Looking at the stats, some reasons to give hope, others to despair (yes, I know stats can prove/disprove anything the person who cites them desires to prove. Mine are merely for informational purposes, no betting, please);γ
Penalty Yards: Texas, #95 (65.38 ypg); WV, #112 (73.71);γ
Turnover Margin: Texas, #21 (+.63); WV, #49 (+.29). γ
I want to pause right here, because these two stats are very important. In fact, if you can lead your opponent in these two stats, it increases your chance to win. Just sayin'. You mean there is somebody worse at penalties than we are? Yes...WV and Tceh, our next two opponents. I think Tceh has about a 10-year hold on this stat, last in the Big-12 in penalties during that time frame; γ
Pass Offense: Texas, #42 (255.4); WV, #9 (331.3); γ
Rush Offense: Texas, #83 (154); WV, #89 (147.9); γ
Now for the bad news; there is not a single remaining major category in which we lead WV. Offensively, defensively, etc., we don't win. But, that's why they still play the games on the field; γ
Pass Yds. Allowed: Texas, #90 (245.3); WV, #57 (216.6); γ
Rush Defense: Texas, #36 (133.3); WV, #34 (132.9); γ
Sacks: Texas, #78 (15): WV, #47 (17). γ
Net Punting: Texas, #89 (36.24); WV, #40 (39.32); γ
Kick return defense: Texas, #96 (22.88); WV, #55 (20.17); γ
etc. γ
None of it looks very good. But, I'll go back to the first two stats- if we limit our penalties, and win the turnover war, we win the game. That is all. γ
Hook 'em. γ