Texas vs. West Virginia Complete Game Preview
The Texas Longhorns are back in Austin and will face a much-improved West Virginia team Saturday.
The Longhorns are coming off a 34-13 win over Texas Tech but will need to be mentally prepared for the Mountaineers, who suffered a devastating last-second loss to TCU last weekend.
Texas will have the crowd on its side, but it's going to take a lot more than just the crowd to pull an upset over West Virginia.
When: Saturday, Nov. 8, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
TV: FS1
Austin radio: KVET 98.1/1300
SiriusXM satellite radio: XM 202; Sirius 117; Internet 969; Spanish 550
Last meeting: Nov. 9, 2013, Morgantown, West Virginia
Last meeting outcome: Texas 47, West Virginia 40
Opening spread: West Virginia (-3.5), per OddsShark.com
Texas Keys to Victory
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Put Together a Complete Game
The Longhorns are coming off a week where the team played well in all three phases of the game.
Texas' win over Texas Tech was the first time the Longhorns had a complete performance. It wasn't perfect from start to finish, but the Longhorns overcame a slow start and finished with a win.
The same thing needs to happen Saturday.
West Virginia has somewhat become the dark horse of the Big 12. The Mountaineers proved they were here to compete in a close Week 1 loss to Alabama and have continued that trend throughout the season.
The Longhorns have to come together, play well on all sides of the ball and use the home-field advantage in order to have a chance against West Virginia.
Shut Down Kevin White
West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett is having a breakout season. The former Florida State Seminole leads the Big 12 with 2,925 passing yards and 325 passing yards per game. But a lot of Trickett's success is because he has one of the best wide receivers on his team.
Kevin White is Trickett's No. 1 target. He has caught 75 passes for 1,075 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. The next closest receiver in catches is Mario Alford, who has 48 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Longhorns secondary needs to stay on White and pressure Trickett to throw to his other receivers.
West Virginia Keys to Victory
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Pressure Tyrone Swoopes
The Longhorns offense has played inconsistently all season. Quarterback Tyrone Swoopes is learning on the fly what it takes to lead a team. But the team goes as the quarterback goes.
When Swoopes has been on point, the Longhorns have pulled out wins. But this has not happened often this season.
West Virginia needs to take advantage of Swoopes and the Texas offense's inconsistencies Saturday.
Take the Crowd Out of the Game
Texas has yet to sell out a game in 2014. In fact, the Longhorns' attendance numbers are lower than normal in Strong's first season.
But Saturday's game could draw a larger crowd, so the Mountaineers need to be prepared to come out fast and take any crowd momentum out of the game.
The good news for West Virginia is Texas fans do not typically get loud at home. So taking the crowd out of the game should be a fairly easy task.
Texas Players to Watch
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LB Steve Edmond
Texas linebacker Steve Edmond is putting together a solid senior season. He leads the Longhorns with 11 tackles for losses, and his 4.5 sacks places him tied at second on the team.
Prior to this season, Edmond showed flashes of talent but didn't display it in every game. His last season at Texas is a different story.
Edmond's improvement has been evident in every game this season. And he continues to pressure opposing offenses with each passing game.
Keep an eye on No. 33 Saturday.
RB Malcolm Brown
Running back Malcolm Brown is coming off a game where he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, which was the first time the senior had a 100-yard rushing performance all season.
When the offensive line opens up holes for Brown, he can be a huge headache for opposing defenses.
If the O-line can do its job against West Virginia, Brown could put together another 100-yard rushing game.
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West Virginia Players to Watch
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QB Clint Trickett
Trickett has developed into a force to be reckoned with in his senior season. The 6'2" quarterback ranks No. 4 in the nation in passing yards and has thrown 18 touchdowns through nine games of the season.
Trickett is not a player who will utilize his legs very often, but his arm is a potentially destructive weapon to opposing defenses.
WR Kevin White
White is arguably one of the best wide receivers in college football. The senior ranks No. 4 nationally in passing yards per game and No. 3 in total receiving yards.
White is Trickett's go-to guy in the passing game. He leads the Mountaineers in receptions and receiving touchdowns. He has become one of the most lethal weapons and will pose a threat to the Longhorns on Saturday.
What They're Saying
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Texas head coach Charlie Strong
"It's all about us getting prepared for West Virginia. They're an outstanding football team. The good thing about it is we have them at home. We need to play good at home. We haven't played well at home all season long. We haven't done a great job of defending our home turf. We know we're playing a really good football team, so we're going to have to be at our best."
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen
"(Texas) is well coached and getting better. Charlie has done a great job doing it his way. I see a team improving each week and are playing with more confidence now than they were earlier this year. It's a hard working group. Defensively, I see a lot of the same guys we played against last year. Offensively, they have some good backs and good receivers. They've still got some good players and they are going to be an improved confident team. We're going to have our work cut out for us."
Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs
"We just need to finish, put everything together and quit giving away the little things that we've given away all year. I just think the guys need to lock in and focus and get in the film room every day and prepare. It's going to be a fun week. The guys are hungry. We want to get to a bowl game, but we've got to go one week at a time. I think we just need to put everything together and go out and play our best game."
Prediction
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The Longhorns should have some confidence from last week's win over Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders are a much less talented team than the Mountaineers.
Texas is going to have its hands full Saturday against a West Virginia team that has a potent offense and a much-improved defense.
West Virginia is coming off a heartbreaking, last-second loss to TCU and will likely come to Austin with fire in its eyes.
The Longhorns have the opportunity to make a statement against the Mountaineers and will need to do so in order to keep their bowl hopes alive.
Will Texas pull through and upset West Virginia?
Unfortunately for Texas fans, this game could be another close-but-no-cigar situation for the Longhorns.
West Virginia 28, Texas 24
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.
Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's featured columnist covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.
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