The struggling West Virginia Mountaineers will host the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, October 25th at 6 pm EST on ESPN+. This will be West Virginia’s first home game in Morgantown in nearly a month and TCU’s first visit since 2022. In the second annual 'Coal Rush' at Milan Puskar Stadium, here are a few fun over/unders to track throughout the game.
99.5 Passing Yards for WVU Quarterbacks
Okay, fine. If you’re a WVU fan, this one isn’t as fun as it is realistic. In each of the last three games (Utah, BYU, UCF), West Virginia’s leading passer has failed to reach the 100-yard mark through the air. As a team, they have only eclipsed 100 yards once, in the 38-24 loss at BYU when Khalil Wilkins (who is quesionable this week) and Scotty Fox Jr. combined for 135 yards. If the recent stats didn’t already clue you in, West Virginia ranks last in the Big 12 in passing yards per game. Their four touchdown passes all season have the Mountaineers tied with Oklahoma State for last in the league.
Despite some strong playmakers on defense, TCU is giving up the second-most passing yards per game across the Big 12. Though it’s painful to say, there are too many question marks to take over here. Take the under of 99.5 passing yards for WVU quarterbacks until they showcase something different.
70.5 Completion Percentage for Josh Hoover
It’s no secret that the WVU defense has struggled immensely in conference play. The performance of the secondary has taken a step back in recent games, with opposing quarterbacks seemingly picking them apart in the medium-to-long passing game. Over the last three weeks, West Virginia has allowed starting quarterbacks to complete 73% of their passes.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, who defensive coordinator Zac Alley said looked like a first-round draft pick during his press conference Tuesday, is arguably the most talented the Mountaineers have faced. He has completed 64% of his pass attempts over the last three weeks. Hoover also has 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in that span, and leads the Big 12 in passing touchdowns. While it’s tough to predict, Hoover has the talent around him to carve up the WVU secondary yet again. Take the over here.
9.5 Touches for Rodney Gallagher III and Cam Vaughn combined
The coaching staff has struggled to get both Gallagher and Vaughn involved in the offense during conference play. These two wideouts have had a combined 17 touches (including a few designed carries for Gallagher) over the last three games.
While you would be going against the recent narrative by taking the over, at some point, the urgency to get the ball to these two explosive playmakers will reveal itself. This is not by any stretch of the imagination a prediction for an offensive explosion. However, it is a prediction that Coach Rodriguez will eventually find a way to get these guys the ball; maybe it will happen this week. Take the over of 9.5 touches.