Key Matchups to watch
The biggest matchup to keep an eye on Saturday will be the Bearcats defensive line against the Mountaineers offensive line. Zach Fraizer is arguably the best center in all of college football after being named a Preseason First Team All-American. However, they will have their hands full on Sunday as Dontay Corleone vs Frazier will be a matchup that most scouts and fans will be paying attention to come Saturday.
“The strength of West Virginia is their offensive line,” Scott Satterfield said. “Zach Frazier is the anchor of that line as he is one of the best centers in the country. He does an outstanding job, he plays strong, with great balance and always seems to be in great position. That will be a matchup to keep an eye on if you like watching those big guys up front, that will be the matchup to watch for sure.”
Dontay Corleone on the other hand is embracing the challenge as he has been all season as teams have really honed in on the sophomore after seeing his stats dip from a season ago but has continued to be the heart and soul of the Bearcats defense alongside guys like Malik Vann and Jowon Briggs up front. “I’m excited for the challenge, but it’s not just Zach Frazier, they have other great offensive lineman next to him,” Dontay Corleone said. “It’s going to be a dogfight but we’re very excited for that matchup.”
Beanie Bishop is a name to keep an eye on in the Mountaineers secondary as the Minnesota transfer is having his best season of his career as the senior leads the country in passes defended with 21. Bishop also has recorded 19 PBU’s and four interceptions on the season, as the veteran has a knack to be around the ball and is someone that could be a difference maker on Saturday.
Rivalry renewed
The rivalry between these two programs dates back to their times in the Big East, however now that both are back in the same conference for the first time since 2013, they look to renew that rivalry as they are the closest program to one another in the newly revamped Big 12 following the conference’s expansion. “I do think this will be a natural rivalry as we move forward in the Big 12,” said Scott Satterfield. “I think both fanbases and programs can argue this will be a great game each and every year going forward.”
The Bearcats have not had the best of luck with the Mountaineers in the past as the Mountaineers lead the all-time series 16-3-1. Can the Bearcats keep the ball rolling on Saturday after picking up their first victory in almost two months? I guess we will find out Saturday as the game is set to kickoff at 2:30 pm from Milan Puskar Stadium.
