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Big 12 Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 15, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Texa Longhorns head football coach Tom Herman signals during a post game review during the Texas orange-white spring game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Texa Longhorns head football coach Tom Herman signals during a post game review during the Texas orange-white spring game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen (center) looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Camping World Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen (center) looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Camping World Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

2. West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 3

The West Virginia Mountaineers have a chance to get an early marquee victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies to open the season. However, the task won’t be easy by any means.

The Mountaineers return just eight total starters (five offense, three defense) in 2017. Head coach Dana Holgorsen has some rebuilding to do while the Hokies return seven starters on defense.

Coming off his second 10-win season as West Virginia’s head coach, Holgorsen still comes up short when it comes to facing the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12. A date with the Hokies could change the team’s fortune this season.

The offense returns some valuable assets at receiver returning (Shelton Gibson and Ka’Raun White) as well as an 1,000-yard rusher in running back Justin Crawford. The quarterback position is still up in the air entering the fall, but former Florida quarterback Will Grier could be the answer.

Either way, the Mountaineers and Hokies should be a battle as the team’s used to meet annually to play for the Black Diamond Trophy as recently as the 2005 season. The Mountaineers have won three of the last 10 meetings.

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