College Football 2018 Conference Previews -- Big 12

BIG 12

OVERVIEW

West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen (Ray Carlin USAToday)

The storyline this year in the Big 12 is quarterback -- who is and isn't around.
The top selection is West Virginia, because quarterback Will Grier returns. Grier has run Dana Holgorsen's offense almost perfectly in his time in Morgantown, and wants to exit stage left with a Big 12 championship ring. A deep receiving corps is led by David Sills V, whose 18 touchdowns were the best in the country in 2017. Gary Stills led the team in catches and TJ Simmons and Marcus Simms add to the riches. An upgraded defense could give him just that, though truth be told defense in the Big 12 only has to be adequate, not great. Oklahoma made last year's College Football Playoff thanks in large part to Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield. A savvy, deadly accurate passer, Mayfield played with a huge chip on his shoulder, becoming maybe the best walk-on quarterback to ever play college football -- if not the most decorated. While many in Boomer Sooner land think that the wheels will hum with the same precision in 2018, that will be nearly impossible. You see, Kyler Murray isn't Mayfield -- he's a better runner and better athlete, but not a better passer. So it's reasonable to wonder how he will react when the Sooners are faced with adversity on third-and-a-million. Mayfield would improvise and, more often than not, get the job done. With Murray we just don't know. The defense has talent and speed, but also some holes, most notably against the pass.

 Texas has its own quarterback quandary -- sort of. Sam Ehlinger returns as the favorite, but Shane Buechele has had his moments. The Longhorns boast one of the better receiving corps in the conference and have an experienced offensive line, and the defense is snarling and should vie for top honors in the Big 12. Whether or not that's enough to finish in the top two remains to be seen. Gary Patterson led his TCU team to 11 wins last year but now has to rebuild in crucial places, most notably along the offensive line. New quarterback Shawn Robinson is a better passer than Kenny Hill and has the mobility to keep teams honest. He has excellent weapons in Jalen Reagor and KaVontae Turpin, and the defense will be its usual sturdy self.

Matt Campbell did a yeoman's job in his second season in Ames, leading the Cyclones to their first eight-win campaign since 2000. What he does for an encore depends on how the defensive leadership steps up. Gone is heart and soul linebacker Joel Lanning, and his place is -- who? Maybe linebacker Willie Harvey or talented cornerback Brian Peavy. The offense has the benefit of sixth-year quarterback Kyle Kempt, and physical running back David Montgomery. The schedule is tough, however. If Mike Gundy can get this year's Oklahoma State team to contend, they should just retire the coach of the year award. There is a ton to replace, including quarterback Mason Rudolph and receivers Marcell Ateman and James Washington. Hawaii transfer Dru Brown is the likely pick to run the offense. Kansas State is yet another team with an unsettled quarterback battle, featuring Alex Delton and Skylar Thompson -- Delton is the better runner, Thompson the better passer. So it will depend on what sort of identity Bill Snyder wants his offense to have. The good news is that the Wildcats have one of the most experienced offensive lines in the league, led by All-America candidate Dalton Risner at left tackle. The defense is almost completely new, so this could be one of those rare years where offense carries the day in Manhattan.

RISING: Baylor
FALLING: Oklahoma State
BOWL TEAMS (7): West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State

BIG 12 PROJECTED STANDINGS
1 West Virginia (11-2, 7-2)
2 Oklahoma (10-3, 7-2)
3 Texas (9-3, 6-3)
4 TCU (8-4, 6-3)
5 Iowa State (7-5, 5-4)
6 Oklahoma State (7-5, 5-4)
7 Kansas State (6-6, 4-5)
8 Texas Tech (6-6, 3-6)
9 Baylor (5-7, 2-7)
10 Kansas (2-10, 0-9)
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP 
West Virginia over Oklahoma

ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Will Grier/West Virginia
RB Rodney Anderson/Oklahoma
RB David Montgomery/Iowa State
WR David Sills V/West Virginia
WR Marquise Brown/Oklahoma
WR Jalen Reagor/TCU
TE Chase Allen/Iowa State
OT Dalton Risner/Kansas State
OT Yodny Cajuste/West Virginia
OG Ben Powers/Oklahoma
OG Marcus Keyes/Oklahoma State
 C   Zach Shackleford/Texas
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DE Ben Banogu/TCU
DE Jordan Brailford/Oklahoma State
DT Daniel Wise/Kansas
DT Ira Lewis/Baylor
LB David Long/West Virginia
LB Dakota Allen/Texas Tech
LB Joe Dineen/Kansas
LB Gary Johnson/Texas
CB Brian Peavy/Iowa State
CB Kris Boyd/Texas
 S   Dravon Henry-Askew/West Virginia
 S   Jah'Shawn Johnson/Texas Tech
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
 K  Austin Seibert/Oklahoma
 P   Billy Kinney/West Virginia
KR KaVontae Turpin/TCU
PR  CeeDee Lamb/Oklahoma

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB Kyler Murray/Oklahoma
RB Justice Hill/Oklahoma State
RB Darius Anderson/TCU
WR CeeDee Lamb/Oklahoma
WR Gary Jennings/West Virginia
WR Collin Johnson/Texas
TE Grant Calcaterra/Oklahoma
OT Bobby Evans/Oklahoma
OT Anthony McKinney/TCU
OG Dru Samia/Oklahoma
OG Patrick Vahe/Texas
 C   Sam Tecklenburg/Baylor
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DE Breckyn Hager/Texas
DE Reggie Walker/Kansas State
DT Ross Blacklock/TCU
DT Marquise Overton/Oklahoma
LB Ty Summers/TCU
LB Kenneth Murray/Oklahoma
LB Marcel Spears/Iowa State
LB Caleb Kelly/Oklahoma
CB Duke Shelley/Kansas State
CB Grayland Arnold/Baylor
 S   Niko Small/TCU
 S   Denzel Goolsby/Kansas State
SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
 K  Gabriel Rui/Kansas
 P   Zach Sinor/Oklahoma State
KR Marcus Simms/West Virginia
PR  Steven Sims/Kansas

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Will Grier/West Virginia
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ben Banogu/TCU
COACH OF THE YEAR: Dana Holgorsen/West Virginia
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: DB Brendan Radley-Hiles/Oklahoma

Mountaineers Bring High Octane Offense To TCU

TCU's defense has been the best in the Big 12 in 2017, but it will be tested by West Virginia this Saturday (USA Today)

TCU has shone brightly on the national stage already this season, so having ESPN GameDay on hand for a showdown with No. 23 West Virginia shouldn't faze the Horned Frogs one bit.

Gary Patterson's bunch, ranked eighth in the nation, has already taken down Oklahoma State in Stillwater a couple of weeks back, firmly entrenching TCU as a legitimate contender for the Big 12 crown. West Virginia comes to town sporting the highest scoring offense in the conference -- 48.8 points per game, second highest nationally -- while TCU has allows just 18.5 points per game, second best in the league.

"It's just another Big 12 ballgame -- you better pull up your pants and get ready to go," Patterson said of the contest, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m Saturday at Amon Carter Stadium. TCU is 50-14 at home the last 10 years, but five of those losses came in last year's forgettable 6-7 campaign.

TCU was blown out last year by the Mountaineers 34-10, but acted in kind the last time the teams played in Fort Worth, winning 40-10 in 2015. The three previous contests had two one point decisions and an overtime game won by three points. So these things can get tense.

The Mountaineers (3-1, 1-0) know they are the underdogs, and have nothing but praise for the Horned Frogs.

"I really think they're deserving of their Top-10 ranking, no question," Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen said."When you go into Arkansas and win the way they did, and go into Stillwater and win the way they did, yeah, that's a good football team. It's hard to go anywhere on the road and win in the Big 12."

Both teams have exceeded preseason expectations, and each keeps opponents on watch with balanced offenses. TCU averages 232.3 yards per game rushing, West Virginia 231 -- the top two figures in the conference. The Mountaineers throw the ball a bit better, and more often, and junior quarterback Will Grier leads the nation in passing yards on downfield throws (over 20 yards), with 649. So TCU's pass defense will be tested.
 
"You've got to find a way to slow them down," Patterson said. "You don't necessarily ever stop them.

"You can't allow the big play and you have to stop the run -- Grier runs around really well also, that that also dictates coverage and everything else that you do."

Grier has thrown 13 touchdowns to just three interceptions, and has what may be the best trio of receivers in the Big 12. Gary Jennings (29 catches, 438 yards), David Sills V (26-396-7 TD) and Marcus Simms (23.4 yards per catch on nine grabs) are a secondary's nightmare, which means TCU may need to get pressure up front to throw WVU off of its game. The problem with that is that Grier can scramble and throw on the run, and the offensive line has allowed just five sacks this season.

Travin Howard is the top defender for TCU, making 26 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Safety Nick Orr can create havoc in the secondary, amassing 22 stops and two tackles for loss.

TCU is excellent against the run (94.8 yards), but West Virginia will test with running back Justin Crawford, who averages 7.4 yards per pop and has six touchdowns.

Will Grier has brought stability to WVU's passing attack (Charlotte Observer)

Holgorsen knows what to expect defensively from TCU, so it's merely a matter of executing against it.

"They've been doing the same thing defensively for 20 years and it doesn't look any different now than it has back when they were really good a decade ago," he said. "That's (Patterson's) stamp on the program and his stamp on college football. They have a lot of guys on his staff that speak the same language that he does, so I have a ton of respect with what they're doing.

"They're deep; their front is always good. They rarely have to out-number you in the box, which is a different type situation than what we're usually used to. They just do a really good job of just coaching their guys up with technique and them playing with high motors and doing a great job of getting off blocks. They're as sure of tacklers as we're going to see out there. And their coverages, they read routes better than anybody. They're going to know exactly what positions they're going to have to be in and they're rarely out of position."

TCU (4-0, 1-0) is no slouch offensively, especially since quarterback Kenny Hill has found his groove in his final season of college football.

The former Texas A&M star is completing nearly 73 percent of his passes, and has nine TDs to just three interceptions. He isn't afraid to push the ball down the field, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt, and has the talented KaVontae Turpin as his favorite weapon. Turpin -- also a dangerous kick returner -- has 14 catches and averages nearly 10 yards per grab, and is money on third down. Jalen Reagor is a big play threat, averaging 16.8 yards per catch.

West Virginia employs a 3-3-5 scheme, with the defensive backs asked to do a lot of heavy lifting. That's why four of the top five tacklers reside in the secondary, including spur Kyzir White, who has 19 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Middle linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton has been solid, with 36 tackles and six tackles for loss.

The game could come to down West Virginia's ability to stop the run, something it hasn't been very good at in 2017.

The Mountaineers allow 226 yards per game on the ground, a figure that ranks 115th nationally. That has to make Darius Anderson's eyes light up, as he may see more daylight in this game than any this season. Anderson averages over 105 yards per game rushing and has six trips to the end zone. Holgorsen knows the importance of slowing him down, and that his team will need to have better run fits on Saturday if it wants to win.

"It ain't scheme because we've been pretty good against the run these past two years," Holgorsen said. "We've got to do a better job up front of holding gaps. So you didn't see me sweat about it. We need guys to step up and be real dudes."

TCU's win over Oklahoma State brought prominence and spotlight, but Patterson realizes that he can't allow the team to believe that victory was the high point of the season. There is a lot of football yet to be played, and its his job to keep his players on task.

"You can't get too high for one ballgame and then win one, lose five," Patterson said.

The similarities with the programs are many -- they were the last two to join the Big 12, they both have transfer quarterbacks making good on senior seasons, and they both have offenses that can put a ton of points on the scoreboard.

Holgorsen sees a few others, as well.

"I just think if you look at the similarities in the two programs, it builds a lot of interest in this game," he said. "Winning as many games as both West Virginia did and TCU did in their respective conferences prior to the Big 12, both won a ton of games in Group of Five conferences and were always in the BCS discussion and all that good stuff. It's just neat playing this game based on the fact of what the past was and then going into the Big 12 at the same time.

"You've seen both programs go through the process of building their teams pretty similar, I think, as far as some early struggles with some big wins to building some depth to the point where I think both teams are pretty good football teams at this point."

Hokies And Mountaineers Renew Intense Rivalry

 With only 60 miles separating Virginia Tech from the West Virginia border, it's easy to understand the animosity between the Hokies and Mountaineers. There isn't a single player on the Tech roster from West Virginia, and that's by design -- Mountaineers will tell you that they don't much care for the Hokies, and they are stoked to be playing Tech this Sunday, the first time the teams meet since 2005.

 The series was one of the most intense in all of college football, played every year from 1973 to that last game in 2005. It was filled with enmity from the fan bases, especially in Morgantown -- to the point where Tech coach Frank Beamer instructed his players to not take off their helmets on the sidelines, as they might be hit by something flying out of the stands.

 The Hokies had tipped the scales of the series mightily in recent years, winning nine of the last 12 contests, including five of the last six in Blacksburg. This will be a neutral site game, featuring players who were in grade school the last time the teams played.

WVU coach Dana Holgorsen knows his team will be tested (The Smoking Musket)

So the intensity might be dulled a bit, at least on the field. There will be nerves and emotions, but not unbridled hatred.

"As far as the emotions, that's is going to flow naturally," Mountaineers linebacker Xavier Preston said. "You just have to be able to know where you are at and at the same time stay focused on the game. There are going to be a lot of emotions. I think we are capable of handling it."

 Virginia Tech comes into the game ranked 21st, while WVU is one spot behind. The teams haven't played a neutral field since 1962, when they faced off in Richmond, and the coaches are more concerned about getting off to a winning start rather than any sort of deep-seated rivalry stuff. Neither Tech coach Justin Fuente nor WVU boss Dana Holgorsen were around the last time the teams played.

 "You've got a little bit of everything going on in your head," Fuente said. "When you kick it off to start the season on a fantastic stage, against a great opponent, you can't help but feel all of those emotions as the ball kicks off."

 Holgorsen, who has ceded play calling duties this to first year coordinator Jake Spavital, last of Cal Berkeley. Spavital likes the spread and fast tempo that so many teams play, and with Florida transfer Will Grier at quarterback, it will be interesting to see just how smoothly the offense runs.

 "There are some question marks when you have a new quarterback, which we both fall into the same boat when it comes to that, and when you switch coordinators," Holgorsen said. "There's always a level of uncertainty going into year one. Probably this year more than the last couple of years with us, there's probably a higher level of uncertainty."

 Virginia Tech will lean on redshirt freshman Josh Jackson to handle the quarterback chores, and Fuente has praised his work ethic and abilities throughout fall camp. Jackson is, like much of the team, untested -- Tech has 11 redshirt or true freshmen on the two deep, which could provide Fuente some anxious moments.

 "I certainly think you feel better when you have guys that have been out there," he said. "But they all said they wanted to play when we were recruiting them, so here's the opportunity. That's what I tell them, too -- 'I sat in your living room and you told me you wanted to play.' So, it's not good enough at Virginia Tech just to play, but play well. There will be some young guys out there for the first time, but hopefully we've done a great job training them and they will be ready to contribute."

 Two experienced players are also two of Tech's beset -- running back Travon McMillan (671 yards last year) and receiver Cam Phillips (76 catches, five TDs). Rest assured Jackson will look to both often, if only to settle his nerves.

 Grier won't have to win it by himself for the Mountaineers, as running back Justin Crawford -- the Big 12's leading returning rusher (you can win a bar bet with that tidbit) with 1,184 yards -- returns, and wideout Ka'Raun White, who amassed nearly 600 yards before injuring his leg late in the year.

 West Virginia's defense last year was the best its been in some time, allowing just 24 points per game, but only three starters return from that group. The best among them is Mike linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton, who netted 80 stops. The return of safety Dravon Askew-Henry, a preseason all-league pick last year before missing the season with a knee injury suffered in fall camp.

Virginia Tech boss Justin Fuente believes his young team is ready (TechSideline.com)

 The Hokies still have Bud Foster as the architect of the defense, and as long as he's around it almost doesn't matter who the players are. Foster has been one of the best in his field for years, placing Tech first in America in sacks, interceptions, third down conversions and completion percentage since 1996. Foster has the pieces in place to be as ferocious as the 2014 unit, which allowed just 20.2 ppg and tallied 48 sacks. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds leads the way (106 tackles), and sophomore Trevon Hill is a burgeoning star, compiling 2.5 sacks in mostly reserve duty. The secondary is top-notch, featuring corner Greg Stroman and safety Terrell Edmunds, and will force Grier to be mighty near perfect.

 Having the stage to themselves, on a Sunday evening, will be a thrill for both teams, and facing a ranked opponent right out of the box makes for a special kind of atmosphere.

 "Getting the rivalry started back up, we're all excited about that," Holgorsen said. "We've opened with good teams pretty regularly here. We opened with Alabama in Atlanta; last year we opened with Missouri and a neutral site game versus BYU, which was a big game; we open up with Tennessee next year and Florida State a few years from now. I'm a big fan of it. Having this one right out of the gate is good; I think everybody gets excited about their first game.

 "I have no problems with the first game that's a neutral site that's a "big game." That's fine with me."

 The winner of the contest will receive the Black Diamond Trophy, symbolic of the coal industry's rich history in both states.

WHAT
No. 21 Virginia Tech vs. No. 22 West Virginia
WHEN AND WHERE
Sept. 3rd, 8 pm, FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
WHO TO WATCH
VIRGINIA TECH -- How amped up will Jackson be at quarterback? He will need to find himself quickly if the Tech offense is going to operate with precision. This is not uncharted territory, as Jerod Evans was making his first collegiate start in Tech's 2016 opener. A veteran offensive line should ease Jackson's transition, and having McMillan and speedy Steven Peoples in the backfield should calm him down. The defense was down by Virginia Tech standards last year, with a lack of turnovers and a surprising inconsistency against the run (five opponents were better than 5.0 ypc). Seven starters back means another year of understanding the defense, which should be a boost.
WEST VIRGINIA -- Grier hasn't played in nearly two years, missing the last part of the 2015 campaign at Florida, then getting popped for PEDs and leaving school. He has, by all accounts, blended in nicely, and White and converted quarterback David Sills are two of a deep and experienced receiving corps. The real star is Crawford, who doesn't get the headlines he deserves despite averaging 7.3 ypc. He keeps defenses honest and is a home run threat. How the defense will fare is anyone's guess, as only the linebackers return. Askew-Henry being healthy is a plus, and Syracuse transfer Corey Winfield (85 tackles, 8 pass break ups) will bring energy to a rebuilding secondary. OC Spavital also bears watching as Holgorsen is used to being the primary playcaller.
WHAT DECIDES THE OUTCOME
Whichever strength -- West Virginia's offense vs. Virginia Tech's defense -- holds the upper hand, that's the team that comes out ahead. West Virginia's defense faltered late in the season, and having one of the least experienced teams in FBS is a concern. Don't be surprised if DC Tony Gibson comes up with some wrinkles designed to throw Jackson off balance. For Tech, the ability to get to Grier is paramount as he has shown the ability to throw the football (nearly 66 percent completions at Florida). Crawford should get his, and the Mountaineers won't be afraid to test the Tech secondary deep with Gary Jennings and Marcus Simms. Special teams is always a Tech strength -- 30 scoring returns and 25 blocked kicks since 1987 -- and this year is no different. Kicker Joey Slye is clutch, and Stroman was among the best return men in the country before getting injured.