This Weekend has Big Implications for WVU and the BIG XII

West Virginia took one giant step closer to earning a spot in the Big XII Championship game with its win over Iowa State on Saturday, but there’s a lot of work left to do.

The Mountaineers must win its last three games ( at Kansas State, Texas and at Oklahoma) AND have a little help from its counterparts to even be in the conversation, but there is a chance.

The first game on the docket is on the road at Manhattan, Kansas to take on the Kansas State Wildcats. West Virginia is 1-4 against the Wildcats since joining the Big XII, taking last year’s contest in Morgantown 17-16. Next week, the Mountaineers will host Texas for its final home game of the season. Ironically, Dana Holgorsen has amassed a 3-2 record against one of the conference’s elite program but has only defeated the Longhorns once in Morgantown. And to cap off conference play, West Virginia will travel to Norman, Oklahoma, seeking its first win over the Sooners as Big XII members.

Even if the Mountaineers come out of this three-game stretch blemish free, West Virginia will still need some outside help to make the Big XII Championship game.

Oklahoma States loss to Oklahoma last week moved the Mountaineers a little closer.  The game between Iowa State and Oklahoma State this weekend in Ames, Iowa is essentially an elimination game between the two programs. And for West Virginia, they need Iowa State to win this game to keep their conference title hopes alive.

The Oklahoma and TCU match-up has implications for the Mountaineers as well.  West Virginia needs TCU to lose 2 games, just in case Oklahoma State does win out.

Current Big XII standings 1-5:

1. Oklahoma 5-1
2. TCU 5-1
3. Oklahoma State 4-2
4. West Virginia 4-2
5. Iowa State 4-2

Here’s the path West Virginia needs to head to the Big XII Championship game.:  If West Virginia and Iowa State win out, Oklahoma beats TCU this weekend then go on to lose to the Mountaineers while TCU wins its final two games, West Virginia would secure its spot in the title game.

1. West Virginia 6-2
2. Iowa State 6-2
3. Oklahoma 6-2
4. TCU 6-2

The Mountaineers would hold the tie-breaker over 2 out of the other top 3 teams, (Oklahoma, Iowa State) and Iowa State would have head-to-head wins over Oklahoma and TCU. Oklahoma would have a win over TCU and TCU would have a win over West Virginia.

Remaining schedules for Oklahoma State and TCU:

Oklahoma State – @Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas

TCU- @Oklahoma, @Texas Tech, Baylor

Best case scenario, West Virginia focuses on itself. If they lose even one of their remaining games, there’s no need for this conversation. But, if the Mountaineers win out and get a little help, West Virginia may find itself playing for a Big XII title.