West Virginia vs. Texas Spread has Longhorns at -6.5: Mountaineers See 60 Percent of Action
Carrie Stroup here with your West Virginia vs. Texas spread, available here at Sportsbook.com. Claim up to $250 in FREE CASH when joining and be sure to mention promo code CARRIE. Mobile and live wagering is available.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Texas -6.5 & 74
Opening Line & Total: Longhorns -7 & 75
Those betting the spread were backing the Mountaineers at a 60 percent clip. This game should see some significant wagering action.
No. 8 West Virginia and No. 11 Texas meet for the first time in 56 years as both highly-ranked, Big 12 unbeatens take the field at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday night.
This game features the nation’s two highest passing efficiency quarterbacks. WVU’s Geno Smith (208.37 rating) also leads the nation with 457 total YPG, completing 83.4% of his passes for 1,728 yards, 20 TD and 0 INT. Texas QB David Ash (184.03 rating, 2nd in nation), has connected on 78.0% of his throws for 1,007 yards, 10 TD and 1 INT. The Mountaineers are on a three-game ATS skid despite 143 points (47.7 PPG), while the Longhorns are on a three-game ATS winning streak. Not only is Smith the best player in college football right now (10.2 yards per pass attempt), but the Texas defense hasn’t tackled anybody for two weeks. After allowing a bad Ole Miss team to score 31 points with 399 yards, Oklahoma State scored 36 with 576 yards and should’ve won the game if not for a missed fumble on the ‘Horns game-winning TD.
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Smith has the top two receivers in the nation in terms of receptions with Tavon Austin (12.0 per game) and Stedman Bailey (10.3 per game). Baylor’s Terrence Williams is the only FBS receiver with more yards (167 rec. YPG) than Bailey (159 rec. YPG) or Austin (140 rec. YPG). The pair comprised most of Smith’s 656 passing yards and 8 TD last week, as the WR duo combined for 518 yards and 7 TD. RB Andrew Buie also rushed for two touchdowns, but was held to 82 yards on 25 carries (3.3 YPC). Although the Mountaineers defense was lit up by Baylor for 63 points and 700 yards last week, this D-line continues to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks, ranking 12th in the nation in sacks (3.3 per game) and eighth in Tackles For Loss (8.5 per game).
2012 Week 6 College Football Betting Lines:
Washington +24 Oregon Bet Now
LSU -2.5 Florida Bet Now
Georgia +2 South Carolina Bet Now
West Virginia +6.5 Texas Bet Now
Miami (FL) +13 Notre Dame Bet Now
Nebraska +3 Ohio State Bet Now
Georgia Tech +10 Clemson Bet Now
Oklahoma -4.5 Texas Tech Bet Now
Arizona +8.5 Stanford Bet Now
Northwestern +3 Penn State Bet Now
Ash is coming off another great game against Oklahoma State last week, completing 30-of-37 passes for 304 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. All three of the touchdowns went to Jaxon Shipley, who leads the team with 17 receptions. With top RB Malcolm Brown getting injured last week, Texas managed a paltry 136 rushing yards on 42 carries (3.2 YPC). With Brown out for Saturday’s game, Joe Bergeron will be the main ball carrier. He injured his shoulder a couple of weeks ago, but scored both rushing touchdowns against the Cowboys, gaining 48 yards on 15 carries. Texas is also concerned about its porous run defense allowing 180 rushing YPG (86th in nation). Last year, the ‘Horns gave up just 96 rushing YPG, which ranked sixth in the country. They are also surrendering way too many big plays, allowing five touchdowns of 44+ yards this season. Texas continues to be opportunistic on defense though, forcing eight turnovers in the four victories.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
