The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

(AP PHOTO)

WVU PASS OFFENSE vs. TCU PASS DEFENSE

West Virginia junior quarterback Jarret Doege came back down to earth a bit last week after a great game the week before at K-State. Still, WVU’s offense looks much better with him at QB. TCU has one of the best secondaries in the Big 12, with sophomore safety Trevon Moehrig leading the team with four interceptions. As a team, the Horned Frogs have 13 interceptions and have broken up 43 passes this season.

EDGE: TCU

TCU PASS OFFENSE vs. WVU PASS DEFENSE

Horned Frog freshman Max Duggan has settled in as the starter at quarterback for TCU, but the offense has still struggled at times to move the ball through the air. TCU ranks ninth out of 10 teams in the Big 12 in passing offense. West Virginia’s defense is in the middle of the Big 12 pak when it comes to defending the pass, but the Mountaineers played a solid game against high-powered Oklahoma State last week with senior cornerback Hakeem Bailey standing out.

EDGE: WVU

WVU RUN OFFENSE vs. TCU PASS DEFENSE

The Mountaineers still ahve the worst rushing offense in the Big 12, and it’s not even close. Sophomore Leddie Brown has been better in recent weeks, but WVU still averages just 72.1 rushing yards per game. TCU, meanwhile, allows 141.9 rushing yards per game and has stood tough against some of the best the conference has to offer. TCU junior linebacker Garret Wallow leads the Horned Frogs with 15 tackles for a loss and is tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks.

EDGE: TCU

TCU RUN OFFENSE vs. WVU RUN DEFENSE

Duggan has been the Horned Frogs’ biggest threat on the ground in recent games, but TCU likes to spread its carries around among a few players. Senior Sewo Olonilua has been TCU’s biggest threat to score on the ground with a team-high seven rushing touchdowns this season. WVU held OSU’s Chuba Hubbard, the nation’s leading rusher, well below his average last week and will be looking to build on that performance. Junior lineman Jeffrey Pooler had his best game last week with six tackles and a sack.

EDGE: TCU

SPECIAL TEAMS

When the Horned Frogs and Mountaineers meet Friday in Fort Worth, it will be a battle of Australian punters. WVU’s Josh Growden is wrapping up his one-season stop in Morgantown having been a bright spots for the Mountaineer special teams as a graduate transfer from Louisiana State. TCU freshman Jordy Sandy has turned into a weapon for the Horned Frogs with a league-leading 24 punts downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

EDGE: TCU

INTANGIBLES

TCU has a lot to play for Friday against West Virginia. The Horned Frogs are sitting on five wins and need one more to become bowl eligible, and should have a definite advantage with the home crowd and veteran coach Gary Patterson in their corner. First-year West Virginia coach Neal Brown’s squad can’t make a bowl, but can play spoiler for TCU, send its seniors out with a win and get a head start looking ahead to 2020.

EDGE: TCU

QUIP — Mountaineers can’t get over the hump but go down swinging in season-finale.

PICK — TCU 24, WVU 20