West Virginia Mountaineers Vs. Iowa State Cyclones Game Notes, TV/Radio, And Preview

The 2014 regular season comes to a close for West Virginia football with the Mountaineers on the road today to take on Big 12 opponent, the Iowa State University Cyclones in Ames.

The Old Gold and Blue (6-5, 4-4 Big 12), seek to snap a three-game losing streak. WVU turned the ball over four times last week in their 26-20 loss to the Kansas State University Wildcats in the final home game of the season.

Iowa State (2-8, 0-7 Big 12) wants to claim a victory in the conference this season and bring to a halt a four-game losing streak of its own. The Cyclones are coming off a 34-31 loss at home last week to the Texas Tech University Red Raiders.

When: Saturday, Nov. 29

Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET.

Site: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa

Playing Surface: Natural Grass

All-Time Series: Tied At 1-1

In Morgantown: Iowa State leads 1-0 (Nov. 30, 2013 – Iowa State wins 52-44 in Triple OT)

In Ames: WVU leads 1-0 (Nov. 23, 2012 – WVU wins 31-24)

At Neutral Site: 0-0

Television Coverage: FOX Sports 1

Announcers: Craig Bolerjack and Ryan Nece with Julie Stewart-Binks reporting from the sideline

Radio Coverage: WZST 100.9 FM and the Mountaineers Sports Network From IMG

Announcers: Tony Caridi and Dwight Wallace with Jed Drenning reporting from the sideline

Streaming Audio: http://wvu.leanplayer.com/

Sirius XM Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 91, XM Channel 91

Live Stats: http://www.wvusports.com

Odds: WVU -13 According to OddsShark.com with the Over/Under at 63.

AccuWeather Online: Partly Sunny with a high of 46 and zero percent chance of rain/snow.

WVU quarterback Clint Trickett left last week’s contest against Kansas State after suffering his third concussion in about 12 months of football. Junior college transfer Skyler Howard came into the game midway through the third quarter and completed 15 of 23 for 198 yards, zero interceptions, and two touchdowns.

When Howard puts the ball in the air, senior wide receiver Kevin White will be ready as he heads into today’s matchup with 1,270 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Redshirt sophomore Rushel Shell leads the ground attack against the Wildcats with a 4.0 yards per carry average. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back from Hopewell, Penna, put up 60 yards on 14 carries.

It could be a good day for the Mountaineers ground game as Iowa State is 121st in the country in average rush yards allowed per game at 247.3. WVU has put together five 100-yard rushing performances this season with Shell putting up two, sophomore Wendell Smallwood adding two and senior Dreamius Smith contributing one.

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On the other sideline, Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads, who is in his sixth season at the helm of the Cyclones, was 4-4 against West Virginia teams when he was the defensive coordinator at the Pitt Panthers from 2000 to 2007.

The Cyclones offense is in the capable hands of junior quarterback Sam Richardson, who has thrown for 16 touchdowns this season, and has three 300-yard passing games in his last four contests played.

One of Richardson’s favorite targets is tight end E.J. Bibbs, who has hauled in 45 receptions and eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 264-pound senior has caught a pass in 22 consecutive games, tying the school record for the second-longest streak in team history.

Iowa State does not give away too many opportunities to their opponents as they have won or tied the turnover battle in seven of 10 games this season and have committed only 12 miscues, which ranks them 11th in the country. ISU also is ranked ninth nationally in fewest penalties with 45.

My Prediction: West Virginia 30 and Iowa State 20.