Behind enemy lines with West Virginia

HOUSTON (COUGARS DEN) — Today, October 12, 2023, at 6 p.m. the Houston Cougars will face the West Virginia Mountaineers.

A DIVE INTO THE ENEMY WITH REPORTER KEENAN CUMMINGS :

West Virginia will rely on their ground game in this which makes the offensive line and running back CJ Donaldson key pieces to the attack. Donaldson is a converted tight end who is a tough runner and has more speed than you’d expect at his size.

The line is anchored with plenty of experience with center Zach Frazier one of the best in the country at his position while tackles Wyatt Milum and Doug Nester also are impressive and all three are native West Virginians. Quarterback Garrett Greene is now healthy after an ankle injury cost him two games which should allow them to open up the offense more in the passing game.

On defense, the Mountaineers have a deep front and will rotate up to eight different players. Sean Martin is the leader while at the linebacker level, Lee Kpogba is the heart of the unit. It’s always going to be a storyline no matter how much the two coaches try to downplay it.

Dana spent eight years in Morgantown and helped transition the football program into the Big 12. I think enough time has passed that there isn’t going to be any ill will towards Holgorsen who had a lot of success in Morgantown but it is definitely a game fans want to win. West Virginia needs to continue to play strong defense and limit what Houston can do throwing the football.

That is where the defense has been most vulnerable although they’ve more than held their own of late. On offense, West Virginia needs to be themselves and run the football without any major miscues or mistakes.

This team simply hasn’t beaten themselves and will need to continue that on the road while showing the ability to hit the big ones when they present themselves. I think this game will be close, but have the Mountaineers doing just enough to keep their surprise year rolling onto next week.

BOTTOM LINE:

This should be a decent game for both teams. Houston is 30th in third-down offense (46.1%), while WVU ranks 10th in third-down defense (27.8%). The Cougars ranks 65th in passing efficiency and the Mountaineers are 27th in passing efficiency on defense. Houston has four of WVU's former players.

WHERE YOU CAN WATCH THE MATCHUP:

TDECU Stadium - Houston, Tx

Network- FS1