Two of the Big 12's most impressive teams in the early season will square off Saturday when West Virginia hosts No. 4 Oklahoma in Morgantown.
The Sooners have been one of the favorites for the playoff ever since their Sugar Bowl dismantling of Alabama. They've done nothing to make people think otherwise so far this season, recording blowout victories over Louisiana Tech, Tulsa and Tennessee. Quarterback Trevor Knight has emerged as a strong Heisman candidate, and the Sooners boast one of the top defenses in the country.
Through three weeks, West Virginia has certainly played like a contender in the Big 12. The Mountaineers' season began with a close loss to Alabama, followed by a blowout of FCS Towson and a close win over cross-state rival Maryland. West Virginia has one of the best passing offenses in the nation, and it looks like Dana Holgorsen has finally found a suitable replacement for Geno Smith in Florida State transfer Clint Trickett.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET.
TV: FOX.
Radio: Here's a list of affiliates for Oklahoma. Here's one for West Virginia.
Online streaming: FoxSportsGo.
Our sites on these teams
The numbers
Rankings and records: Oklahoma is ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll and No. 3 in the Coaches Poll. West Virginia is not ranked in either poll. The Sooners are 3-0 this season, while the Mountaineers are 2-1. This is the Big 12 opener for both teams. Oklahoma holds a 4-2 lead in the all-time series.
Vegas: Oklahoma opened as an 11-point favorite. The line has since moved to 7.5.
Weather forecast: 59 degrees, mostly clear.
Two things at stake
With a strong performance, West Virginia can prove it belongs as a Big 12 contender.
Oklahoma's a strong playoff contender through three weeks, and a shellacking of what looks like a good Mountaineers squad would only strengthen their stock.
One big matchup
West Virginia passing offense vs. Oklahoma passing defense. Clint Trickett has been one of the nation's best passers through three weeks, ranking third in the country in passing yards (1,224) and second in completion percentage (75.4%). Kevin White has been a revelation for the Mountaineers at wide receiver, catching 32 passes for 460 yards.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma's defense is second-best in the Big 12 in opposing passer rating. They held Tennessee's Justin Worley to 21 of 44 for 201 yards and two interceptions and Louisiana Tech's Cody Sokol to just 191 yards. Sophomore cornerback Zack Sanchez already has three interceptions this season (the Sooners have six total), while senior corner Julian Wilson has four passes broken up and a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Further reading
For more on Oklahoma, head to Crimson and Cream Machine. For full coverage of West Virginia, check out The Smoking Musket.