There's really not much left to play for when West Virginia meets Iowa State on Saturday. The Mountaineers are bowl eligible despite a nasty late-season losing skid, and there's not much left to do really besides jockey for a slightly better bowl and perhaps even an end-of-season spot in the rankings. Iowa State will not be going bowling this year, and at 2-9, they can basically just try to avoid losing double-digit games.
The big storyline for this game is the status of Clint Trickett. The West Virginia quarterback left last week's game after suffering a concussion, and did not practice this week. If he isn't cleared to play, Skyler Howard will make his first career start after putting in an admirable shift in a losing effort against Kansas State.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 12 p.m. ET
TV: Fox Sports 1 (Craig Bolerjack/Ryan Nece/Julie Stewart-Binks)
Radio: West Virginia |Iowa State
Online streaming: Fox Sports Go
The numbers
Rankings and records: The Mountaineers enter this game at 6-5 (4-4 Big 12), and are currently riding a three-game losing streak. Iowa State is 2-8 (0-7 Big 12), and has lost four straight. The all-time series is tied at 1-1.
Vegas: The Mountaineers are favored by 13 with an over/under of 63, per OddsShark.com.
Weather forecast: Partly cloudy with a high of 46.
Two things at stake
West Virginia: End the season on a high note. Things have fallen apart quickly for the Mountaineers after a strong October, losing three in a row. The Mountaineers have made undeniable progress as a team in 2014, but it will feel like a bit of a downer to go out of the season on a four-game losing streak and 6-6 record. Take care of business against the Cyclones and things will feel a little bit better.
Iowa State: Get out of last place. The Cyclones are 0-7 in the Big 12, and after West Virginia the end the season against a TCU team that will want to win with some style to impress the Playoff committee. If they can't beat the Mountaineers, it's likely that they'll go winless in conference for the season and alone in last place.
One big matchup
West Virginia's quarterback vs. Iowa State's defense. Whether it's Clint Trickett or Skyler Howard under center for West Virginia, they will have a favorable matchup against the Iowa State defense. The Cyclones are ranked north of 100 in every major statistical category, and give up over 37 points per game. If Howard is forced to make his first career start, he will have a good opportunity to make it a memorable debut.
Further reading
For more on the Cyclones, check out Wide Right & Natty Lite. For more on the Mountaineers, head over to The Smoking Musket.