Big 12 Underrated Teams

I can care less about the analysts' and people's opinions. The Big 12 is entertaining to watch. For me who loves smashmouth, grind, run-first pass-second football, I also love me some speed. Since the conference championship returned, the competition suddenly tightened up. Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma State are like: Omg! Will Grier is making West Virginia's offense lethal, TCU is getting defensive and that offends some offenses, and where the heck did Iowa State come from?

This season could be about the same. Everyone can talk about how Oklahoma (Baker Mayfield), Oklahoma State (Mason Rudolph), and TCU (Kenny Hill) are searching for new quarterbacks, but they have other ways to meet their standards this season (the run game and plenty of skilled players). Texas hopes to have A quarterback figured out. Kansas State may creep up on some teams to shatter the title hopes. Baylor hopes to bounce back this season, but all they can do is HOPE. Texas Tech has...defense????? Kansas...I'm not getting into that after what I saw:

But forget about last season. This year should be as interesting but completely different without #6 running the show. I chose West Virginia because their offense is Big 12 lethal and Texas because their defense could be the difference and in their win/loss ratio.

WEST VIRGINIA

This was a tough pick because of Will Grier’s injury. But he should be ready by Fall. Nonetheless, I picked them because of Will Grier, West Virginia’s receiving core, RB Kennedy McKoy being the next leading rusher, and West Virginia’s defensive improvement led by LB David Long. Their first game against Tennessee will be their first test. Then comes NC State before going into the conference. Their last 6 games will show whether West Virginia deserves a conference championship appearance, including 3 of 4 games against teams that represent the Big 12 (Texas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma). They have yet to defeat Oklahoma since joining the Big 12 (which stands between them and possibly a conference title bid), let alone beat Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas all in one season. West Virginia should take a step forward and challenge for their first conference championship appearance since joining the Big 12.

TEXAS

Texas are showing signs of being well…TEXAS (not a good thing to hear for me as a Sooner fan). However, they did lose about half of their starting roster, including Malik Jefferson and Connor Williams. They have enough players to make a second attempt at a conference title bid. They have talented receivers, a good run game, and depth at offensive line after losing some to injuries last season. Despite the loss of Jefferson, the defense should be more improved and faster too. Coach Tom Herman has them conditioned to keep up in the Big 12. With Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and TCU losing their QBs, Texas has an opportunity to get to their first conference championship since 2009. This would end Oklahoma’s reign 3 straight conference championships (again, not a thing I want to hear as a Sooner fan). The only question, who’s their legitimate starter?