Texas Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The West Virginia Mountaineers and Texas Longhorns met last season in a decisive Big 12 matchup. This year’s meeting could have championship implications once again.

The Mountaineers still haven’t won a Big 12 title dating back to the 2012 season. They were close last season, going 7-2 in conference play and finishing 10-3 overall. They lost to eventual champion, Oklahoma, who went undefeated in the Big 12 in 2016.

West Virginia could push the envelope this season with former Florida Gators quarterback Will Grier running the show. Grier had 1,204 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns and just three interceptions in 2015 before being suspended by the NCAA for taking a banned supplement.

He’ll look to reboot his career with the Mountaineers and be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. Running back Justin Crawford will be a reliable option for Grier out of the backfield.

Crawford rushed for 1,184 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in 2016. However, there’s plenty to replace on both sides of the ball from last year’s squad. The team returns just seven total starters (four on offense, three on defense).

The odds certainly favor the Texas Longhorns in the chemistry department. With a potential Big 12 title on the line, they will certainly look for the road victory. The Longhorns should eek out a close one here.

Final: West Virginia 21, Texas 27 (9-2, 7-1 Big 12)