Walk Thru Game Show: West Virginia vs. Texas Tech Preview and Prediction

Postseason outlook and rankings

The hosts discuss new postseason projections for West Virginia after its bye week. The team’s bowl outlook was neither improved nor harmed by the week off, and the show considers what a successful but realistic finish would look like.

The episode also features a blind-ranking game. Eugene ranks five former Mountaineer running backs, while the other host ranks five quarterbacks from across WVU football eras and talent levels.

Players to watch

Cam Cook is highlighted after being held below 100 yards in each of the past two weeks. Eugene names him in the show’s Napoleon’s Dynamite segment. The other host selects a Mountaineer to watch on defense and identifies one player each on offense and defense for Texas Tech.

Texas Tech matchup

Texas Tech has changed quarterbacks, moving from Will Hammond to Thomas Castellanos. The hosts discuss the challenge Castellanos presents to West Virginia’s defense, along with Tech’s highly regarded rushing duo.

West Virginia will also face a stout Texas Tech front seven, another focus of the matchup discussion. The game is listed for 9:30 p.m. on ESPN, with Texas Tech ranked No. 13.

Show participation and contest

Viewers are invited to post picks for five games in the comments on the West Virginia On SI YouTube page. Anyone who gets all five right will win an autographed picture from Eugene Napoleon.

The show also asks viewers to answer a question about Rich Rod’s winning percentage as WVU head coach coming out of a bye week. The contest rules say entry is open from Dec. 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET through Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET, with no purchase necessary; the CFP is not a sponsor or administrator.