HornSports Staff
HornSports.com
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- Oct 20, 2013
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Alderman – The matchup on Saturday against WVU is probably the most important game for the Longhorns this season in terms of potential to become bowl eligible. WVU is coming off of a big emotional, last second loss, in Morgantown, to TCU; while the Longhorns pulled away in the second half against a banged up TexasTech in Lubbock.
WVU seemed to be coming into their own after beating Baylor and Oklahoma State, but the loss to TCU could cause a breakdown in the team and allow the Longhorns to sneak up on them. If we're being honest here, the Mountaineers have the more explosive offense and it will be near impossible for Texas to keep up with them if the game turns into a shootout. The best shot the Longhorns have to pull off the upset is for the defense to create turnovers and keep WVU out of the end zone.
The offense will have a difficult time moving the ball with constant blitzes from all angles from the WVU defense, but Texas' defense will, once again, pull their weight and give the Longhorns a puncher’s chance. Unfortunately, the game will come down to special teams and this is where Texas has been no better than sub-par all season. This game won't be any different.
Texas – 17
WVU – 23
Carrara – West Virginia has a prolific offense but the 'Eers are also -12 in turnovers this season. I expect the Longhorns to intercept a Clint Trickett pass or two, courtesy of pressure from Malcom Brown and company.
Texas needs to play loose and take some chances on offense if they want to win this game.
Charlie Strong gets his first win against a ranked team as head coach tomorrow.
Texas – 35
WVU – 34
Cotcher – This game, for me, comes down to the fact that I’m not sold on West Virginia. I am not convinced they’re that good.
Texas certainly has issues, but they’ll be playing with confidence and urgency on Saturday. The Horns know how important this game is. Conversely, I don’t think WVU will be emotionally or physically ready for another brawl like they had last week.
Texas – 31
WVU – 21
Feeley – Another show-down with a top ranked opponent! The Longhorns will have a great test this weekend against Big12 opponent and No. 24 West Virginia. The Mountaineers are a solid team with an explosive offense. Receiver Kevin White already has over 1,000 yards this season and WVU averages just over 500 yards of offense a game. However, WVU has needed to score all those points every game because they can't seem to stop anyone (Kansas scored twice and TTU put up 34pts). Although I'm willing to write the Tech game off as a fluke because this same team only lost to TCU by one point. Like most big 12 teams they rely heavily on the pass and that seems to be good news for the Longhorns!
I expect to see Texas mix things up and show some unique blitzes along with defensive fronts. However, I also expect things to stay pretty plain on offense. With the run game churning like it has been there's no reason to try to play a different game than they did last week. Sadly...
WVU – 31
Texas – 24
Flanagan – Every game is a must win for the Longhorns. Even if they win all the rest of their games, the prize is going to be a lower tier bowl game between Christmas and New Year's. But that's not the point…the point is for these seniors to have something to be proud of; to go to 4 straight bowl games. West Virginia is not going to be intimidated coming into Austin. They know they can win and they believe they can win. They also come in pissed off that they didn't beat TCU.
Guess what? Texas is not intimidated either. However, I don't think Texas is ready for the big stage yet. If only they scheduled like they do in the SEC.
WVU – 35
Texas – 21
Hinton – Call me crazy, but I think the Longhorns actually pull the upset this weekend. Swoopes will have more designed runs, opening up the rest of the offense. The defense will play well yet again, and the Horns will give Strong his biggest victory since he came to the Forty Acres, the "signature" win fans have been waiting for.
Texas – 24
WVU – 21
Hopkins – West Virginia handed Baylor their first loss of the season and are more than willing to hand Texas their sixth. Texas will need to stay diligent and keep their eyes on the prize to take home the W this week. A fluidly moving offense will be the Longhorns greatest asset, and should keep the momentum at a high level for the game. Swoopes will need to step up and connect with his receivers. After a long fight…
Texas – 28
WVU – 21
Roach – This season has been all over the map, and I don’t know that I have a good handle on what Longhorn team we are going to see this weekend. The last time I felt confident for an upset coming into a game the Horns were shutout in Manhattan, and that uniquely frustrating performance has made me a bit unsure going forward. This Longhorn team has shown all the signs at times of a team that could put a dangerous performance together, but the problem is they haven’t. Until they do, I’m not sure I can pick them against good teams. I think the defense keeps it close until West Virginia pulls away late in the game.
WVU – 27
Texas – 17
WVU seemed to be coming into their own after beating Baylor and Oklahoma State, but the loss to TCU could cause a breakdown in the team and allow the Longhorns to sneak up on them. If we're being honest here, the Mountaineers have the more explosive offense and it will be near impossible for Texas to keep up with them if the game turns into a shootout. The best shot the Longhorns have to pull off the upset is for the defense to create turnovers and keep WVU out of the end zone.
The offense will have a difficult time moving the ball with constant blitzes from all angles from the WVU defense, but Texas' defense will, once again, pull their weight and give the Longhorns a puncher’s chance. Unfortunately, the game will come down to special teams and this is where Texas has been no better than sub-par all season. This game won't be any different.
Texas – 17
WVU – 23
Carrara – West Virginia has a prolific offense but the 'Eers are also -12 in turnovers this season. I expect the Longhorns to intercept a Clint Trickett pass or two, courtesy of pressure from Malcom Brown and company.
Texas needs to play loose and take some chances on offense if they want to win this game.
Charlie Strong gets his first win against a ranked team as head coach tomorrow.
Texas – 35
WVU – 34
Cotcher – This game, for me, comes down to the fact that I’m not sold on West Virginia. I am not convinced they’re that good.
Texas certainly has issues, but they’ll be playing with confidence and urgency on Saturday. The Horns know how important this game is. Conversely, I don’t think WVU will be emotionally or physically ready for another brawl like they had last week.
Texas – 31
WVU – 21
Feeley – Another show-down with a top ranked opponent! The Longhorns will have a great test this weekend against Big12 opponent and No. 24 West Virginia. The Mountaineers are a solid team with an explosive offense. Receiver Kevin White already has over 1,000 yards this season and WVU averages just over 500 yards of offense a game. However, WVU has needed to score all those points every game because they can't seem to stop anyone (Kansas scored twice and TTU put up 34pts). Although I'm willing to write the Tech game off as a fluke because this same team only lost to TCU by one point. Like most big 12 teams they rely heavily on the pass and that seems to be good news for the Longhorns!
I expect to see Texas mix things up and show some unique blitzes along with defensive fronts. However, I also expect things to stay pretty plain on offense. With the run game churning like it has been there's no reason to try to play a different game than they did last week. Sadly...
WVU – 31
Texas – 24
Flanagan – Every game is a must win for the Longhorns. Even if they win all the rest of their games, the prize is going to be a lower tier bowl game between Christmas and New Year's. But that's not the point…the point is for these seniors to have something to be proud of; to go to 4 straight bowl games. West Virginia is not going to be intimidated coming into Austin. They know they can win and they believe they can win. They also come in pissed off that they didn't beat TCU.
Guess what? Texas is not intimidated either. However, I don't think Texas is ready for the big stage yet. If only they scheduled like they do in the SEC.
WVU – 35
Texas – 21
Hinton – Call me crazy, but I think the Longhorns actually pull the upset this weekend. Swoopes will have more designed runs, opening up the rest of the offense. The defense will play well yet again, and the Horns will give Strong his biggest victory since he came to the Forty Acres, the "signature" win fans have been waiting for.
Texas – 24
WVU – 21
Hopkins – West Virginia handed Baylor their first loss of the season and are more than willing to hand Texas their sixth. Texas will need to stay diligent and keep their eyes on the prize to take home the W this week. A fluidly moving offense will be the Longhorns greatest asset, and should keep the momentum at a high level for the game. Swoopes will need to step up and connect with his receivers. After a long fight…
Texas – 28
WVU – 21
Roach – This season has been all over the map, and I don’t know that I have a good handle on what Longhorn team we are going to see this weekend. The last time I felt confident for an upset coming into a game the Horns were shutout in Manhattan, and that uniquely frustrating performance has made me a bit unsure going forward. This Longhorn team has shown all the signs at times of a team that could put a dangerous performance together, but the problem is they haven’t. Until they do, I’m not sure I can pick them against good teams. I think the defense keeps it close until West Virginia pulls away late in the game.
WVU – 27
Texas – 17
