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No. 6 West Virginia looks to avoid upset at Iowa State
No. 6 West Virginia (5-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Iowa State (2-3, 1-2), 7 p.m. ET (FS1).
Line: West Virginia by 6½.
Series record: West Virginia leads 5-1.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
This could be a tough one for league-leading West Virginia, which will look to avoid losing in Ames as an unbeaten top-10 team — like TCU did a year ago. An upset win would put Iowa State back in the mix for the second spot in the Big 12 title game.
KEY MATCHUP
West Virginia QB Will Grier vs. Iowa State's secondary. Grier threw three picks against Kansas a week ago, and the Cyclones have one of the better backfields in the Big 12. If Grier forces the ball like he did against the Jayhawks, Iowa State will make him pay.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Virginia: RB Leddie Brown: The freshman back has a pair of 100-yard rushing games, and last week he caught a touchdown pass and ran for another TD. If he and running mates Kennedy McKoy and Martell Pettaway get rolling, Grier should have plenty of room down field.
Iowa State: QB Brock Purdy: The freshman was brilliant in last week's upset at Oklahoma State, racking up 402 total yards. But West Virginia has allowed 18.6 points a game and ranks first in the Big 12 in fewest yards rushing allowed. Purdy will find it much tougher to find space on designed runs this week.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Mountaineers are 3-0 in Ames. ... Iowa State has won its last five league games played in October, and three of its opponents were ranked. ... West Virginia's 57 percent conversion rate on third downs ranks fourth nationally. ... Iowa State has held all five of its opponents to below their season scoring average. ... West Virginia has won 19 consecutive games when leading at halftime.
