– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – Big 12 – Mountaineers
Looking for 2017 West Virginia Mountaineers predictions? The Mountaineers won ten games in a season for the first time since 2011. However, this is the first time the Mountaineers have won ten games since joining the Big 12 Conference. Ready to bet on college football futures odds namely the Mountaineers CFB futures? Click for updated odds on today’s games plus grab a 50% bonus up to $3000 now at MyBookie.ag. Let’s break down and make a prediction on the 2017 West Virginia Mountaineers football team.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – West Virginia Mountaineers
- Head Coach: Dana Holgorsen
- 2016 Record: 10-3
- West Virginia Mountaineers Odds to win the 2017 Big 12 Championship: 10/1
- West Virginia Mountaineers Odds to win National Championship: +6600
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West Virginia will look to have a repeat of last year’s successful season, but it will be tough to accomplish. The Mountaineers are losing a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, they may have very well peaked last year.
2017 West Virginia Mountaineers Predictions: Team Strengths
Veteran Team…: The good news for the West Virginia Mountaineers is that this is a veteran team that is filled with talented upperclassmen. However, there is some bad news to that, as well, which we will get to later. But, first the good news.
This is a veteran team where there are a few players that played on last year’s double digit winning team. Such as senior halfback Justin Crawford who ran for nearly 1,200 yards last year.
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On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton will captain this team and look to repeat his performance of last season. Benton recorded 80 tackles, second on the team, forced a fumble, had an interception, and a sack.
2017 West Virginia Mountaineers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
…Inexperienced: As we talked about earlier this is a veteran team, but this is a team with upperclassmen that haven’t played extensively though – especially at key positions.
For example, seniors Mike Daniels and Elijah Battle are slated to be the starting cornerbacks. On the surface, that’s a fantastic boost for a defense to have two senior cornerbacks leading your defense in a pass heavy conference.
However, they lack experience in not only starting, but just out there playing ball. Daniels only played in one game last year. While Battle only played in a handful of games last year. For a defnse that like to blitz a lot their corners might be their achilles heel this year.
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Shaky Foundation: West Virginia lost some key pieces up front on both sides of the ball. All-American center Tyler Orlosky is gone.
On the defensive side of the ball Noble Nwachukwu, Darrien Howard, and Christian Brown are gone, as well. The Mountaineers are going to have to find a handful of players to replace the kind of production these three produced last year.
Nwachukwu had 4.0 sacks, Howard had 3.0 sacks, and Brown had 2.0 sacks. Considering the Mountaineers had 23 sacks they are going to have to replace about 40% of their sack production from last year. That won’t be easy.
West Virginia Mountaineers Prediction
8-4
One last note about the Mountaineers is at quarterback. This is a potential weakness or strength depending on if Florida transfer quarterback Will Grier will be eligible to play or not.
If he starts, that will give the Mountaineers a very strong replacement for Skyler Howard. If he isn’t eligible, then the Mountaineers are expected to turn to sophomore Chris Chugunov and the transition will not be as smooth.
The difference in quarterbacks is a good three games or so. Which could be the difference in an okay season and a very good to even great season
So, what is the expectation for the West Virginia Mountaineers? I would say eight wins is realistic with the upside of ten wins if you include the bowl game. It won’t be easy as most of their tough games will be on the road and their schedule is back loaded.
Four of their last five games are against Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas, and Oklahoma with the Kansas State and Oklahoma games coming on the road which, in my eyes, will be the top two teams in the conference.
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Also, their out-of-conference schedule isn’t completely full of cupcakes as it usually is. They’ll be tested right out of the gates against Virginia Tech on a neutral field.
That game will set the tone and if they win that game, then the Mountaineers have a strong chance of repeating what they did last season.
2017 West Virginia Mountaineers Football Schedule
- 9/3/17 7:30 PM ET @VT
- 9/9/17 TBD ECU
- 9/16/17 TBD DSU
- 9/23/17 TBD @KU
- 10/7/17 TBD @TCU
- 10/14/17 TBD TTU
- 10/21/17 TBD @BAY
- 10/28/17 TBD OKST
- 11/4/17 TBD ISU
- 11/11/17 TBD @KSU
- 11/18/17 TBD TEX
- 11/25/17 TBD @OKLA
What do you think about our 2017 West Virginia Mountaineers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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