Free Week 14 Prediction: Mountaineers vs Wildcats Odds
Week 14 College football betting sees the West Virginia Mountaineers taking on the Kansas State Wildcats Saturday December 5th at Bill Snyder Stadium, Manhattan Kansas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 14
West Virginia Mountaineers (7-4) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (5-6)
Date: Saturday, December 5th
Time: 4:30 PM
Venue: ACC Championship, Bill Snyder Stadium, Manhattan KS
NCAA Football Spread: West Virginia -6
NCAA Betting Total:
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The top end of the Big 12 Conference is overloaded with Oklahoma and Texas squads, not unlike the old Big Eight days.
Thus, these conference middle powers do battle in an end of season tilt in “The Other” Manhattan. This element of small-town Kansas may not be flashy, but it is a program (hell, nearly an entire institution) that famed head coach Bill Snyder built. The field is named after him, for goodness’ sake.
For all the good narrative it holds, the sub-.500 home team Wildcats should be in tough against a Mountaineers team that can score, thanks primarily to its dynamic rushing attack.
West Virginia also brings a much feistier defense to the party than does this current KSU outfit. A home win to close out the season and get to .500 on the campaign sounds nice, but it’s not likely for Kansas State.
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West Virginia
The Mountaineers have had some strong performances this year.
Put simply, WVU has beat the teams it should have, and lost to ones it should have. West Virginia is no match for Big 12 heavyweights like Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma, but they still have a puncher’s chance versus the conference’s other teams.
Wins against Texas, Texas Tech and a 45-6 stomping of Maryland were compelling.
West Virginia is at its best when the offense is toting the rock early and often. Between junior RB Wendell Smallwood, QB Skyler Howard and bowling-ball junior Rushel Shell, the Mountaineers have 494 carries. Smallwood leads the way with 1,306 yards and eight TDs.
Howard presents an effective dual approach, as he also has 2,332 pass yards on the year, with 20 TDs. Wide receiver Shelton Gibson has eight receiving TDs on just 32 grabs.
The part that puts a measuring stick between WVU and KSU this weekend is the defense. While West Virginia isn’t a crack unit, Kansas State surrenders over 50 yards more per game, having an especially weak secondary (over 283 yards yielded per game).
Throwing screen passes to Smallwood and Shell could be effective to stretch out the home team’s defense.
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Kansas State
The Wildcats have limped to a 2-6 Big 12 record this season mainly because they’ve had difficulty scoring points, and when they haven’t, they’ve haemorrhaged them on the other side of the ball.
A 52-45 loss against TCU and a 55-0 shutout at the hands of Oklahoma in consecutive weeks is all the evidence you need. Even against a weak program like Iowa State, the Wildcats had to hold on for a 38-35 squeaker victory.
Along that vein, a 39-33 loss to Conference-USA competitor Louisiana Tech is rather embarrassing.
Kansas State was in far better shape in previous years, with Tyler Lockett, Collin Klein and other effective junior college transfers, but it looks like the bill has come due for that JUCO success.
When KSU does put up points, it comes courtesy of dual-threat QB Joe Hubener, though his prowess scrambling is far superior to his passing. Junior RB Charles Jones supplements the running game (612 yards, five TDs).
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NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Mountaineers are 5-6-0 ATS in their last 11 games.
- Mountaineers are 5-3-0 ATS when favorited.
- Mountaineers are 1-3-0 ATS away from Morgantown.
- Wildcats are 5-6-0 ATS in their last 11 games.
- Wildcats are 3-3-0 ATS when registered as the underdog.
- Wildcats are 2-4 ATS at home.
Free Week 14 NCAA Football Prediction
Like several other times this season, I expect Kansas State’s defense to be exposed. When you’re giving up over 30 points per game – even in the video game-esque Big 12 – it’s far from a badge of honor.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: West Virginia ATS
West Virginia can augment a strong running game with some elements of a pass attack, and that is enough to be dangerous for an opposing unit short on talent.
Expect visiting QB Howard to dictate the tempo and be able to impose his will on the Wildcats.
Week 14 Free Score Prediction: West Virginia 33, Kansas State 17
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