Ranking the Big 12 - #5 (by Chris Flanagan)

[HornSports Staff]

submitted Today, 02:02 PM in Texas Longhorns Football By Chris Flanagan
 
In anticipation of the 2015 football season, Horn Sports will rank all ten teams in the Big 12 based on the anticipated finish of each school.

10. Kansas Jayhawks
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
8. Iowa State Cyclones
7. Kansas State Wildcats
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys

#5 West Virginia Mountaineers

Location: Morgantown, WV

Stadium: Milan Puskar Stadium (capacity 60,000)
Returning starters: 22 (9 offense / 10 defense / 3 special teams)

2015 Recruiting class rankings:

35th nationally, 4th Big 12 (247Sports)

33rd nationally, 3rd Big 12 (Rivals)

Preview:

West Virginia is starting to grow roots in the Big 12 - after a tough transition to the conference, they now have the depth and talent to compete in a Power 5 conference.

A consensus top 35 recruiting class matched with 22 returning starters off a solid 2014 team has the Mountaineers planning to compete for a Big 12 title. At quarterback, Skyler Howard took over for Clint Trickett at the end of the year and impressed many people, including myself. If Howard can match his performance level from 2014, WVU will be one of the top offensive teams in the Big 12.

The problem, as with many spread offensive teams, is the defense. The Mountaineers were ranked in the bottom half of too many defensive categories for their offense to keep pace with the opposition. Coach Holgerson will claim the squad is making progress, but it has yet to be seen. If the defense is respectable this season, they could have a breakout year much like TCU in 2014.

I see the mountaineers finishing with 8 regular season victories.

Predicted record: 8-4 (5-4 Big 12)

 

[echeese]

Hmmm,

That puts TEXAS at either #4 or #3 with OU likely landing whichever spot we don't claim.

I like it though you are really down on KSU.   I think they are better than #7 but maybe not. . . .I may play too much faith in Snyder

Think you are spot on with the WVU write up, enjoy these.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

If Howard is better than good, WVU has the schedule to win 10 games and be a serious thorn in the side of the Big 12.