The day for Big 12 play is finally here. In just a few hours, the Kansas Jayhawks will take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. This is a WVU squad that has been restructured from the top to the bottom. It started with the change of coach, as former Mountaineer legend Rich Rodriguez, and has seen the small matter of just 53 players enter the portal and join Rodriguez’s team. Since the start of the season, the results have been a mixed bag.
Things couldn’t have started any better for WVU as a 45-3 win over Robert Morris flexed West Virginia’s muscles.
However, Rodriguez was sent right back down to earth with a shocking 17-10 loss to Ohio. Yet things were pushed right back into the Mountaineers’ favor after an overtime win against Pitt in a dramatic Backyard Brawl, 31-24 overtime win.
Today, we have our weekly tradition of Through the Phog staff writers compiling their predictions for this anticipated clash.
Tyler Key: Kansas 34 - 20 West Virginia
The Jayhawks should be able to handle a mediocre WVU team, especially coming off of an extended break with extra time to prepare. Look for Kansas to get off to a quick 1st quarter and then lean on the run game.
Logan Rosengard: Kansas 37-18 West Virginia
The conference schedule is upon us and there’s no better time for a win than off the bye week following a loss to our rival. Back home in a packed Booth, the football Jayhawks will look to start things off with a huge conference W over a pretty weak WVU opponent. Not discrediting their win against Pitt last week, but they got very lucky to come away with a win. Kansas is just better in all areas and they’ll flex that for all four quarters.
Joel Wagler: Kansas 31-10 West Virginia
KU will pound the ball against West Virginia early, setting up the passing game for later. The Jayhawks win comfortably.
Riley Hibdon: Kansas 33-23 West Virginia
I think Kansas bounces back in this spot at home against the Mountaineers. Jalon Daniels will be hungry to prove that KU is a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 opener. It could very well get pretty tight, but I believe the Jayhawks will prevail in the end.
Connor Mardian: Kansas 35-24 West Virginia
I think Kansas is mildly comfortable throughout this game. You will see Daniels continue to manage this game, and you’d hope to see the run game have a watershed moment, but overall, this feels like a game Kansas should manage in order to establish itself as a Big 12 threat.