West Virginia Mountaineers vs Oklahoma State Cowboys: Complete Game Preview

The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the West Virginia Mountaineers began the season with high expectations, although the Mountaineer's were much loftier.

However, both have fallen off the national map as of late.

Both team are reeling a little bit. Oklahoma State is having trouble it's quarterbacks on the field, while WVU has lost three straight in the Big 12.

This could be the key game to each team's seasons as they try to become bowl eligible and move up the Conference ladder.

Game-Day Information

Who: West Virginia at Oklahoma State

When: Saturday, November 10 at 2:30 p.m., CST

Where: Stillwater, OK

Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium (cap. 60,218)

Series History: West Virginia 2-1

TV: ABC

Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen) 

National Radio: ESPN Radio (Bill Rosinski, David Norrie and Joe Schad) 

Internet: okstate.com

Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 92, XM Ch. 196

What Happened to Oklahoma State Last Week

Turnovers.

That single word sums up the Cowboys' performance against Kansas State.

You can't win a game against anybody when you're coughing up the ball five times, and you especially can't expect to beat the second best team in the nation.

The Cowboys out-gained the Wildcats last Saturday, but those costly turnovers led to K-State points, which led to a K-State win.

Something has to change for the Pokes' young quarterbacks, as this marks the second time they've had three or more turnovers in a losing effort.

If there was one thing OSU Head Coach Mike Gundy stresses in practice this week, it's ball security.  

What Happened to West Virginia Last Week

Let's just say that, after last week, the Mountaineers hope they never see TCU wideout Josh Boyce again.

The junior receiver rumbled to 180 yards receiving and two touchdowns, as well as the go-ahead two-point conversion to seal the game in double overtime.

West Virginia's defense has been much maligned all season and has hurt the squad immensely in their current three game slide.

The offense is prolific, but the defense has given up 39+ points in each of their last five games.

That kind of a production, does not a winning team make.

What the Game Means for Both Teams

Both of these teams should be looking at this game as a chance to get a little bit of redemption.

Ok State and WVU began the season as supposed contenders, but each have had their stumbles this fall.

Neither are looking to challenge for the Big 12 title (outside of a monumental Kansas State collapse), but they could play their way back into a good bowl with an inspired end to the season. 

This game also marks the first time that former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator and current WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen comes back to Stillwater to face his former team.

If that's not enough to light a fire under both teams, I don't know what is. Look for huge performances all over the field, especially for each team's offense.

Key Player for West Virginia

Geno Smith

Smith's Heisman campaign might've gone off the rails a little bit in recent weeks, but he's still put together quite the impressive season.

A big win in Stillwater could get him back in the race for college football's biggest individual award. That said, just getting a win is much more important at this point.

The Mountaineers need to play themselves back into a higher bowl, and have a good chance to do so with back-to-back games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.

Look for Smith to put on one of his best performances as the season, as he tries (and probably will succeed) in keeping up the Pokes' offense. 

Key Player for Oklahoma State

Joseph Randle

Randle is Oklahoma State's best offensive player and, given the injury-plagued season at quarterback, this team has to lean on him to win games.

Sadly, he wasn't anywhere close to effective against Kansas State. To be fair, his carries were limited because OSU got down early, but 43 yards on 15 carries isn't going to cut it.

Randle has to dominate the Mountaineers' defense to help out his quarterback. No matter who starts at QB, an effective Joseph Randle means a much easier day behind center.

Game Prediction

This is tough game to pick, because it's all going to come down to which team gets hot late.

In fact, the two offenses are so good, it could just be a case of which team has the ball last.

Obviously, if you're a betting man, you have to take the over, as this game should clear the 100-point threshold and could break 120.

In the end, you have to go with the team with a proven commodity at quarterback.

West Virginia 63 Oklahoma State 56