West Virginia (2-2, 1-0 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (3-2, 0-2), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Oklahoma State by 4 1/2.
Series record: Oklahoma State leads 10-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Oklahoma State was picked to finish third in the Big 12 preseason poll and was expected to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. But the Cowboys have opened conference play with losses to Utah and Kansas State and are in danger of falling completely out of the league race. Running back Ollie Gordon II has gotten off to a relatively slow start this season but showed signs of regaining his form last week. West Virginia could emerge as a sleeper if it can pull out a win. Mountaineers coach Neal Brown would get a nice boost with a quality road win.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma State QB Alan Bowman vs. West Virginia secondary. Bowman, the seventh-year quarterback, ranks seventh in FBS with 1,537 yards passing. He occasionally makes mistakes, but he has ample opportunities to do damage with a group of talented receivers because defenses are so focused on Gordon. West Virginia has one of the worst pass defenses in the nation and it will be tested.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
West Virginia: RB Jahiem White. The 5-foot-7 sophomore has been limited to 194 yards on 37 carries in four games, an average of 48.5 yards. He led the Mountaineers with 842 rushing yards a year ago.
Oklahoma State: WR De’Zhaun Stribling. The big play threat has emerged as one of the nation’s top playmakers. He ranks ninth in FBS with 502 yards receiving and averages 18.6 yards per catch. His presence has balanced Oklahoma State’s passing game, creating space for receptions leader Brennan Presley on shorter routes.
FACTS & FIGURES
West Virginia has a 10-19 record on the road under Brown, including 10 losses by at least 17 points. The Mountaineers won 24-19 on their last trip to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 2022. … West Virginia allowed Gordon to rush for 282 yards and four TDs in a 48-34 win a year ago in Morgantown, West Virginia. … The game will feature several of the Big 12’s top tacklers. Oklahoma State’s Trey Rucker and Nick Martin are 1-2 in total tackles, while West Virginia’s T.J. Jackson leads the conference with 8.5 tackles for loss and has 3.5 sacks.
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