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West Virginia Football: 5 bold predictions for 2017

By Matthew Bartlett

MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: Marvin Gross #18 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs up field after intercepting a pass by Zach Smith #4 of the Baylor Bears in the first quarter during the game at Mountaineer Field on December 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: Marvin Gross #18 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs up field after intercepting a pass by Zach Smith #4 of the Baylor Bears in the first quarter during the game at Mountaineer Field on December 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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West Virginia football enters 2017 as one of five ranked teams in the Big 12. For better or worse, here are five bold predictions for the Mountaineers.

Read Also: 2017 West Virginia football game-by-game predictions

The Mountaineers could be one of the least discussed teams in the preseason polls. They might not be a blue blood program like some of their conference foes, but West Virginia has the pieces to force their way into the national discussion in this season.

West Virginia has a brand new quarterback and a host of talented players on both sides of the ball. Will it be enough to contender for a Big 12 title? Possibly. Here are five bold predictions for the Mountaineers in 2017

5. WVU has the No. 1 scoring defense in the Big 12

In a league that is well publicized for its offense, the Mountaineers were one of very few noteworthy defenses a year ago. They finished as the No. 35 scoring defense in the country and surrendered just 24 points per game on average. That sounds good, but it’s even better when you consider the high-powered offenses they had to face.

The WVU defense held their own against teams like Oklahoma (No. 3 scoring offense in the country), Texas Tech (No. 5), Oklahoma State (No. 17) and Baylor (No. 35). Those four schools averaged 33.5 points against the Moutaineers compared to 40.2 points for the season.

West Virginia finished 2016 as the No. 2 ranked scoring defense in the Big 12, just a step behind Kansas State. This year they’ll take the leap and earn the title of being the best defense in the Big 12.

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