(Photo by Adam Hunger – Associated Press)
Tomorrow, the Mountaineers will travel to Memphis to take on the Army Black Knights in the Autozone Liberty Bowl. After originally being left out of bowl season with a 9-2 record, Army filled the void that was left by Tennessee after the Volunteers experienced COVID-19 issues within their program.
Army brings the complicated triple option offense to the table. As expected, the Black Knights possess one of the best running attacks in the entire nation. On the season, Army has averaged 281 yards on the ground per game, good for fourth in the nation, per ESPN. This will be a great challenge for the Mountaineer defense who has given up only 126 rushing yards per game to opponents.
The passing game is not a strong point of Army’s offensive attack, due to scheme. The Black Knights have only attempted 70 passes in 2020, and have only averaged 43 yards through the air per game. Having Army as an opponent will certainly help WVU’s passing defense statistics that have been solid all season.
Defensively, Army is the second best unit in the nation statistically. However, these impressive stats were mostly due to lack of opponent. The Black Knights have surrendered only 271 total yards per game, including 149 through the air and 121 on the ground, per ESPN.
Army will provide West Virginia with a great challenge, but the talent of the Mountaineers should prevail in this one. It’ll be a tight one throughout, but expect WVU to pull away late and with their first bowl game since the 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.
