TCU vs. West Virginia Prediction, Game Preview

TCU (7-0) got a week off, and now it’s time to kick it all into high gear. The Horned Frogs have been solid on the way to an unbeaten star, but the defense has been shaky and there have been a few too many close calls. Now it faces a desperate West Virginia (3-3) team on a three-game losing streak. Check out the TCU vs. West Virginia prediction and game preview.

TCU vs. West Virginia Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Thursday, October 29
Game Time 7:30pm
Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Network: FOX Sports 1

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Why You Need To Care

West Virginia is supposed to be better than this. It’s been fine at times, but the three-game losing streak ended any hopes at being the breakthrough team of the 2015 season. On the plus side, losing at Oklahoma and Baylor and at home in overtime against an unbeaten Oklahoma State is nothing to be ashamed of. If it can just get through this and somehow pull off a win, the world opens up with three of the next four games at home including winnable dates against Texas Tech and Texas.

TCU’s offense hasn’t had any problems, but the D has been a big suspect after the injury problems, among other issues, but it’s right where it needs to be. With Trevone Boykin playing like a Heisman candidate, the nation’s second-best attack has been unstoppable when it has to be. There’s still a home game against Kansas to enjoy, but after this comes the only part of the season that matters with road games at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma to go along with the regular-season finale against Baylor. However, the Horned Frogs have to be ready to deal with a team looking to make a huge statement in the national spotlight.

Why West Virginia Will Win

It’s time to turn the passing game lose. This might not be the high-powered Mountaineer attack of a few years ago, but the pieces are there. This is when it’s time to come up with something special. The Horned Frog secondary gives up yards in chunks against the better passing games, partly because teams are trying to keep up, and partly because the secondary is just okay allowing more than 300 yards to Iowa State, SMU and Texas Tech in the last five games. Skyler Howard struggled a bit against Baylor a few weeks ago, but he made several big plays with four touchdown passes to at least make the game a little more respectable.

Why TCU Will Win

This is still a ball-hawking WVU secondary, but it’s not the same without Karl Joseph. Baylor and Oklahoma fired away at will even though the pressure was there at times. OU’s Baker Mayfield only completed 14 passes, but there were lots and lots of huge plays as Dede Westbrook and the Sooner receivers roamed free. Boykin should be able to spread the ball around as much as he wants to against the shaky Mountaineer corners that aren’t doing enough. Expect TCU to average more than ten yards per pass.

Player Who Matters

Trevone Boykin picked a bad time to come up with his worst game of the year. He was rolling right along, coming off a 433-yard, seven touchdown performance in the 82-27 win over Texas Tech, and then he couldn’t seem to find any sort of a groove against West Virginia, hitting just 12-of-30 passes for 166 yards and a score. He ran for a touchdown and managed to pull off the 31-30 win, but it was a rocky performance. Coming off a brilliant 27-of-32 day for 436 yards and four scores against Iowa State, once again he meets the Mountaineers on a roll. If it’s Heisman time, this is the chance with the FS1 audience and the spotlight on.

What’s Going To Happen?

West Virginia will hang punch for punch for three quarters, and then Boykin will by Boykin with one big run that changes everything. It’s not going to be easy, but the Horned Frogs will get out alive setting up a massive showdown at Oklahoma State.