Let's slow down with Geno Smith and this ridiculous West Virginia offense. This is West Virginia's first road game in the Big 12 and it comes at the most difficult place to play in Texas. Okay so watching last week's game and West Virginia's offensive line did a great job blocking, but Baylor was just incapable of getting a rush ranked 117th in sack % as was Marshall in their first game ranked 116th.
In West Virginia's only game against a team with a defense in Maryland ranked 31st in sack % they struggled and only won 31-21. Well Texas is better and they'll be at home and they actually have an offense that can go toe to toe. Texas is also fresh off a game with Oklahoma State which provided them with a nice tune up. Texas defense is 28th in third down defense allowing 33.3% conversions and 26% at home. While West Virginia is 116th, and while their offense is 1st right now in converting third downs again they haven't faced a team like Texas. Texas offense meanwhile can match them ranked 4th in third down offense. I don't see West Virginia continuing to have that type of success on the road.
SMU off to a 1-3 start and it's not a huge surprise this team did lose on the road to Baylor and against TCU and Texas A&M. On paper Garret Gilbert looks awful, but it's been the source of a ton of drops this year by his receivers. But the key in this game will be SMU finally turning to the running game and Zach Line. SMU has faced some good run defenses in Texas AM and TCU both in the top 31 in the nation and now they face UTEP which is 108th in the nation and is allowing 5.6 ypc. RB Zach Line should have a huge game and I wouldn't be surprised if that boosts the entire offense and the passing game that has under achieved. UTEP's offense has been terrible 114th on third down conversions and their QB has only completed 51.3% for a 116 QB rating and won't be able to take advantage of a Mustangs depleted secondary.
