The West Virginia Mountaineers can move one step closer to a bowl appearance when they host the struggling Texas Longhorns on Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va. The Mountaineers (4-6, 2-5 in Big 12) need to win their final two games in order to qualify for a bowl. After facing Texas, they play at Kansas next week. Meanwhile the Longhorns (also 4-6, 2-5) are mired in a five-game losing streak, the program's longest since the 1956 team lost eight in a row en route to a 1-9 season. They are coming off a shocking 57-56 loss to Kansas as 31-point favorites.
Kickoff is set for noon ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Mountaineers as 2.5-point favorites in the latest West Virginia vs. Texas odds. The over-under for total points is set at 56.5, down two points from the opening line. Before making any Texas vs. West Virginia picks, be sure to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters Week 12 of the 2021 season on a 36-23 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has dialed in on West Virginia vs. Texas and just revealed its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see all of the model's college football picks. Now, here are the college football odds and betting lines for Texas vs. West Virginia:
- Texas vs. West Virginia spread: Mountaineers -2.5
- Texas vs. West Virginia over-under: 56.5 points
- Texas vs. West Virginia money line: Mountaineers -135, Longhorns +115
- WV: Defense ranks 10th in the country in tackles for loss per game (7.2)
- TEX: Xavier Worthy is tied for the FBS lead in receiving touchdowns (11)
Why West Virginia can cover
West Virginia faces a Texas team that will be missing key players. The Longhorns will be without sophomore running back Bijan Robinson, who is out for the rest of the season with an elbow injury. Widely considered one of the top running backs in the country, he ranks eighth in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (142.2) and ninth in rushing yards per game (112.7). Texas also will be without top cornerback Josh Thompson, who also is out for the year with a leg injury,
In addition, the Mountaineers have a big advantage on fourth downs. The offense is converting 66.7 percent of its first downs this season, which ranks 20th in the country. Meanwhile the Texas defense is allowing opponents to convert 66.7 percent of their first downs, which is 115th in the nation.
Why Texas can cover
Quarterback Casey Thompson is having an efficient season. The 6-foot-1 junior from Newcastle, Okla., leads the Big 12 and ranks 13th in the country in passing touchdowns (23) despite sharing snaps with Hudson Card. Thompson also ranks third in the conference and 13th in the nation in passing efficiency (163.7).
In addition, Thompson and the offense will have a key contributor back in receiver Jordan Whittington. A 6-foot-1 wideout, Whittington is set to return to the lineup after missing the last four games with a broken clavicle. Prior to the injury he already had set career highs in receptions (24), receiving yards (359) and receiving touchdowns (three) in just six games.
How to make West Virginia vs. Texas picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 56 points. It also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model's Texas vs. West Virginia pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Texas vs. WVU? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Texas vs. West Virginia spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is on a 36-23 run on top-rated side picks, and find out.