West Virginia TCU football preview picks TCU is a 13.5 point underdog entering the game against the number nine Horned Frogs the diehards pickers Sports Illustrated SB Nation in the Dallas Morning News all predicted TCU is the consensus pick to win the game although several experts predicted the Mountaineers to cover one get the running game going Justin Crawford is one of the most productive backs in the nation rushing for at least 100 yards in every game this season with Kennedy McCoy the Mountaineers have an effective 1 to 2 punch from the backfield that gives fits two rival defensive coordinators but it will be a challenge against the TCU rush defense that ranks 13th nationally and is limiting opponents to 2.8 to yards per carry the Mountaineers rushed for 288 yards against Kansas in their most recent game they have run for at least 150 yards in 26 of their last 30 games and all four games this season the running game has proven to be the most consistent weapon for the Mountaineers this season WVU has produced a big 12 leading 5.8 yards per carry in 2017 good for 12th in the nation even if the Mountaineers might struggle early in the game getting their running game going it will be important for new WVU offensive coordinator Jake's pivotal to keep his faith in the process and not get away from the game plan patience will be critical against Gary Patterson's array of blitz packages to improve the run defense pronto the Mountaineers were gashed for a school record 291 yards by Kansas's call ill Herbert two weeks ago as the Jay looks rested 67 yards and 7.3 yards per carry if the Mountaineers have any hopes of springing a shocking upset they must stiffen the bye week gave West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson a chance to get his roster healthy for a challenge from a potent TCU defense with multiple rushing threats the frogs lead the big 12 with 203 two point three yards per game Gibson had a quick answer for improvement against the Horned Frogs tackle he told reporters earlier this week