:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57741149/usa_today_10436745.0.jpg)
The Oklahoma Sooners, to the surprise of no one, kept their undefeated Big 12 streak against West Virginia alive with a 59-31 win over the Mountaineers in Norman.
If you would have told me this past week that West Virginia’s offense - with Chris Chugunov at quarterback behind an offensive line that was missing its best player - would score 31 points, I would have laughed in your face. But that’s exactly what happened today. Of course, it wasn’t enough to upset the favorite to win the Big 12 championship - for, like, the 50th time.
I rocked the boat a little on Facebook and Twitter earlier with this tweet, but I think it’s a fair argument.
say what you want, but this team has not quit. they could’ve packed it in, but are still playing with some fire.
— The World Destroying Musket (@SmokingMusket) November 25, 2017
if you thought we were going to win this game, you were lying to yourself. what we are getting is the best we could’ve expected.
let’s get that 8th win in the bowl
I should’ve clarified that I was talking about the Mountaineer offense, but it is what it is.
Dana Holgorsen and Jake Spavital spent the week trying to figure out what they could do with what they had to work with and, all things considered, came out with a solid gameplan. Chris Chugunov finished the game 10-of-20 passing for 137 yards which isn’t outstanding numbers on paper, but he didn’t turn the ball over. Kennedy McKoy carried the ball 25 times, most of which came out of the wildcat formation, and gained 137 yards on the ground for three touchdowns. Justin Crawford added another 97 on the ground on 17 carries.
On the other side of the ball, West Virginia’s defense was nearly non-existent from the first play of the game. Kyler Murray carried the ball 66 yards on a keeper, and it was apparent right then that we were in trouble defensively. Rodney Anderson completely exposed West Virginia’s run defense, scoring four touchdowns on 13 carries. Baker Mayfield - who came in after the two-play scoring drive to start the game - picked the Mountaineer defense apart, throwing for three touchdowns.
The Mountaineers will return to Morgantown, where they’ll await their bowl fate. The Big 12 has eight bowl eligible teams but only seven bowl tie-ins, so someone is going to end up in a less than stellar bowl this time next month.