West Virginia Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

West Virginia football enters 2018 with one of the best passing attacks in the country. But will it be enough for a shot at the Big 12 title?

Despite having a top 20 offense in 2017, the West Virginia Mountaineers finished the season only a game above .500 and tied for fourth in the Big 12 Conference. But after their down year, the Mountaineers should be back among the top teams of their conference.

The biggest x-factor in their return atop the conference and their run to the College Football Playoff is quarterback Will Grier. In his first year as signal caller, Grier threw for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns (eighth in the nation), leading the way of that high-power offense.

Their biggest concern on their road to redemption is their defense. The Mountaineers had one of the nation’s worst defenses in 2017, allowing over 450 yards a game.

If West Virginia wants to not only compete for a Big 12 championship, but a spot in the playoff, an improvement on its defense is needed — and for 2018, it might just get that. Combining its experience and the fact it landed some big-time transfers, the Mountaineers’ defense should be able to make some key plays late in games to support their offense.

With alternating home and away throughout the season and scheduling two quality non-conference games, the Mountaineers’ schedule isn’t tough, but it won’t be easy.

Let’s take a look at what we could see from the Mountaineers in 2018.