Still Eyeing Big 12 Title, No. 11 West Virginia Meets Texas
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No. 11 West Virginia (7-1, 4-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) at Texas (5-4, 3-3), 12 p.m. (FS1)
Line: Texas by 2.
Series Record: West Virginia leads 3-2.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
West Virginia still has eyes on a Big 12 crown and needs a win to set up a critical matchup with conference leader Oklahoma next week. For Texas, coach Charlie Strong has seized momentum with two straight wins and a third victory over a ranked team would keep it rolling.
KEY MATCHUP
West Virginia's linebackers vs. Texas RB D'Onta Foreman. Foreman is the nation's leading rusher at 180 yards per game and may be the hottest player in the country right now. The Longhorns' ability to run on a stout defense will come down to who delivers more punishment when the 250-pound junior crashes into tacklers.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Virginia: WR Daikiel Shorts Jr. He ranks fourth in the Big 12 in receiving yards per game at 84.4 and Texas has struggled to contain big-play receivers. Look for Mountaineers quarterback Skyler Howard to dial up that connection early.
Texas: LB Malik Jefferson. Texas' all-everything sophomore got benched two weeks ago and responded in a huge way with 17 tackles and a sack in the last two games. Jefferson is the vocal and spiritual leader of the defense and his play elevates the entire unit when he's good.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Strong is 16-18 in three seasons at Texas but has an impressive four-game win streak against Top 12 teams since last season.
The Texas defense ranks third in the nation with 34 sacks. The Mountaineers average more points on the road (34.3) than at home (32.6).
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