Morgantown, WV — The stage is set in Morgantown for a pivotal Week Five clash that feels like a crossroads for both Utah and West Virginia. Here is the game preview and score prediction.

Each team enters 0–1 in Big 12 play after humbling losses last weekend, and neither can afford to slip further behind in the conference race.

Kyle Whittingham’s Utes make the long trip east for the program’s first game at West Virginia. On the other sideline, Rich Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia has brought juice back to the program.

This isn’t just another Saturday afternoon in September — it’s a bounce-back game both programs have to have.

Hitting the road in Week 5️⃣!

🆚 West Virginia
🏟️ Milan Puskar Stadium
⏰ SAT 09.27 | 1:30PM MT
📺 @CFBONFOX
📻 @ESPN700 / 92.1 FM#GoUtes | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/4GWMWu7RWi

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 22, 2025

The Stakes in the Big 12 Race

Both programs are walking into a must-respond type of game.

Utah was humbled by Texas Tech, 34–10, in Salt Lake City and needs to have a stronger steady the Big 12 campaign before a tricky mid-season stretch.

Texas Tech held the Utes to 263 total yards, 162 yards through the air and 101 on the ground, while also forcing four turnovers. Leaving many looking for answers from Utah’s offense this weekend.

West Virginia is in a similar posture after a 41–10 loss at Kansas that exposed special-teams cracks and an offense that couldn’t keep pace.

This will be Rich Rodriguez’s first Big 12 home test since returning as head coach. After an emotionally charged win over bitter rival Pitt, the wheels came off against Kansas.

West Virginia is in a similar posture after a 41–10 loss at Kansas that exposed special-teams cracks and an offense that couldn’t keep pace.

Taking ⚪️🪶 to West Virginia!#GoUtes | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/wTUTC30kBJ

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 24, 2025

Deep Dive: What This Matchup Really Is

When Utah has the ball

Utah has to start providing answers in the passing game. Even with the Jayhawks running for 242 yards last week against the Mountaineers, it’s more important for the Utes to convert on opportunities through the air this week.

That’s not to discount the importance of Utah re-establishing control along the line of scrimmage with the offensive line, though. After rushing for only 101 yards on the ground, Utah needs to get the run game back into gear too.

The Mountaineers are an aggressive 3-3-5 defense. The defense under DC Zac Alley has teeth: 12 sacks through four games, and they’ve totaled the second-most pressures, 58, in the conference behind Texas Tech, meaning Utah’s pass protection will be put to the test.

Utah should utilize a mixture of protections to keep Dampier clean, but Beck and the passing attack have to start making defenses pay for over-aggressive play.

When West Virginia has the ball

Jaylen Henderson is going to be the guy at the helm this weekend. But beyond him taking snaps, there’s a lot up in the air about who will actually be on the field for the Mountaineers offense.

The Mountaineers have been balanced in terms of yards, with 820 rushing yards and 812 passing yards. Scoring has been hit or miss though, averaging just 24.0 points per game.

Henderson is an athletic quarterback that seems like a good fit in Rich Rod’s option attack. That should be the focal point of Utah’s defensive game plan.

Even after last week’s letdown in the 4th quarter, Utah is still limiting opposing rushing attacks to 3.5 yards per carry and 110 yards per game. The Utes need to clamp down on the Mountaineer rushing attack that averages over 200 yards a game.

Utah vs West Virginia: The Winning Recipe

1. Protect the QB with multiplicity. Use six- and seven-man protections, RPO/quick-game, and  to blunt a WVU front that’s been among the conference’s better pass rushes. Alley currently only has a 24.8% blitz rate, but Utah has to make him pay when he gets too aggressive with calls for the Mountaineer defense.

2. Reclaim third down. Utah’s season-long success rate (61%) has to reappear—especially 3rd-and-medium—after a 4-for-14 stumble vs. Tech. That single metric will tell you if Utah’s script is working. Utah needs to find greater success on early downs to convert more manageable conversion downs.

3. Own the explosive ledger without turnovers. Utah has to protect the ball and limit turnovers. The Utes don’t need fireworks every series—just two or three clean shot plays paired with ball security after last week’s four giveaways.

Swing Matchups

• Utah OT/TE protection vs. WVU edge pressure: if Utah holds up, the Utes control pace; if not, this becomes a grind.

• Utah DBs vs. Jaylen Henderson’s decision-making: Utah’s takeaway threat lurking against an unknown commodity at QB—one or two ill-timed balls could decide it.

• Field Position: Utah struggled against Texas Tech in the field position battle. It felt like the Utes were constantly digging themselves out of a deep hole.

Utah vs West Virginia score prediction

Though there is a chance for this game to break loose, given West Virginia’s health, the expectation is that this will still be a rugged, tough hard fought battle. Regardless, Utah has to earn it.

There’s so much unknown with the Mountaineers on the offense end, it’s kind of a wildcard.

Score Prediction: Utah 31, West Virginia 17

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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