No. 8 Oklahoma faces No. 10 West Virginia in conference play this Saturday at 7 p.m. CT. Here are five things Oklahoma fans need to know about the Mountaineers:

1) West Virginia has beaten every Big 12 team -- but one

Since joining the Big 12 in 2012, West Virginia has topped every conference team except Oklahoma. The Sooners own a 6-2 all-time record against the Mountaineers, including 4-0 since the two have shared a conference.

In 2012, Oklahoma won 50-49 in the infamous Tavon Austin game, where the WR-turned-RB accrued 572 all-purpose yards against the OU defense. The next year was a defensive battle, with the Sooners coming out on top 16-7. Oklahoma took both games in 2014 and 2015 by margins of 12 and 20 points, respectively.

The last time West Virginia beat Oklahoma was in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl, when the Mountaineers upset the eight-point favorite Sooners.

2) Unstoppable force meets immovable object

Saturday’s game in Morgantown matches up the Big 12’s best offense with the league’s best defense.

Oklahoma averages 591.1 yards of total offense in Big 12 play, including an 854-yard showing against Texas Tech nearly a month ago. The Sooners average 48 points per game, as well. West Virginia, on the other hand, ranks first in total defense with 383.3 yards allowed per game and scoring defense with 20.2 points per game.

In the Mountaineers’ only loss -- a 37-20 decision in favor of Oklahoma State -- OSU QB Mason Rudolph shredded the WVU defense to the tune of 273 yards and three touchdowns -- two of which went to the same receiver.

Biletnikoff semifinalist Dede Westbrook might have a tougher time against West Virginia than he had against the likes of Texas Tech, Kansas and Iowa State, but don’t be surprised if he catches a couple scores.

3) West Virgina’s offense is solid

Although it looked shaky early in the year during non-conference contests with BYU and Missouri, West Virginia’s offense has turned into somewhat of a machine in recent weeks.

Senior QB Skyler Howard averages 284.7 passing yards per game, good for No. 22 nationally. He’s thrown for 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. His primary target, WR Daikiel Shorts, leads the Mountaineers with 51 receptions for 753 yards and four scores. Fellow WR Shelton Gibson isn’t far behind with 35 catches for 701. Gibson, however, leads the team in touchdown receptions with six.

Leading WVU’s ground attack is RB Justin Crawford with 599 yards and four touchdowns. He averages 6.1 yards per rush.

4) Get ready for a rowdy crowd

With near-freezing temperatures, rain and possibly snow in the forecast, the environment at Milan Pusker Stadium could be special on Saturday. Couple that with the inside track to the Big 12 title on the line and what some West Virginia fans are calling the Mountaineers’ biggest home game in 20 years? You’ve got a recipe for a madhouse.

The Sooners will take on the Mountaineers in prime time (7 p.m. CT, ABC), but OU offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley says he and his offense welcome the pressure that comes with a hostile crowd bearing down for 60 minutes.

“I think (OU’s offense knows) my feelings on it, at this point,” Riley said. “Just that it’s something you can’t shy away from. You got to embrace it. How could you not enjoy it?”

5) Don’t be fooled by West Virginia’s ranking

At 8-1, West Virginia is puzzlingly ranked behind several two-loss teams (including Oklahoma) and even a three-loss USC in this week’s College Football Playoff Top 25.

The Mountaineers sit at No. 14, while 8-2 Oklahoma is all the way up at No. 9. Between them are Colorado, Oklahoma State, Utah -- all two-loss teams -- and USC.

However, West Virginia has victories over SEC-foe Missouri and BYU on its resume to go with blowouts of Texas Tech, TCU and a narrow win over Texas.

If the Mountaineers best Oklahoma on Saturday, there’s a good chance the playoff committee will begin to take them seriously. With Iowa State and Baylor left on WVU’s schedule, there’s a significant chance the Mountaineers will make it to the Sugar Bowl -- or, perhaps, an unlikely playoff berth -- if they walk away with a W this weekend.

Twitter: @BradyVardeman