2012 College Football Picks: West Virginia @ Texas Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 10/6/2012

2012 College Football Picks: West Virginia @ Texas Vegas Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 10/6/2012: A pair of undefeated offensive juggernauts will battle in a clash of Big 12 frontrunners this Saturday when the eighth-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers (4-0) travel to Austin to face the 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns (4-0). For West Virginia, the game is chance to continue to make a big splash in their first year in the Big 12 and a chance for quarterback Geno Smith to make a Heisman push. For the Longhorns, the game is a chance to prove that the program that has struggled since reaching the BCS title game three years ago is back as a national power. Not to mention that the winner will be in control of its own destiny as far the conference championship goes. Playing at home, Texas is a 6 ½-point favorite.

The Big 12 has already produced some incredible offensive fireworks in 2012, and Saturday’s meeting between the Mountaineers and the Longhorns could be the latest addition. Both teams rank in the top 10 in the country in scoring, and West Virginia actually ranks third in the country at 53.0 points per game. The Mountaineers have done most of their damage through the air, averaging a country-leading 441.5 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Longhorns have been a bit more balanced, ranking in the top 40 in passing yards and the top 20 in rushing yards. The scoreboard operator should be busy in this one.

West Virginia Wins If:

Fresh off a 70-63 win against Baylor last weekend, West Virginia has already shown that they can outscore any team in the country. If the Mountaineers score early and often and turn this game into a fast-paced shootout, Texas isn’t going to be able to keep pace. Smith has 20 touchdowns and zero interceptions this year, and he has two potential All-Americans to throw to in receivers Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. Granted, the Mountaineers’ defense has plenty of holes that Texas will be able to exploit, but the Longhorns’ can’t match the offensive firepower of Smith and company. As long as the offensive line keeps Smith upright, West Virginia is going to pile up points, cover up its defensive issues and win the game.

Texas Wins If:

While Ash has been enjoying an incredible start to the season, Texas doesn’t want to get into a shootout with the Mountaineers. The Longhorns have an excellent running game led by the two-headed monster of Joe Bergeron and Malcolm Brown, and they currently rank in the top 20 nationally in terms of rushing yards per game. They also have plenty of playmakers on defense, including hard-hitting safety Kenny Vaccaro and defensive ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor. If Texas uses its power running game to take the air out of West Virginia’s offense and control the tempo, the Longhorns will be in good shape. If the Texas defense is able to put pressure on Smith and keep the score reasonable, the Longhorns have enough offensive firepower to earn a big win.

Bottom Line:

The game is going to come down to whether or not Texas’ defense can make enough plays and disrupt the timing of Smith and his receivers. While the unit does have several NFL-caliber players, it did just surrender 36 points to an Oklahoma State offense that was forced to start a backup quarterback. Now, the same unit has to turn around and try to contain the best passing attack in the country led by arguably the best player in the country in Smith. West Virginia’s own deficiencies on defense will allow the Longhorns to trade blows throughout the game, but in the end, the Mountaineers’ offense will win out.

Prediction: West Virginia Mountaineers (+6 ½) Cover the Spread 

West Virginia @ Texas Vegas Odds and Total
Line: Texas -6.5
Total: Over/Under 73
Television: 7 PM EST on FOX

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