After a much-needed break in the action, the West Virginia Mountaineers will kick off the second half of their season next Saturday, on the road, against the UCF Knights. As one would expect, it’s another game where the Mountaineers will assume the underdog role.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, West Virginia is a 7.5-point underdog, and the over/under is 51.5.
Oct 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost talks with his team on the sidelines in the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images / Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
I don’t question UCF being favored, even if I have a strong feeling about West Virginia’s chances to walk out of the Bounce House with a win. They haven’t shown anything to this point to warrant being a road favorite, even when coming off a bye and facing another team that is winless in league play.
All that said, 7.5? Really? I mean, just the situation alone, you would think, would call for a much tighter number. WVU is rested and potentially healed up to some degree, while also having over a week to try and iron out some things on the offensive side of the football. UCF just played a physical game at Cincinnati and is averaging a measly 17 points in conference play.
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In his career, WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez is 21-7 straight up when coming off a bye. I don’t have his against the spread number, but it doesn’t really matter because WVU is in the underdog role. He’s also won seven straight games in this situation, which includes his time at Jacksonville State and his final year as the head man at Arizona.
West Virginia University Defensive coordinator Zac Alley / Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI
Giving up 38 to BYU probably doesn’t seem like progress if you just glanced at the box score, but there were a lot of things to like in that performance, particularly the tackling. The Mountaineers missed just six tackles, making it their cleanest game of the year in that aspect. Khalil Wilkins’ interception was nearly returned for six, so one of those scores put the unit in a tough spot. The explosive plays can’t happen, though. WVU gave up six 20+ yard passes, which was the one sore spot from that game.
Still, for two offenses that haven’t found much success, 51.5 might be a tad high.
Odds Disclaimer
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2, 1-1 Big Ten)
Cleveland; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Buckeyes -4.5; over/under is 143.5
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BOTTOM LINE: Ohio State takes on West Virginia at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Buckeyes have a 6-1 record against non-conference oppponents. Ohio State ranks ninth in the Big Ten with 16.4 assists per game led by Bruce Thornton averaging 4.2.
The Mountaineers are 8-3 in non-conference play. West Virginia is 3-3 against opponents with a winning record.
Ohio State averages 87.4 points, 29.0 more per game than the 58.4 West Virginia gives up. West Virginia has shot at a 45.4% clip from the field this season, 3.4 percentage points greater than the 42.0% shooting opponents of Ohio State have averaged.
TOP PERFORMERS: Thornton is shooting 62.3% and averaging 21.7 points for the Buckeyes. John Mobley Jr. is averaging 13.7 points.
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Honor Huff is shooting 41.5% and averaging 17.3 points for the Mountaineers. Brenen Lorient is averaging 10.2 points over the last 10 games.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Join the Main Street Morgantown family-friendly holiday shopping event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 13) in Downtown Morgantown.
The event will feature a district-wide scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes and the opportunity to explore holiday pop-up markets by Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op and Apothecary Ale House.
While exploring downtown shops, participants who spot DASH the Dog can collect stamps. Each stamp brings participants closer to the chance of winning prizes from downtown merchants such as gift cards and goods. To qualify for prizes, completed Downtown Dash Guides with five or more stamps must be turned into Hoot and Howl, The Co-Op, Apothecary Ale House or at Breezeline’s play-to-win tent on Courthouse Square.
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As a break from shopping, parents and their little ones can visit Kids Craft, Cookies & Cocoa Central at the WARD Building to enjoy a complimentary hot cocoa and cookie bar and children’s crafts provided by Hotel Morgan sponsored by Main Street Morgantown and Breezeline.
Visitors can also visit the beautiful 25-foot-tall holiday tree on display at Courthouse Square, a collaboration between the City of Morgantown, Monongalia County and Main Street Morgantown.
Sponsored by Breezeline, the Downtown Dash celebrates the holiday season, promotes walking and shopping throughout the downtown district, and supports local businesses by driving foot traffic directly to storefronts.
