West Virginia at Houston - 2023 Matchup Preview

West Virginia Mountaineers at Houston Cougars

Thursday, October 12th 2023 (7:00 PM EDT)
West Virginia -3.0 (49.5) (-140) Open: -3.0 | 52.5
Houston 41 - West Virginia: 39 (Big 12)

Mountaineers (9 - 4) (8 - 5 - 0)
Coach Neal Brown (24 - 26)
Avg Score : 22 - 31 (21 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.3 - 5.7 (#54)
'23 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Wind: 12.4 MPH
WVU coming off BYE
HOU coming off BYE
Our Line: West Virginia -9.5 (SP+ WVU -13.5)
Projected Score: WVU: 30 - HOU: 21 (51)
WVU Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
WVU Travel: 1109 miles, 1 hrs ahead

Cougars (4 - 8) (6 - 6 - 0)
Coach Dana Holgorsen (28 - 22)
Avg Score : 29 - 23 (26 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3.8 - 8.2 (#122)
'23 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
WVU Players
HOU Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

West Virginia's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	West Virginia at Penn State	+21.0	48.0	L 15 - 38	O	N
Sat 9/9	West Virginia vs Duquesne	-38.5	55.5	W 56 - 17	O	Y
Sat 9/16	West Virginia vs Pittsburgh	-2.5	48.0	W 17 - 6	U	Y
Sat 9/23	West Virginia vs Texas Tech	+6.0	53.5	W 20 - 13	U	Y
Sat 9/30	West Virginia at TCU	+14.0	52.0	W 24 - 21	U	Y
	BYE WEEK
Thu 10/12	West Virginia at Houston	-3.0	49.5	L 39 - 41	O	N
Sat 10/21	West Virginia vs Oklahoma State	-3.0	48.0	L 34 - 48	O	N
Sat 10/28	West Virginia at UCF	+6.5	59.5	W 41 - 28	O	Y
Sat 11/4	West Virginia vs BYU	-13.0	48.5	W 37 - 7	U	Y
Sat 11/11	West Virginia at Oklahoma	+13.5	59.5	L 20 - 59	O	N
Sat 11/18	West Virginia vs Cincinnati	-4.5	52.5	W 42 - 21	O	Y
Sat 11/25	West Virginia at Baylor	-6.5	53.5	W 34 - 31	O	N
Wed 12/27	West Virginia vs North Carolina	-4.5	62.0	W 30 - 10	U	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for West Virginia's Schedule

Houston's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	Houston vs UTSA	+2.5	59.5	W 17 - 14	U	Y
Sat 9/9	Houston at Rice	-7.5	51.0	L 41 - 43	O	N
Sat 9/16	Houston vs TCU	+7.5	64.0	L 13 - 36	U	N
Sat 9/23	Houston vs Sam Houston	-11.5	37.0	W 38 - 7	O	Y
Sat 9/30	Houston at Texas Tech	+8.5	52.0	L 28 - 49	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Thu 10/12	Houston vs West Virginia	+3.0	49.5	W 41 - 39	O	Y
Sat 10/21	Houston vs Texas	+24.0	60.5	L 24 - 31	U	Y
Sat 10/28	Houston at Kansas State	+17.5	61.0	L 0 - 41	U	N
Sat 11/4	Houston at Baylor	+3.0	58.5	W 25 - 24	U	Y
Sat 11/11	Houston vs Cincinnati	-3.5	53.5	L 14 - 24	U	N
Sat 11/18	Houston vs Oklahoma State	+6.5	56.5	L 30 - 43	O	N
Sat 11/25	Houston at UCF	+15.5	61.5	L 13 - 27	U	Y

Important Stats (2022)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WVU	.21	43%	21.8	45%	3.08	172	42%	227	4.2	.21	44%	30.8	45%	43%	3.8	53	1.5	1.3
HOU	.33	47%	29.1	46%	3.38	142	49%	314	4.76	.22	43%	22.8	42%	44%	3.86	69.9	1.5	1.2

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WVU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
HOU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2022

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WVU Offense	12	21.8	20.8	43.3%	4.2	1.5	23	398	172	227	4.6	48%	51%	45%	42%	15%	.21
HOU Defense	13	22.8	24.2	43%	3.86	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	47%	53%	42%	44%	18%	.22

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WVU Defense	12	30.8	33.5	44.3%	3.8	1.3	-	-	-	-	-	48%	52%	45%	43%	15%	.21
HOU Offense	13	29.1	25.7	47.5%	4.76	1.5	23	456	142	314	4.6	42%	57%	46%	49%	14%	.33

Additional Stats 2022

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
West Virginia	12	31:19	23	41%	69%	6.4	53	1.5	1.3	5.7	2.2	2	26.9
Houston	13	29:52	23.5	45%	67%	7.8	69.9	1.5	1.2	6.8	2.2	3	30.2

Run Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WVU Offense	12	48%	45%	37.2	171.5	4.6	24	.2	3.08	70%	8%	1.01
HOU Defense	13	47%	42%	-	-	-	-	.13	2.79	83%	12%	1.08

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WVU Defense	12	48%	45%	-	-	-	-	.13	3.07	76%	10%	0.99
HOU Offense	13	42%	46%	30.8	142.1	4.6	17	.19	3.38	69%	9%	1.01

Pass Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WVU Offense	12	51%	42%	21.3	35.5	226.7	6.4	10.7	20	12	.24	1.5	30%	34%	.32	7%	1.8
HOU Defense	13	53%	44%	-	-	-	-	-	-	7	.33	1.6	34%	35%	.38	6%	2.1

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WVU Defense	12	52%	43%	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	.3	1.6	30%	32%	.36	4%	2.1
HOU Offense	13	57%	49%	25.9	38.5	314	8.2	12.1	40	10	.48	1.6	30%	40%	.64	5%	2

West Virginia's Power Ratings
West Virginia's Power Rating: 3.47 #45
West Virginia's Offense Rating: 20.84 #32
West Virginia's Defense Rating: 11.21 #88
2023 Talent Rating: 666.23 #50
Blue Chip Ratio: 11% #43
West Virginia's 2023 Expected Record: 7.30 - 5.70
West Virginia's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.4 #44
West Virginia's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.2 #38
West Virginia's Defense SP+ Rating: 26.4 #63

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 669.44
Average Power Five Talent: 738.21
Average FBS Talent: 581.24

Power Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: 3.47 Houston: -4.895

SP+ Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: 5.4 Houston: -8.3

Houston's Power Ratings
Houston's Power Rating: -4.895 #97
Houston's Offense Rating: 13.48 #95
Houston's Defense Rating: 14.57 #113
2023 Talent Rating: 670.25 #49
Blue Chip Ratio: 8 #53
Houston's 2023 Expected Record: 3.80 - 8.20
Houston's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -8.3 #95
Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5 #73
Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 32.5 #104

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 669.44
Average Power Five Talent: 738.21
Average FBS Talent: 581.24

West Virginia Scoring
Offense: 21.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 20.8
Defense: 30.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.5

West Virginia's 2023 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 8 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 5
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 5 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0

Projected Score
West Virginia 30
Houston 21

Projected Total Points: 51

Houston Scoring
Offense: 29.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 25.7
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 24.2

Houston's 2023 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 7
Record at home: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 5 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	11/01	Houston	35	West Virginia	45	Houston -13.5	West Virginia	48.5	Over
2023	10/12	Houston	41	West Virginia	39	West Virginia -3.0	Houston	49.5	Over

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Houston	1	1	2 Overs
West Virginia	1	1	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 1	1 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 1	1 - 0

(#45) WVU at (#97) HOU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WVU	HOU
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#45	#97
SP+SP+	#44	#95
Perf GradeGrade	#46	#99
OffenseOff	#31	#72
DefenseDef	#85	#113
Spec TeamsST	#127	#111
TalentTal	#50	#49
Blue ChipsBC%	#43	#53

West Virginia Injury Report

Houston Injury Report

West Virginia on Offense


CategoryCat	WVU Off	HOU Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#31	#113
SuccessSuc	NR	NR
ExplosiveExp	NR	NR
PPAPPA	NR	NR
PowerPwr	#32	#113
SP+SP+	#38	#104
Pts POPPO	NR	NR
HavocHav	NR	NR

West Virginia Run Game


CategoryCat	WVU Off	HOU Def
Run GameRun	#6	#92
Run SuccessRSuc	NR	NR
Run ExplRExp	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Run BlockR Blk	#61	-
OL YdsOLY	NR	NR
Stuff RateStuff	NR	NR
TackleTak	-	#101

West Virginia Pass Game


CategoryCat	WVU Off	HOU Def
Pass GamePass	#28	#114
Pass SuccessPSuc	NR	NR
Pass ExplPExl	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#8	#122
F7 HavocF7	NR	NR
DB HavocDB	NR	NR

Houston on Offense


CategoryCat	HOU Off	WVU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#72	#85
SuccessSuc	NR	NR
ExplosiveExp	NR	NR
PPAPPA	NR	NR
PowerPwr	#95	#88
SP+SP+	#73	#63
Pts POPPO	NR	NR
HavocHav	NR	NR

Houston Run Game


CategoryCat	HOU Off	WVU Def
Run GameRun	#102	#61
Run SuccessRSuc	NR	NR
Run ExplRExp	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Run BlockR Blk	#62	-
OL YdsOLY	NR	NR
Stuff RateStuff	NR	NR
TackleTak	-	#70

Houston Pass Game


CategoryCat	HOU Off	WVU Def
Pass GamePass	#63	#99
Pass SuccessPSuc	NR	NR
Pass ExplPExl	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#46	#85
F7 HavocF7	NR	NR
DB HavocDB	NR	NR

Program Comparison
HOU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'23 Profile: Down to Average G5

WVU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'23 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in O'Quinn Field at TDECU Stadium
Conditions: Fair
Temp: 75° - Wind: 12 mph

Rematch from Week 7
West Virginia 3.0 (49.5)
Houston won vs West Virginia this year (41-39)

Previous Matchups
West Virginia beat Houston last year (45-35)
Houston beat West Virginia in 2023 (41-39)

WVU's OC Chad Scott (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Garrett Greene	147	278	53%	2406	16	4	8.7
Nicco Marchiol	30	53	57%	247	2	3	4.7

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jahiem White	109	842	4	7.7	53
CJ Donaldson	171	798	11	4.7	32
Garrett Greene	120	772	13	6.4	48
Justin Johnson	38	150	1	3.9	30

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Devin Carter (Tr)	27	501	2	18.6	49
Hudson Clement	22	480	4	21.8	70
Kole Taylor (Tr)	35	444	4	12.7	43
Preston Fox	26	368	2	14.2	34

View West Virginia's Full Roster

WVU's DC ShaDon Brown (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Lee Kpogba	97	8	3	8	1
Anthony Wilson (Tr)	80	2	0	0	4
Beanie Bishop (Tr)	67	1	0	0	20
Ben Cutter	56	6	2	0	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jared Bartlett	49	7	5	2	1
Tomiwa Durojaiye (Tr)	23	6	4	1	0
Lee Kpogba	97	8	3	8	1
Edward Vesterinen	28	5	3	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Beanie Bishop (Tr)	67	1	0	0	20
Marcis Floyd	50	5	2	6	7
Malachi Ruffin	37	0	0	0	5

HOU's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Donovan Smith (Tr)	255	396	64%	2800	22	13	7.1
Ui Ale	4	8	50%	69	1	0	8.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Parker Jenkins	99	464	3	4.7	31
Donovan Smith (Tr)	138	429	6	3.1	35
Stacy Sneed	48	282	1	5.9	58
Tony Mathis (Tr)	41	170	0	4.1	23

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Sam Brown	61	815	3	13.4	53
Joseph Manjack	46	577	6	12.5	49
Matthew Golden	38	404	6	10.6	39
Stephon Johnson Jr.	23	269	3	11.7	49

View Houston's Full Roster

HOU's DC Doug Belk (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
A.J. Haulcy	90	1	1	2
Malik Robinson	73	2	2	1
Jamal Morris	59	2	2	5
Isaiah Hamilton (Tr)	46	2	1	4

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Nelson Ceaser	36	10	7	3	0
Jamaree Caldwell	26	9	7	0	0
David Ugwoegbu (Tr)	41	6	3	2	3
Anthony Holmes Jr.	20	5	3	3	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
Jamal Morris	59	2	2	5
Malik Fleming (Tr)	39	2	0	5
Isaiah Hamilton (Tr)	46	2	1	4