Oklahoma vs. West Virginia Preview and Prediction

The Oklahoma Sooners take the show on the road to face off with the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday, in a Big 12 showdown.

The Sooners are off to a strong start in 2014, knocking off Tennessee last week to improve to 3-0.

West Virginia has won two straight after dropping a close game to Alabama in their season opener.

Records:

Oklahoma: 3-0

West Virginia: 2-1

Last Meeting: Oklahoma won 16-7 in 2013

Key Stat:  After last week's outburst, West Virgini's Clint Trickett is third in the FBS in passing yards (1,224) and receiver Kevin White ranks second in receiving with 32 catches and 460 yards.

Oklahoma Outlook: The Sooners strong start has them ranked at number four heading into Big 12 play.

Quarterback Trevor Knight has played well, passing for 860 yards and four scores to this point.

Meanwhile, the defense has dominated, allowing just 33 points total across their first three games.

The Sooners will not have top rusher Keith Ford for this game, meaning Knight and the rest of the offense will have added pressure of trying to pick up the slack.

West Virginia Outlook: After a close loss to Alabama to start the year, the Mountaineers have put together two straight wins heading into this game.

They needed everything they could get last week, narrowly beating out Maryland in a 40-37 shootout.

In that game, quarterback Clint Trickett threw for 511 yards and four touchdowns. For the season he has thrown for over 1,200 yards and seven scores, turning the ball over just once.

What to watch for: West Virginia proved they can hang around with top competition, staying in the Alabama game until the fourth quarter.

This matchup pits Oklahoma's tough defensive unit against Trickett and a high-powered pass attack for West Virginia. Trickett has been almost perfect this year with turnovers, and will have to continue that trend to have success against the Sooners.

The bigger issue may be the defense, which was an issue for West Virginia last week. Trickett and the offense can only be asked to do so much to stay in this game.

What they're saying:

Don't expect WV's Kevin White to reprise Austin role (NewsOK)

Trickett - "Oklahoma exactly what we think they are" (Crimson and Cream Machine)

Prediction:

Oklahoma - 37 , West Virginia -23

The Sooners defense is just too good, and the West Virginia defense just isn't. No doubt Trickett and the offense will put up points, but if the Sooners offense can't be taken off the field, things will prove difficult for West Virginia.

Even without Kieth Ford, Oklahoma should do enough to grab a victory.

Back to the Oklahoma Sooners Newsfeed