West Virginia vs. Missouri Prediction
Can West Virginia find a way to pick up an upset win when it goes on the road to face Missouri on Saturday at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
319 West Virginia vs. 320 Missouri
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Noon ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Missouri is the favorite at home in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -14 points against WVU. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 62.5 points. The public betting currently has 53 percent going on West Virginia as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Mountaineers struggle with James Madison
West Virginia had its first game under new coach Neal Brown last Saturday in a 20-13 win over James Madison at home. The Mountaineers pushed as a 7-point favorite while going well under the 52.5-point total.
The Mountaineers were typically an offensive power under Dana Holgorsen, but they were held to just 294 yards against James Madison, which is typically a FCS contender. WVU did hold James Madison to just 328 total yards. WVU couldn’t establish much of a run game, as they had just 34 yards on 24 carries, an average of 1.4 ypc. Austin Kendall led the team with 260 passing yards and two touchdowns. Tevin Bush caught four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Missouri falls at Wyoming
The 2019 season didn’t get off to a great start for Missouri, as the Tigers suffered a 37-31 loss at Wyoming last weekend. The Tigers were a 15-point road favorite coming into the game and they went well over the 53.5-point total.
Missouri had a 537-389 advantage over Wyoming in total yards, but the Tigers committed three turnovers in the loss. Missouri gave up 297 rushing yards in the loss. Offensively, the Tigers were able to air the ball out with former Clemson QB Kelly Bryant, who threw for 423 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant spread the ball around nicely, as five different players had over 60 receiving yards. On the ground, Missouri had just 114 rushing yards on 42 carries.
College Football Betting Trends
West Virginia
The Mountaineers are 0-3-1 against the spread in their last four road games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games following a win.
Missouri
Missouri is 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 home games, but just 1-5 ATS in their last six against Big 12 opponents.
Prediction:
West Virginia has had a history of covering against Missouri, doing so in the last four meetings, dating back to 1993. Missouri didn’t look good on the road, but did move the ball. West Virginia struggled at home with a respectable FCS team and didn’t have much offense to be excited about. The Mountaineers will need offense to win this game, or even cover. Missouri is likely to be easier to move on than James Madison, but I am not sure WVU can move at the pace that Missouri will. If not for three turnovers, the Tigers may have beaten Wyoming comfortably. At home, in a second game with Bryant at QB, I think Missouri is more efficient and avoids the turnovers. I will go with the Tigers to cover the spread as WVU continues its transition to a new coach.
College Football Week 2 Prediction: Missouri -14