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Texas at West Virginia. (Will Gallagher/IT)[/caption]
This week's picks are coming from DKR in Austin before Texas takes on No. 25 West Virginia. We look at UT's next 100-yard rusher, Swoopes or Trickett, and our famous Picks of the Week. All in the Pressbox.
1.) Texas vs West Virginia score:
Eric Nahlin: West Virginia 27, Texas 24. Both teams will focus on running the ball. WVU will be patient and precise, Texas will look to run the against undermanned fronts. The Mountaineers have more playmakers in an on-schedule offense, and get by Texas late.
J
ustin Wells: Texas 27, West Virginia 24. Texas can run the ball on this team. If UT plays smart, they take this game.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Texas 28, West Virginia 24. WVU hasn't faced a defense like Texas all year.
Ian Boyd: West Virginia 34, Texas 24
Mike Blackwell: West Virginia 28, Texas 17
Bill Frisbie: Texas 30, WVU 27. If Charlie Strong doesn't know which Texas team is going to show up, how can we? I believe Shawn Watson is correct when he said this team will go as Tyrone Swoopes goes, and that's scarier than I anything I saw on Halloween. The ray of hope is that Swoopes has had just one bad outing in the past four ball games. What's more, Daje Johnson and Johnathan Gray finally look healthy. West Virginia boasts a prolific offense, but Texas' ground-and-pound attack unveiled at Texas Tech should wear down what is a weak D-line. A winning season and a bowl game is at stake. I grew up on a ranch, and this is what my grandfather called "nut-cuttin' time." It's time Texas grew a pair.
Michael Pearle: West Virgina 31, Texas 20. So far this season, Texas has shown it is good enough to beat the bad teams on the schedule, and not quite up to the task of beating the good ones. The Mountaineers are a pretty decent, battle-tested program that has already faced Bama, Baylor, OU, and TCU. I don’t see them being intimidated facing the Horns in Austin.
2.) Will Texas get another 100-yard rushing performance on Saturday, if so who?
Eric Nahlin: No, but will have 200 total rushing yards, including Swoopes.
Justin Wells: No, but Brown, Gray, and Daje (sounds like a law firm) will combine for 200.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Yes, MB2L.
Ian Boyd: No, split carries hold them back. Gray finishes as leading rusher for Texas on the day.
Mike Blackwell: Yes, Malcolm Brown.
Bill Frisbie: Shawn Watson remembered last Saturday that Malcolm Brown still has eligibility in the second half. Brown gets another 100-yard day.
Michael Pearle: No, I’m afraid we’ll see another frustrating ground game this week.
3.) Who covers WVU WR Kevin White and how does UT stop him?
Eric Nahlin: Duke Thomas draws the assignment and holds White to a medium-sized game. Lots of underneath, nothing big.
Justin Wells: White will hate Duke Thomas after tomorrow.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Duke Thomas follows White all over the field.
Ian Boyd: Texas primarily trusts Mykkele Thompson to stay on top of White due to his length but occasionally plays a safety over the top.
Mike Blackwell: Duke Thomas AND Jason Hall.
Bill Frisbie: Quandre Diggs covers White. But you stop White by pressuring QB Clint Trickett, getting him out of rhythm, and convincing him that he is Patrick Mahomes, The Sequel.
Michael Pearle: You figure it would be Duke Thomas, but I was really encouraged by the play of Bryson Echols against Tech. The kid was flying around, making plays, and arrived in a hurry. Hope to see a good bit more of him Saturday.
4.) Texas will need turnovers to win. How many from this defense?
Eric Nahlin: Three. Differential will be the key.
Justin Wells: UT needs at least three. A defensive TD would do wonders for this team.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Two.
Ian Boyd: Two turnovers when Trickett is tricked or underestimates Hicks' underneath coverage.
Mike Blackwell: Three
Bill Frisbie: Turnovers has hurt WVU this season. I'm look for two from the Texas D.
Michael Pearle: Two - one INT and one fumble.
5.) Upset of the Week:
Eric Nahlin: Kentucky over Georgia
Justin Wells: K-State over TCU
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Baylor over OU
Ian Boyd: Kansas State takes away Boykin's favorite throws and pulls the upset in Ft. Worth.
Mike Blackwell: Washington over UCLA
Bill Frisbie: I'll take LSU. At home. At night. Against Alabama.
Michael Pearle: Washington over UCLA
