Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

Edited and bumped as we invited The Smoking Musket over to play.

- S.R.

___________________________

West Virginia has vaulted into many minds as a frontrunner for the Big XII in their first year. The media voted them #2 preseason Big XII. Further, the Media voted Geno Smith 'most likely to replace RGIII as BMOC"

Given their struggles last year, as well as key losses, I would not be surprised if they finished 5th or worse in the Big XII.

Take a gander at last years schedule for WVU.

While Texas was arguably better than their record reflected last year. Having suffered key injuries to all our RB's and losing several close games, WVU squeaked by some rather poor teams. They squeezed by Maryland, Cincy, Pitt, and South Florida. Maryland went 2-10 last year. Pitt went 6-7. South Florida went 5-7. Let's not pretend that their only struggles were against juggernauts like LSU.

Further, they somehow lost to a 5-7 Syracuse team and a 7-6 Louisville team.

West Virginia was just plain AVERAGE last year. That my friends is a 7-6 or 8-5 BIG XII record last year.

Last year, WVU was 61st in overall defense. They lose several key pieces off of last year's team. Pass rushing pieces. That's not where you want to be weak in the Big XII.

Yes their offense will be stout. They were 13th nationally last year, and return nine starters on O. But the two missing starters are off the O-line.

Think Baylor in 2010. Geno Smith is VERY good. But with a defense that is overhauling itself with a new d-coordinator and scheme. Good luck in the Big XII. I see a 8-4 or 7-5 year. Finishing 2nd in the BIG XII is a pipe dream.

I'm not buying the hype.