West Virginia Mountaineers: Big 12 preview
The West Virginia Mountaineers haven't been ranked in the Top 25 since 2018 (#20) or won more than 4 Big 12 games in a year since Neal Brown became the head coach in 2019. Their defense salvaged their season while the offense had an average of 413 yards per game and just 27 points. The run game was average in 2020 and the OL allowed way too many TFLs.
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They are also shifting All-Big 12 OG Zach Fraizer to center. RB Leddie Brown had 1,010 rushing yards and 9 TDs last year. QB Jarret Doege is a veteran player who's smart with the ball. WR Winston Wright was an All-Big 12 player and 6'3'' Bryce Ford-Wheaton can be a solid WR2.
The defense was #4 in the nation and #1 in the Big 12 in allowing 291 yards and 21 points per game. They also led the NCAA in passing yards allowed per game (160). The pass-rush needs to be improved and the defense overall needs to cut down on the penalties. Losing several secondary players will hurt them this year.
2021-2022 Big 12 Conference preview: West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia's strengths: Their defense is still strong despite losing several star players: Darius Stills, Tony Fields, and Tykee Smith. They are expecting six main players to return though. Super-senior S Alonzo Addae was 2nd on the team with 66 tackles and earned an All-Big 12 selection. 2019's lead tackler and hybrid Sean Mahone is also coming back this season.
Dante Stills led the team in tackles for loss (10.5) and had 3 sacks, even though his brother Dante was seen as the bigger star. LB Exree Loe is an experienced player who will manage the middle of the defense with Josh Chandler-Semedo.
West Virginia's weakness: West Virginia tied for the 2nd-most penalties in the Big 12 for 74.1 yards per game. The defense also allowed their opponents to convert on 39.3% 3rd downs, 4th-highest in Big 12. Four opponents had 45% or better conversion rates and the Mountaineer lost all four of those games.
West Virginia Mountaineers key players: Offense
QB: Jarret Doege - Doege started at Bowling Green and had 4,000+ passing yards, earning him the starter position at WVU. He's very cautious with the ball, almost too cautious. The team needs him to take more risks and be flashy on the field to have a dynamic offense.
RB: Leddie Brown - Brown took over the offense in 2020 with 1,010 rushing yards, 9 TDs, and 32 catches for 202 yards and 2 TDs. He'll be a workhorse who sees at least 20 carries a game.
West Virginia Mountanieers key players: Defense
DT: Dante Stills - His brother Darius was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders as a UDFA. Dante put up better stats than his brother, though. He's an all-around talented tackle who had 35 tackles, 2 sacks, and 10.5 TFL. There's no reason he shouldn't get All-Big 12 honors again.
S: Alonzo Addae - He will take over for Tykee Smith as a fifth-year player. He was second on the team with 66 total tackles and a consistent player who was named 2nd-Team All-Big 12 last year.
2021-2022 West Virginia Mountaineer Big 12 schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4, at Maryland
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs Long Island University
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, vs Virginia Tech
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, at Oklahoma
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, vs Texas Tech
Week 6: Saturday, October 9, at Baylor
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, at TCU
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, vs Iowa State
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, vs Oklahoma State
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, at Kansas State
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs Texas
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, at Kansas
2021-2022 West Virginia Mountaineers Big 12 predictions (6-6 overall, 4-5 Big 12)
The Mountaineers will match their win totals from 2020 and suffer a non-conference loss against Virginia Tech. They'll win over Texas Tech, Baylor, Kansas, and Kansas State. Neal Brown should be able to go 5-0 in bowl games, though. West Virginia will find themselves in the middle of the Big 12 again.
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