Mountaineer Field only hosts one of the five games listed here. It’s a tough road for the Mountaineers ahead, but they at least get the Big 12’s favorite at home to round out the regular season. However, the main issue still lies with the fact that the Mountaineers cannot knock off the Sooners, or even stay competitive most of the time.
A quarterback power flip, after the departure of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, can help the West Virginia offense in a big way. Grier overshadows the groomed OU starting quarterback for 2018, the former Texas A&M Aggies transfer Kyler Murray. That at least rings true at the beginning of the regular season. A lot of things can change before Nov. 23.
As long as Grier stays healthy throughout the regular season, something he could not do in 2017, this game could determine who participates in the Big 12 Championship Game. That would be the biggest accomplishment during the tenure of West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen, even if he does not emerge victorious in the conference title game.
Next: 5 reasons Will Grier will win 2018 Heisman Trophy
It’s hard to imagine the Big 12 standings playing out this season without West Virginia at least having some say in the ultimate conference victor. OU is the top dog, winning the last three Big 12 Titles. This is the best chance that West Virginia had to win the Big 12, since joining the conference back in 2012.