Bye Week Does WVU Football No Favors in ESPN FPI

A week off may have helped WVU in the Big 12 standings, but it did no favors for the Mountaineers when it comes to the ESPN FPI (Football Power Index).

After jumping back closer to where they opened the season last week following a comeback win over Kansas, West Virginia has now dropped back to the wrong side of the top 50 at No. 51. WVU entered the bye week at No. 43.

As a confusing twist, Kansas, a team WVU beat and sits at 1-4 overall (0-2, Big 12), is ranked ahead of the Mountaineers at No. 47.

In addition to the FPI dip, oddsmakers expect Neal Brown’s team to lose for the first time in conference play in their next matchup. Oddsmakers are siding with the home team when WVU travels to Oklahoma State. Despite coming off their second straight conference loss on Saturday, Oklahoma State is favored over West Virginia.

WVU Considered Underdogs on Road Despite Oklahoma State’s Losing Streak

As the major sportsbooks open their initial lines on Sunday, FanDuel and DraftKings both feel the Cowboys are bound to finally win a Big 12 game and will beat the Mountaineers. DraftKings has the line at -5 in favor of OSU while FanDuel places it a bit closer at -3.5.

As West Virginia enjoyed the day off, their next opponent experienced another tough loss. Oklahoma State will now head into their matchup with WVU very vulnerable after losing to Kansas State.

The Cowboys fell to the Wildcats by the convincing score of 42-20, dropping their second straight conference game. Despite three overall wins on the season, Oklahoma State is now 0-2 in the Big 12 standings.

Kansas State running back DJ Giddens ran for 187 yards on 15 carries against the Cowboys, providing a blueprint for WVU.

Considering the depth of the conference, the Mountaineers will have an opportunity to bury the Cowboys next week, as an 0-3 Big 12 record will be extremely difficult to dig out of.

West Virginia entered their first of two bye weeks at 2-2 (1-0, Big 12) ofter a 32-28 win over Kansas. WVU had to rally from an 11-point deficit to beat the Jayhawks.

West Virginia and Oklahoma State will kickoff at 4 pm ET and 3 pm local time in Stillwater. The game will air nationally on ESPN2. OSU won the 2023 matchup in Morgantown thanks to big fourth quarter by the score of 48-34.

For a related story, WVU head coach Neal Brown explained why he can’t put Garrett Greene in a hurry-up offense all of the time.