TCU vs. West Virginia Odds, Picks, and Predictions (10/29/2022)

In week nine of the College Football season, a very entertaining Big 12 matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the West Virginia Mountaineers will get underway. TCU enters this game on the heels of a huge surprise season so far, that sees them standing at 7-0 and ranked 7th in the AP polls. This has been a massive shock but they definitely have the resume to back up their record. They come into this game on a 4-game winning streak against ranked teams and now will have a game against a scrappy West Virginia team.

West Virginia will be playing at home against the Horned Frogs and Morganstown is no easy place for opposing teams to play. They stand at 3-4 currently but in their most recent home game was able to upset a Baylor team that entered this season in the top ten. They have taken tough losses to rival opponents in Texas and Texas Tech, but stealing a major win against a top ten team in TCU would certainly help them on their path to a bowl game. Let’s break into this game’s matchup picks and predictions:

TCU vs. West Virginia Betting Odds

On the road, TCU enters this game as favorites and that shouldn’t be a surprise with their top-ten ranking and their momentum and their undefeated record. They are moneyline favorites at -278 and a spread line of -7.5 points. That isn’t the largest margin especially for a team that has been on a hot-streak against ranked teams. That shows that West Virginia certainly has shown their ability to stay close in games despite their four losses. West Virginia also has QB J.T. Daniels this season who transferred from Georgia after losing his starting job to Stetson Bennett after injury. He is still getting used to his third offense in his college career and shaking off rust of a year off, but he is still that same QB who was recruited by USC and Georgia. West Virginia’s defense will need to be on top of their game to stay in this game. TCU QB Max Duggan has been on a tear this year with 19 TDs through the air and only one INT. They have a very deep receiver-core as Duggan has been getting connected with numerous receivers. RB Kendre Miller has been a force as well with 10 TDs and over 700 rushing yards.

The over/under total is currently 69 which is a high margin of points but both of these have shown their ability to score. TCU averages 44.7 points per game while West Virginia averages 34.9. TCU also averages 26.7 points allowed per game and West Virginia allows 33.7 per game.

TCU vs. West Virginia Picks & Predictions

My Pick: West Virginia +7.5 (-110)
I think TCU will find a way to win this game as they have shown their ability to win close games, but emphasis on “close”. I think this game will come down right to end and West Virginia finds a way to keep this one close and cover the 7.5 points. They struggle on the road but at home have found a way to always stay in games. TCU has managed to win against ranked teams on the road, but those two ranked teams they won on the road are no longer ranked and have struggled since. They are also surpassing expectations with their 7-0 start and could be due for a major upset alert and West Virginia would certainly be a team to crash a party at home. West Virginia’s defense would need to play better at turning it over. They only have two interceptions on the year and Duggan won’t be the best option to try to get those numbers up with his lone INT. They do have 5 fumbles however so if they can force the ball loose, that could be huge. LB Lee Kpogba also leads the team with 47 tackles so he will need to come out big to slow down this powerful TCU offense.

As for the over/under line I think this will be high-scoring but 69 points is just too many points for me to feel comfortable with taking a bet. I would take the under if I chose one as I could see West Virginia keeping it close forcing stops, but I will stay neutral with such a high total.

TCU vs. West Virginia Key Matchup

J.T. Daniels vs. TCU Defense

West Virginia will need their offense to be firing in order to keep this game close to cover with the Horned Frogs. TCU can score in bunches averaging over 40 points per game so J.T. Daniels will need to play great. He has 10 TDs and six INTS this year which certainly could be improved. WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton has five receiving TDs this year so if he is active in the air could be a good day offensively for the Mountaineers.