by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Oct 24, 2022
Time: Noon ET
Venue: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV
Where to watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: TCU -7
FanDuel: TCU -7
BetMGM: TCU -7.5
Caesars: TCU -7.5
Season record
No. 7 TCU: 7-0 (4-0 Big 12)
West Virginia: 3-4 (1-3 Big 12)
We’re quickly approaching the fun time of the year where conference title games are made and upsets are the norm in college football. After minimal change in the top-25 polls this week, what in the world can we expect this time around? One thing you can be sure of is Kyle Hunter and his 22-9-0 mark in college football over the last month. Sean Murphy has also seen a profitable month at 28-15-0 over the last 30 days. What does the world have in store this time around with what should be another exciting week of college football? Follow our best bets page and make sure to be in tune with what our champion handicappers have to say this week!
TCU - West Virginia preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
TCU: won 38-28 vs. No 17 Kansas State
West Virginia: lost 48-10 at Texas Tech
The TCU Horned Frogs continue to be on a roll entering Week 9 of the college football season. TCU, now No. 7 in the country and pushing hard for a spot in the College Football Playoff, is coming off a 38-28 win at home over No. 17 Kansas State in what’s been a fun week in Fort Worth over the last few weeks, starting with the double-overtime win against then-No. 8 Oklahoma State. TCU quarterback Max Duggan completed 17 of 26 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the Horned Frogs’ victory last week. They also found some fortiable balance in the running game with Kendre Miller running for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Quentin Johnson and Jared Wiley each had 74 receiving yards and a touchdown while Derius Davis hauled in just one pass for 65 yards, but it was good for one of Duggan’s three touchdowns. TCU’s defense has remained strong over the course of this season. Surprisingly, no sacks against the Cowboys, but they got three quarterback hurries and had three tackles for loss. Two interceptions, however, were had with Bud Clark and Tevious Hodgest-Thomspon.
The TCU Horned Frogs continue to be on a roll entering Week 9 of the college football season. TCU, now No. 7 in the country and pushing hard for a spot in the College Football Playoff, is coming off a 38-28 win at home over No. 17 Kansas State in what’s been a fun week in Fort Worth over the last few weeks, starting with the double-overtime win against then-No. 8 Oklahoma State. TCU quarterback Max Duggan completed 17 of 26 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the Horned Frogs’ victory last week. They also found some fortiable balance in the running game with Kendre Miller running for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Quentin Johnson and Jared Wiley each had 74 receiving yards and a touchdown while Derius Davis hauled in just one pass for 65 yards, but it was good for one of Duggan’s three touchdowns. TCU’s defense has remained strong over the course of this season. Surprisingly, no sacks against the Cowboys, but they got three quarterback hurries and had three tackles for loss. Two interceptions, however, were had with Bud Clark and Tevious Hodgest-Thomspon.
"We are playing with a lot of confidence ... there's no sense of panic," TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. "And that gives you a chance when you always believe that you can figure out a way to win. And more often than not, you're going to."
On the flip side, it’s been a rough few weeks for the West Virginia Mountaineers having lost two of three to respective Big 12 contenders Texas Tech and Texas. The Mountaineers did have a 43-40 win over Baylor but that doesn’t seem to be as strong of a game at this point as it pertains to the rest of the conference. West Virginia’s offense averages 35 points per game but has fallen victim to a hindered defense giving up 34 a game. The Mountaineers are coming off a 48-10 loss at Texas Tech last week. Quarterback JT Daniels threw three interceptions and the WVU offense was outgained by a whopping 594-282 while turning the ball over four times. It was a 31-3 game at one point during the third quarter and the only touchdown WVU could garner int hat game was a 28-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Wheaton.
"Not a whole lot to say. That's complete domination," WVU coach Neal Brown said. "Probably as disappointed as I've ever been as a football coach in my entire career, especially in the second half. We played about as bad as we possibly can play the game of football today."
Prediction
This is a classic case of David vs. Goliath. TCU has surprised a lot of folks this year by being such a well-rounded team on both sides of the ball. Sure, the Frogs find a way to give up points, but they always have a response. It’s what’s made Duggan such a dynamic force this year. And he’s not forcing the ball either. Duggan has thrown just one interception all year and has gotten great running production from Miller (731 yards, 10 TD). If they can get that kind of production again, it’s going to be a long day for this West Virginia defense. TCU’s defense has given up 27 a game, so there will be chances. But the fact that TCU is opening as 7.5-point favorites means the money isn’t hammered like it should be. You should do that. TCU by 21
Betting trends
TCU is 14-13 ATS in its last 27 games overall.
TCU is 6-5 ATS in its last 11 on the road.
TCU is 7-8 ATS after a straight-up victory in the last three years.
West Virginia is 7-8 ATS as an underdog the last three years.
West Virginia is 0-6 ATS since 1992 after allowing 325 passing yards or more in the previous two games.
Statistical leaders
TCU:
Passing: Max Duggan -- 1,871 yards, 19 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kendre Miller -- 731 yards, 10 TD
Receiving: Quentin Johnson -- 574 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Dee Winters -- 4.5 sacks
West Virginia:
Passing: JT Daniels -- 1,686 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Tony Mathis Jr. -- 492 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Bryce Ford-Wheaton -- 516 yards, 5 TD
Defense: Dante Stills -- 2.5 sacks
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this TCU Horned Frogs - West Virginia Mountaineers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college football projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
