MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Bookies are expecting a bloodbath when West Virginia visits Oklahoma this week.
Circa Sports, the first sportsbook to set a line for the game, is favoring the Sooners by 33.5 points.
It is the second-biggest point spread that West Virginia has ever faced as an underdog. The only larger spread came in 2001 when the Mountaineers were a 35-point underdog to No. 1 Miami. That Hurricanes team, considered by some to be the greatest college squad of all-time, beat the Mountaineers 45-3.
This year’s Sooners aren’t quite at that level, but are formidable nonetheless. No. 6 Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) is rolling through opponents for an average of 50.2 points per game. Heisman Trophy candidate is averaging 293 passing yards and 105 rushing yards per game.
Already facing a talent deficit, West Virginia (3-3, 1-2) could be short-handed going into the game.
Starting cornerback Hakeem Bailey will miss the first half after getting ejected for targeting in the second half of the Iowa State game. Fellow starter Keith Washington was inactive against Iowa State due to a muscle injury that affected his ability to run, so his return against Oklahoma is no guarantee.
Starting quarterback Austin Kendall’s status is also in the air after leaving the Iowa State game with a chest injury.
West Virginia is 0-7 against the Sooners since joining the Big 12. Oklahoma won 59-31 when the teams last met in Norman in 2017.