http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/preview?gameId=322940277
A Big 12 heavyweight battle that has so much at stake truly will be a joy to watch whether you despise a lack of defense or not. West Virginia’s defense has horrendous this season and nothing has changed last week when they were thumped by Texas Tech.
While we say horrendous, shall we take a look at the gaudy numbers they are currently posting?
The Mountaineers are 43rd against the run (131.33 YPG), 118th against the pass (364.67 YPG), 114th in total defense (496 YPG) and 109th in scoring defense (37.33 PPG). Kansas State may just have the best defense in the Big 12 (right there with OU). They ranked No. 15 against the run (101.17 YPG), 74th against the pass (238.5 YPG), 31st in total defense (339.67 YPG) and 19th in scoring defense (16.5 PPG).
Arthur Brown is one of the finest defensive players on the planet alongside players such as Manti Te’o, Jadevon Clowney, Matt Elam and Jarvis Jones.
However, the Wildcats a few ballers on that side of the ball thanks to studs like Nigel Malone, Ty Zimmerman, Justin Tuggle, Adam Davis and Tre Walker to name a few.
This is a stout defense that forced Oklahoma into costly turnovers that may end up costing them a BCS title and instead could perhaps grant the Wildcats into title contention.
They need to put their best performances together against what should be an angry Mountaineers offense that fell into the moment in Lubbock. Geno Smith has way too many viable options in the passing game to struggle. Anybody would be thrilled to have J.D. Woods, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin to run routes for them.
Throw in Andrew Buie in the backfield and this team is more than capable of moving the ball with against a legit Wildcat defense. Everybody still is questioning whether or not Kansas State is a top 5 team in America. The computer’s have them at No. 4 just like the Harris Poll (Coaches have them No. 3). Everybody’s All-American these days alongside Geno would be Collin Klein, who is arguably the most valuable player in the country to his team.
Without Klein, who knows where this team would be. A physical specimen when he runs, Klein is simply unstoppable and the Mountaineers defense better come up with an idea to slow him down. Everybody always talks about the Wildcats passing game is not good enough to carry them towards a New Year’s Day bowl, but in Klein we should trust.
He is a Houdini in the pocket and escapes like Fran Tarkenton, but can somebody put the madness to bed already?
Kansas State is as legit as it gets these days and Mr. Klein is a near mortal lock to receive a Heisman invitation to New York City.
I may have some questions before the season, but the thumping they have put on nearly every team they have faced thus far has done more than just answer the critics.
This will be the only remaining game on the slate in which they may be considered underdogs by the folks out in Vegas.
Pull off another thrilling victory and it may be time for Klein to be considered the heavy frontrunner as he is on a team that is more than capable of reaching the BCS National Championship with a tiny amount of luck involved of course.
Both of these teams are sensational on third downs because they always seem manageable and this will be the key to the game. Can Geno Smith relax and stay more poised in the pocket and can the defense pony up to avoid getting gashed by Klein?
Night time in Morgantown gets borderline scary and even though we are over a week away from Halloween, give me those folks that love nothing more than burning couches after electrifying victories.
Network: FOX
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: WV by 3
Danny V’s Pick: West Virginia 38, Kansas State 31
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