West Virginia Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
By Phil Poling
Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs finished 6-7 (4-5 in Big 12 play) a year ago after winning 23 games between 2014 and 2015. They also took a beating from the Mountaineers in 2016, losing by 24 points. It was after that game that some pundits came around to believing in WVU as a legitimate playoff contender.
Senior quarterback Kenny Hill is the projected starter again, but the Texas A&M transfer has been a model of inconsistency since putting on the Horned Frog’s jersey. Surrounding Hill is a group of experienced players on both sides of the ball, though.
Kyle Hicks is one of the top running backs in the Big 12, returning after last season’s 1,042-yard, 12-touchdown campaign. The front five on offense is a seasoned unit too, starting four seniors and a sophomore with 12 games under his belt.
More: TCU Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
The Horned Frog’s have a pair of tackling machines in their linebacking corps. Travin Howard’s totaled 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons, including a Big 12-leading 130 a year ago. Junior Ty Summers was second in the conference — and on TCU — with 121 tackles. This all happened with the best defensive line Patterson’s had while at TCU, a group that tallied 43 sacks. The core of that group is gone, so expect the production of the linebackers to suffer in the early part of the season.
With a bye week sandwiched between their first two Big 12 games, the Mountaineers have a chance to regroup, get healthy and get their minds right before gearing up for an enduring 2017 campaign. In a game as tough as their head coach, the Horned Frog’s can’t quite close the door on the ‘Eers at home. Tony Gibson’s unit holds on long enough for Will Grier to work his magic and get the win in a hostile environment. If WVU keeps this run going, College Gameday could make a return to Morgantown.