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Behind Enemy Lines: Texas Tech

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Behind Enemy Lines: Texas Tech


In an effort to bring you in-depth insight on the opposing teams that West Virginia plays, WVSports.com goes Behind Enemy Lines for an in-depth look at the Big 12 conference match-up with Texas Tech.

What can you expect from the Red Raiders? Well we contacted an authority on the subject in RedRaiderSports.com writer Justin Apodaca.

1. What’s the pulse on this Texas Tech team at 7-4? Has this been about what was expected?

This Texas Tech team had the air come out of the bubble on two occasions, and the coaching staff is pretty frustrated by these now with the jumbled mess atop the conference, but first the loss in Fort Worth against TCU where Tech had a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter and saw it slip away.

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The second was the loss earlier this month against Colorado where Tech was in it despite the offensive line having tons of issues run blocking but ultimately fell short at home in front of a sold-out crowd. Tech gets one of those, we’re talking about a completely different season. Tech has a chance to win eight regular season games for the first time since 2009 on Saturday, meaning progress under McGuire, but it’s not been fast enough for some.

2. What’s the situation at quarterback with Behren Morton and how has he played this season? Strengths/weaknesses?

Morton has been a rollercoaster this season. While being very productive when you look at the box score, Morton’s numbers are a touch deceiving, but he is coming off an excellent showing against Oklahoma State.

Morton can get flustered under pressure, understandably so with his injury history and a lack of trust in the O-line, and it’s bit Tech this season. It bit Tech last weekend in Stillwater. Just a bit up and down at times and we will see how he handles a different defensive look than Tech has seen this season from WVU.

3. What type of offense will the Red Raiders use and who are the playmakers to watch? Still playing with a lot of tempo?

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Tech’s offense is very balanced on the whole. OC Zach Kittley has been able to engineer quick starts lately but hasn’t been able to sustain it, leading to Tech’s tendency to not put teams away. The tempo is game-dependent, and Tech used it the most all year against OSU en route to seven offensive touchdowns, mostly leaning on tempo to pass concepts. The playmakers have a couple of familiar faces, but Tech has overhauled the receiver room, and for very good measure.

RB Tahj Brooks is still the bell-cow back, he is now Tech’s all-time leading rusher, but the offense has been opened up because of slot receiver Washington State transfer Josh Kelly, who has 873 yards on 80 receptions this year. Florida transfer Caleb Douglas is also a major factor as a deep ball threat, posting 715 yards on 52 receptions this year. Tech also utilizes its tight ends a ton, a trio of guys who play is led by 6-foot-9 Mason Tharp and complimented by Arizona State transfer Jalin Conyers and Elon transfer Johncarlos Miller II.

4. Same on defense?

Defensively, it’s been a very, very tough year for Tech. DC Tim DeRuyter’s unit has taken a step back and was a major reason for those setbacks. This is one of the youngest units in the nation with a true sophomore starting at free safety and nickel (or STAR). Tech’s linebackers are the best unit on the team but still have had their issues in coverage this season.

That group is led by Jacob Rodriguez who is the team leader in tackles (112), TFLs (8.5), and sacks (4). That sack number should be telling, Tech has not been able to impact the passer all year, stemming from a youthful room that lost it’s two best to knee injuries in the pre-season, but it’s not much of an excuse and it’s been abysmal.

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5. Any injuries of note? Keys to this game and how do you see it playing out?

Tech is a bit banged up on the interior defensive line coming out of Stillwater. Look for De’Braylon Caroll (52) and Quincy Ledet Jr. (5), Tech’s two eldest defensive tackles, in pre-game. Both are listed as questionable for the contest and are dealing with ankle issues. My biggest key for Tech will be handling the WVU run game.

I have enjoyed watching the WVU tape this year with all of the motions and misdirection they use in the run game with two very contrasting backs in Donaldson and White. Eye discipline and angles have been a struggle for this Tech defense, so I really see this one being relatively higher scoring than most would anticipate, but I’ll lean to the Red Raiders here.



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BYU Cougars at West Virginia Mountaineers odds, picks and predictions

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BYU Cougars at West Virginia Mountaineers odds, picks and predictions


The No. 23 BYU Cougars (20-8, 8-7 Big 12) visit the West Virginia Mountaineers (16-12, 7-8) Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. ET (FOX) tip from WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the BYU vs. West Virginia odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

BYU has dropped 2 of its last 3 games after falling 97-84 against UCF on Tuesday, failing to cover as a 13.5-point home favorite with the Over (162.5) hitting. F AJ Dybantsa led all scorers with 29 points and G Robert Wright III added 20 as only 3 Cougars players scored in double figures in the upset loss.

West Virginia has dropped 3 games in a row after falling 91-84 in overtime against Oklahoma State on Tuesday, failing to cover as a 1.5-point road underdog with the Over (143.5) hitting. G Honor Huff scored a game-high 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting from 3, while the Mountaineers overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to force OT before running out of gas.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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BYU at West Virginia odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 10:20 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): BYU -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | West Virginia +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Against the spread (ATS): BYU -1.5 (-115) | West Virginia +1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

BYU at West Virginia picks and predictions

Prediction

BYU 81, West Virginia 74

PASS.

There is better value on the Cougars to cover the spread.

BET BYU -1.5 (-115).

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A win all but guarantees a cover for the Cougars in this matchup with such a slim spread. They have covered in 2 of their last 3 and 3 of their last 5, including back-to-back road games.

Neither side has played particularly well recently, with both teams being 4-6 straight up (SU) and 3-7 ATS over their last 10 games. This matchup will give Dybantsa, the nation’s leading scorer (25.1 points per game) who earned USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors last week, an opportunity to take over the game.

BET OVER 142.5 (-110).

The Mountaineers have scored at least 74 points in 2 of their last 4 games while allowing 67 or more in 3 of their last 5.

The Cougars have hit the Over in 7 of their last 10 games. They have scored 79 or more points in 4 of their last 5, including 90 or more twice in that span. They have scored 82 or more points in 7 of their last 10 and have allowed at least 86 in 6 of their last 9.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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As Mountaineers try to move forward from recent struggles, freshman sensation Dybantsa awaits – WV MetroNews

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As Mountaineers try to move forward from recent struggles, freshman sensation Dybantsa awaits – WV MetroNews


MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia is mired in a three-game losing streak for the first time under head coach Ross Hodge.

To make the slump a thing of the past, the Mountaineers have to find a way to be successful Saturday against No. 19 BYU when the teams battle at 5:30 p.m. Saturday inside Hope Coliseum for a matchup airing on FOX.

That means contending with freshman sensation AJ Dybantsa, the leading scorer in the Big 12 Conference at 25.1 points and one the top pro prospects in all of college basketball in recent memory.

“He’s definitely worthy of all the praise and attention that he’s gotten,” Hodge said. “What impresses you as much as his talent, which is very impressive, is his commitment to his teammates and how he celebrates those guys and his leadership for a young player on top of what he can do individually.”

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At 6-foot-9, Dybantsa has a surplus of size for a primary ball-handler. It’s part of what makes his skill set so unique. He shoots north of 53 percent from the field, averages almost seven rebounds and four assists and shoots more than eight free throws per game thanks in large part to an ability to consistently draw contact.

Feb 21, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) drives while being defended by Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) during the first half at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

“He’s a problem in every facet of the game,” Hodge said. “He certainly can distort you in ways that a lot of people can’t because of his size, versatility and fluidity. Typically, in your transition defense, your guards are going to be the ones stopping the ball and he can create an automatic mismatch from the jump because he has the ball in his hands so much.”

The Cougars are relying on Dybantsa even more at present after Richie Saunders suffered a significant season-ending injury. Saunders averaged 18 points and has missed three straight games, and in essence four, as the injury occurred in the first minute of what amounted to an overtime victory against Colorado. Saunders’ 64 three-pointers remain a team high, but Dybantsa has the luxury of another consistent scorer in guard Robert Wright III, who averages 18.1 points and has 50 triples.

BYU averages 84.6 points, good for second among Big 12 teams.

“Do you play [Dybantsa] individually and live with if he gets 35 or 40, or try to shrink gaps and live with are these other guys going to make shots? That is the challenge,” Hodge said. “He’s shown the ability that he can beat you both ways.”

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The Cougars (20-8, 8-7) have dropped two of their last three and six of nine since a 17-2 start. Most recently, Central Florida had its way offensively and cruised to a road win over the Cougars, 97-84, on Tuesday.

WVU (16-12, 7-8) has lost three straight by a total of 18 points, most recently suffering a 91-84 overtime setback at Oklahoma State on Tuesday.

The Mountaineers struggled to get stops for much of the contest, with Hodge referring to the first half of that game as his team’s worst defensive half of the season.

Still, much like the game before at TCU, the win was there for the taking late and the Mountaineers were unable to close strong.

West Virginia continues to put itself in position where it’s required to overcome significant second-half deficits, and while the Mountaineers have often caught up or led late, they’ve been unable to pull through recently.

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WVU has played eight straight games decided by 10 or fewer points and recorded a 3-5 record over that time.

“The initial aftermath of any loss you’re going to be disappointed, but we’re mature enough and from a leadership standpoint,” Hodge said. “It’s hard not to just fall into the trap of you win and you’re great, you lose and you’re terrible. We’ve been fortunate enough to win some one-possession games that easily could’ve went the other way and the last three games we were in easily could’ve went our way, but they didn’t. 

“But you’re not looking at an insurmountable mountain to climb. A block out here, a free throw there, a rebound here, a made shot here, a missed shot here, that’s the difference in what you’re dealing with. Do you have the emotional intelligence and maturity to stay the course and stay together, which this group does better than anybody I’ve been around, and still find a level of excitement in what you’re doing every day. That’s where if you love basketball and love each other and love challenges, then you’re going to be in the right place. There’s going to be a certain level of excitement even in the midst of disappointing times.”



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West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Daily 3, Daily 4 on Feb. 26, 2026

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The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on Feb. 26.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

1-1-7

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Daily 4 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

3-8-8-2

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from Feb. 26 drawing

02-03-09-11-13-19

Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
  • Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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