GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: West Virginia’s defense against Texas Tech’s offense. The Mountaineers are ranked 44th nationally in total passing yards allowed per game (193); that’s like a mediocre half for Texas Tech’s prolific attack. The Red Raiders lead FBS with 436 yards per game and 11 TD’s in four contests, with West Virginia not far behind at 374 yards per game (third in the nation). That means the WVU defense needs to find one more stop in a game that’s sure to be a shootout.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR David Sills V was in his first full season as a wideout last year and produced some prodigious offensive stats (60 catches, 980 yards and 18 touchdowns). He’s one of two West Virginia players (Grier is the other) named to the AP preseason All-American team and is off to a flying start this year with 19 catches for 246 yards and five touchdowns over the first three games. He’s a prototype slot receiver who can make the big catches over the middle and handle one-on-one hand-play with defensive backs.
ROSTER REPORT:
–West Virginia is converting 62 percent (20-of-32) of its third-down attempts, ranking No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 2 nationally
–QB Will Grier has started 14 games at West Virginia and the Mountaineers are averaging 37.9 points per game, fourth best in the nation among starting quarterbacks. Grier finished with 356 yards passing against Kansas State, marking the 12th time in his 14 starts that he has finished with 300 or more yards passing
–WR David Sills V finished with a career-best three touchdowns against Kansas State and Marcus Simms had 100-yards receiving for the second straight time in his career (5 catches for 136 yards).
–LB David Long Jr. is averaging 10.3 tackles per game, 7.0 solo tackles per game and 1.83 tackles for loss per game
