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Win Probability for WVU at Ohio Shows Concern for Mountaineers
With oddsmakers unsure about what will happen when WVU battles Ohio, it only makes sense for the win probability to also be left up in the air. Days before kickoff, West Virginia is projected as only slightly likely to beat the Bobcats.
The ESPN FPI (Football Power Index) currently gives the Mountaineers a 53.6% chance of winning on the road in Athens, Ohio.
Able to overcome early struggles to win big in the season opener, the WVU football team knows they will have to be much better in Week 2. Oddsmakers even seem to be uneasy about West Virginia’s upcoming road trip.
Most major sportsbooks, most notably DraftKings and FanDuel, have the Mountaineers as a slight favorite to mover their record to 2-0. At the open of the new week, WVU sits as a 3.5-point favorite on most books, indicating a close game. DraftKings is one that has moved to just -3.
Unlike WVU, Ohio is coming off a loss in their season opener. The Bobcats scored 31 points before falling 34-31 at Rutgers.
It’s certainly possible a high-powered Ohio team at home with a sold out crowd in their favor could upset the Mountaineers.
Can West Virginia avoid disaster in what many are classifying as a “trap game” before Pitt visits Morgantown? Rich Rodriguez will quickly learn the mental fortitude of his team based on how they perform in a tough environment. He also knows they have to be more disciplined and play a cleaner game.
Rich Rodriguez Has No Time for ‘Trap Game’ Talk Ahead of WVU’s Trip to Ohio
Part of why some are predicting Ohio to beat WVU on Saturday is the magnitude of the game for the Bobcats.
Expecting the largest crowd in Ohio school history, OU head coach Brian Smith talked about facing the Mountaineers during his weekly press conference.
“I think some of the tempo stuff on offense is going to be challenging, so that’s a big thing for our defense. Offensively for us, they’re very multiple, they’re going to give you a lot of different looks. So, just being able to compartmentalize what all those things are whether it be coverages or fronts. There’s a lot they’re going to give you at the line of scrimmage,” offered Smith about WVU.
Kickoff for the West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0) at the Ohio Bobcats (0-1) from Athens, Ohio is set for 4 pm ET.
Find more coverage of the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.
For a related story, Ohio head coach Brian Smith offered his assessment of the matchup.
