Baylor vs West Virginia Picks and Prediction – 11/16/2024

The Baylor Bears (5-4) face the West Virginia Mountaineers (5-4) in a Big 12 matchup. Baylor, fresh off a close 37-34 win over TCU, aims to carry that momentum forward, while West Virginia seeks another win after a 31-24 victory over Cincinnati. Both teams are evenly matched, making this a pivotal game for conference positioning. Dominate the college scene with our College Football picks.

Baylor’s offense has relied on quarterback Sawyer Robertson, who averages 222.9 passing yards per game with 17 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. The Bears' ground game has been effective with Bryson Washington, who averages 6.0 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns. Baylor ranks 64th nationally in rushing yards per game (185) and 91st in passing (234.3), generating 419.3 total yards on average. However, they’re ranked 255th in scoring and will need to be more efficient to break through a West Virginia defense that has held up in recent games.

Defensively, Baylor has allowed 241 points this season, ranking 179th nationally. The defense has shown gaps in both rush and pass coverage, and will need a strong showing to contain West Virginia’s balanced attack led by Garrett Greene. Greene has averaged 193.1 passing yards but has also thrown eight interceptions this season. Baylor’s defensive line must pressure Greene and contain his playmaking to keep this game in control.

West Virginia’s offense focuses on the run, ranking 59th nationally with 189.9 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Garrett Greene and running back Jahiem White, who averages 5.7 yards per carry, are crucial to the ground-heavy approach. While the Mountaineers’ total offensive yardage is slightly lower than Baylor’s, the ball control style could be challenging for Baylor’s defense, especially if they establish the ground game early.

Defensively, West Virginia has allowed 251 points this season, ranked 198th nationally. While not among the top defenses, they’ve shown toughness, managing to contain opponents' scoring. They’ll need that to hold off Baylor’s high-yardage plays, with a focus on limiting Robertson’s passing and Washington’s rushing output to keep the game competitive.

With a balanced offense and recent momentum, Baylor has an edge. Robertson’s accuracy and Washington’s ground game will likely be the difference-makers against a West Virginia defense that has struggled with consistency. Final Score Prediction: Baylor Bears win 31-24.