MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — When the Big 12 annexed West Virginia more than three calendar years ago, fans would have rejoiced at the thought of being an 8.5-point favorite over Texas.
Well, now it’s happening, though Mountaineer Nation isn’t exactly in a state of rejoicement. A couple thousand upper-deck tickets remained available as of Friday, according to the athletics department website. It’s more difficult to sell out a game between teams with a combined record of 8-9, even if the visitor is Texas.
Saturday’s winner probably won’t garner national headlines—unless a series of laterals are involved—but it will climb a step closer to bowl-eligibility. The MetroNews sports crew endorses West Virginia, in unanimity.
As for the Big 12’s marquee game in Waco, the panel likes Oklahoma in the mild upset by a 4-2 margin:
GARRETT CULLEN
West Virginia (-8.5) beats Texas 23-17
Marshall (-12) beats Florida International 30-17
Big 12’s best game: Oklahoma beats Baylor 41-38
National headliner: Alabama beats Miss. State 37-24
Worth watching: Memphis beats Houston 30-24
Underdog to cover: N.C. State (+8.5) covers in loss to Florida State 34-27
Underdog to win: Virginia (+14) beats Louisville 27-24
RANDY GYORKO
West Virginia (-8.5) beats Texas 34-13
Marshall (-12) beats Florida International 40-23
Big 12’s best game: Baylor (-2.5) beats Oklahoma 55-45
National headliner: Alabama beats Miss State 31-13
Worth watching: Houston (-7) beats Memphis 44-41
Underdog to cover: Minnesota (+12) covers in loss to Iowa 27-21
Underdog to win: Arkansas (+7.5) beats LSU 35-27
BRAD HOWE
West Virginia (-8.5) beats Texas 30-20
Marshall (+3) beats Florida International 34-17
Big 12’s best game: Oklahoma (+2.5) upsets Baylor 42-37
National headliner: Alabama (-8) beats Miss State 28-21
Worth watching: Houston (-7) beats Memphis 38-31
Underdog to cover: Washington State (+10) covers in a 35-31 loss to UCLA
Underdog to win: Arkansas (+7.5) beats LSU 28-24
GREG HUNTER
West Virginia (-8.5) beats Texas 24-17
Marshall (-12) beats Florida International 42-28
Big 12’s best game: Oklahoma (+2.5) upsets Baylor 35-31
National headliner: Mississippi State (+8) upsets Alabama 28-24
Worth watching: Memphis (+7) upsets Houston 47-45
Underdog to cover: South Carolina (+7.5) covers in loss to Florida 24-21
Underdog to win: Oregon (+10) upsets Stanford 35-27
TRAVIS JONES
West Virginia (-8.5) beats Texas 30-24
Marshall (-12) beats Florida International 38-14
Big 12’s best game: Baylor (-2.5) beats Oklahoma 41-35
National headliner: Alabama (-8) beats Miss State 27-20
Worth watching: Houston (-7) beats Memphis 38-35
Underdog to cover: Syracuse (+29) covers in loss to Clemson 30-17
Underdog to win: Kansas State (+5.5) beats Texas Tech 31-30
ALLAN TAYLOR
West Virginia (-8.5) beats Texas 23-16
Marshall (-12) beats Florida International 40-28
Big 12’s best game: Oklahoma (+2.5) upsets Baylor 45-40
National headliner: Alabama (-8) beats Mississippi State 26-20
Worth watching: Memphis (+7) upsets Houston 41-37
Underdog to cover: Iowa State (+14) covers in 30-20 loss to Oklahoma State
Underdog to win: Kansas State (+5.5) beats Texas Tech 37-33