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Big 12 Football: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 1 of 2017

By Andrew Miller

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Ames, Iowa. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 34-31. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Ames, Iowa. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 34-31. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 05: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers rushes for a 27 yard touchdown in the second half against Tyrone Miller Jr. #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the game on November 5, 2016 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV – NOVEMBER 05: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers rushes for a 27 yard touchdown in the second half against Tyrone Miller Jr. #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the game on November 5, 2016 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

West Virginia has the toughest Week 1 matchup of any Big 12 team. They take on a top 25 team in the Virginia Tech Hokies. Both teams break in new starting quarterbacks. Virginia Tech starts a redshirt freshman in Josh Jackson. The Mountaineers have Will Grier playing in his first action since 2015.

How long will it take Grier to adjust to the pace of Dana Holgorsen’s West Virginia offensive scheme? If he adjusts quickly then this team will be good. However, Virginia Tech, under head coach Justin Fuente, will compete for an ACC Championship. They made it all the way to a one possession game against the National Champion Clemson Tigers in the 2016 ACC title game.

Next: 3 guaranteed wins for West Virginia in 2017

This game is really a coin flip. Both teams are in the top 25. West Virginia is the current favorite but that could flip before Saturday. The running back battle could decide this game. WVU’s Justin Crawford and VA Tech’s Travon McMillian are hugely important pieces to their respective offenses.

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