6:00: Morning News

MetroNews staff picks: WVU will stripe the Wildcats in Big 12 opener

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The MetroNews staff submits our Week 4 picks with TLC for No. 12 West Virginia’s game against Kansas State:

Allan Taylor

West Virginia 41, K-State 20 — Skylar Thompson vs. Will Grier hardly sounds fair. Same goes for West Virginia’s WRs vs. that banged-up secondary. And did we mention that K-State’s run defense got manhandled in its only game against a Power Five opponent? After last week’s weather cancellation, the Mountaineers are hungry to open Big 12 play, and they’ll eat plenty against one of Bill Snyder’s more mediocre teams.

Allan’s other predictions:

  • Texas 23, TCU 22
  • Alabama 44, Texas A&M 18
  • Stanford 24, Oregon 20
  • Iowa 19, Wisconsin 17
  • Pitt 31, North Carolina 26

 

Randy Gyorko

West Virginia 30, K-State 23 — Outside of Oklahoma, Kansas State has given Dana Holgorsen and his group more fits than any other team in the Big 12. The Wildcats have a way of frustrating the Mountaineers attack. WVU has won the last two meetings, but both games weren’t comfortably in the ’Eers back pockets until the final seconds. This isn’t a traditional Kansas State outfit, but trends are trends for a reason.

Randy’s other predictions:

  • Texas 27, TCU 24
  • Alabama 45, Texas A&M 13
  • Oregon 34, Stanford 28
  • Wisconsin 27, Iowa 17
  • Pitt 52, North Carolina 37
Brad Howe

West Virginia 41, K-State 24 — West Virginia has averaged only 19 points per game against Kansas State since joining the Big 12 some six years ago. The last four meetings between these teams have been decided by an average of only three points per game. Both of those trends are going to change Saturday afternoon. West Virginia rolls.

Brad’s other predictions:

  • TCU 27, Texas 20
  • Alabama 42, Texas A&M 17
  • Stanford 31, Oregon 27
  • Wisconsin 23, Iowa 20
  • Pitt 27, North Carolina 23
Hoppy Kercheval

West Virginia 45, K-State 24 — Perfect conditions for football: A great 3:30 crowd, high-flying offense and an average-at-best Kansas State team. It all sets up for an impressive win and a 16-point cover for WVU. K-State will find a way to shorten the game a bit, holding the Mountaineers to the mid-40s and fans will leave still wondering if WVU’s defense is championship-caliber.

Hoppy’s other predictions:

  • TCU 28, Texas 24
  • Alabama 41, Texas A&M 14
  • Oregon 34, Stanford 24
  • Wisconsin 21, Iowa 17
  • North Carolina 31, Pitt 27
Kyle Wiggs

West Virginia 41, K-State 24 — The Mountaineers will win, but the game might be closer than many expect. K-State benefited by playing UTSA while WVU received their unanticipated bye week. Kansas State shut out West Virginia in the second half of last year’s game (won 28-23 by the Mountaineers) and Bill Snyder always fields a good road team. K-State won its last three league road games a year ago including 45-40 at Oklahoma State as a 21-point underdog.

Kyle’s other predictions:

  • TCU 24, Texas 21
  • Alabama 35, Texas A&M 24
  • Stanford 24, Oregon 21
  • Wisconsin 21, Iowa 17
  • Pitt 35, North Carolina 20




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