The West Virginia Mountaineers are off to an 0-3 start in conference play and sit at 2-4 overall. Coming off the bye week, WVU will be on the road against the Knights of UCF. Kickoff is set for 1pm EST on TNT. UCF also enters the matchup winless in conference play with an 0-3 record and 3-3 overall. Here are some Over/Unders to keep an eye on in Saturday’s game.
3.5 Quarterbacks Throw a Pass
To prefaces, the line of 3.5 is set as a combined total for both WVU and UCF. Both of these teams have had a bit of an unpredictable season as it relates to the quarterback position.
West Virginia’s Nicco Marchiol was the team’s starter through the first four games before being ruled out for the season with an injury. Senior Jaylen Henderson got the start the next week against Utah and struggled immensely before he was ruled out for the team’s road matchup with BYU. It was redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins getting the start in the loss. Wilkins’ performance proved to be a bit of a mixed bag, but he may very well get the start against UCF. Freshman Scotty Fox Jr. and Jaylen Henderson appear to be in the mix as well.
Much like the Mountaineers, the Knights have had a bit of a revolving door at quarterback. It appears they will enter the matchup with WVU with a banged-up quarterback room, leaving it hard to predict which of the three UCF quarterbacks will get the start.
Against Cincinnati last week, Senior Cam Fancher got the start, throwing for 222 yards while completing 28-of-49 pass attempts. Fancher also got it done on the ground with 108 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Indiana transfer Tayven Jackson has received the most reps at QB this year, totaling 906 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
Take the over 3.5 here. We may very well see at least 2 quarterbacks for both of these teams who are desperate to get in the win column in Big 12 play.
16.5 Rush Attempts for Khalil Wilkins
Assuming head coach Rich Rodriguez decides to go with Khalil Wilkins at starting quarterback again, we will likely see Wilkins try to pick up yards with his legs.
Against a talented BYU defense, the redshirt freshman ran it 23 times for 89 yards and a touchdown. Of course, 23 carries per game does not seem sustainable for Wilkins in this Mountaineers' offense. Given the uncertain nature of the quarterback position for WVU, take the under here for Wilkins.
But let's add in a twist – if this line of 16.5 quarterback carries is independent of which players get those carries, take the over of 16.5 for quarterback rushes for WVU. If Jaylen Henderson or Scotty Fox also see action, they'll be running the ball plenty too.
12.5 Total Tackles for Chase Wilson and Fred Perry
Among the few bright spots for the Mountaineers since entering Big 12 play are Chase Wilson and Fred Perry.
The performances of both Wilson and Perry allowed WVU’s previous matchup with BYU to be only a 14-point loss. Through three Big 12 games, Wilson has 17 total tackles and an interception. Fred Perry has 22 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery over those same three games.
With 39 tackles combined, Wilson and Perry are averaging 13 tackles per game. Take the over of 12.5 here, expect these two to perform well yet again.