
including bowl teams Tulsa, Texas, Missouri, Texas Tech, Okla St, Missouri
with 1.2, 2.1, 1.9, 3,1, 3.1 ypr, respectively? The Okies are led by QB Bradford,
who ranks #1 in the land in passing (70%, 2,879 yds, 34 TDs, & just 7 INTs).
The Sooners have had to live with '06 Fiesta loss to Boise for more than a
year, so incentive is hardly lacking. Rodriguez? White? Too many questions.
PROPHECY: OKLAHOMA 33 - West Virginia 23 RATING: 6