Free Week 5 Prediction: Wildcats vs Mountaineers Odds
Looking for Kansas State Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers free picks? Week 5 College football betting sees the Wildcats taking on the Mountaineers Saturday October 1st at Milan Pusker Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 5
(2-1) Kansas State Wildcats vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0)
Date: Saturday, October 1st
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Milan Pusker Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia
NCAA Football Spread: West Virginia -3.0
NCAA Betting Total: 54.5
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This intriguing matchup between two Big 12 hopefuls will feature a powerful offensive attack from West Virginia and one of the nation’s best defenses thus far from Kansas State.
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The Mountaineers are averaging 533 yards per game and the Wildcats are only allowing 179 yards per game so something has to give.
Kansas State Wildcats
After losing Week 1 at Stanford, the Wildcats have relaxed their way through a rare Week 2 bye and blowout wins over Florida Atlantic and Missouri State.
Like many teams, the Wildcats were burnt by Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey. But, they kept the Cardinal passing attack in check and have only allowed 1 passing touchdown in three games.
Their offense has exploded against FAU and Missouri State – two weak opponents – using a heavy rushing attack with multiple backs leading the way.
To beat the Mountaineers, the Wildcats will need to slow down their quarterback Skyler Howard.
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They were able to do that in last season’s matchup – limiting Howard to a 45.2 completion percentage and just 1 passing touchdown.
The Wildcats quarterback play was very poor in the game though as Kody Cook and Joe Hubener combined to complete 10 of 31 passes for 206 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
The Wildcats have mainly used Jesse Ertz this season and he has been sharper. Ertz has completed 56 percent of his passes for 418 yards and 4 touchdowns with only 1 interception.
The Wildcats rushing attack has led the way in 2016 though featuring 8 guys with 8 or more attempts and a team average of 5.5 yards per carry.
It will be up to that rushing attack and the defense to control the Mountaineers as they can put up points in bunches.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers have been favored in all three games and won all three games – no surprises.
Yet, the defense was surprisingly impressive in their opener and they held off a tough challenge from BYU at a neutral site last week to move to 3-0.
The Mountaineers started 3-0 last season too before dropping four straight and settling for the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl in the postseason.
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But, the Mountaineers have their eyes on bigger things this season as head coach Dana Holgerson was quoted this week saying he believes they have a chance to win the Big 12.
Before they get a shot at the Big 12 powerhouses, they will need to take care of Kansas State this week at home and that will be challenging.
The Mountaineers gave up 280 rushing yards last week to BYU and will face an even better Kansas State rushing attack this week.
The Mountaineers have a very good rushing attack too – led by Justin Crawford and Rushel Shell along with their dual threat QB in Howard.
Howard has been playing with hurt ribs the last few weeks which hasn’t limited his willingness to take off and run.
While the Mountaineers prefer Howard sit back in the pocket and throw, the ability of him to tuck the ball and run with it makes him a nightmare to match up with.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Over is 6-3 in Kansas State’s last 9 conference games.
- West Virginia is averaging 34.8 points per game over their last 9 games.
- West Virginia has scored in the 1st quarter in 9 straight games.
- West Virginia has trailed at end of 1st quarter just once in last 9 games.
Free Week 5 NCAA Football Prediction
Kansas State will certainly use their running game to control the tempo but the West Virginia offense will be able to put points on the board. The Wildcat defense has great numbers but has hardly been tested as Stanford was their only true challenger.
I like the Wildcats to run all over the Mountaineers and Howard to respond with plenty of points.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Point Total Over 54.5
West Virginia should take this one at home but if they can’t get enough stops, they may run out of time to put up enough points to get the win.
Week 5 Free Score Prediction: West Virginia 36 – Kansas State 31
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