{"id":3066,"date":"2016-08-25T21:32:06","date_gmt":"2016-08-26T02:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=3066"},"modified":"2017-07-08T13:01:24","modified_gmt":"2017-07-08T18:01:24","slug":"big-twelve-preview-texas-and-west-virginia-in-must-win-situation-in-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=3066","title":{"rendered":"BIG TWELVE PREVIEW: Texas and West Virginia in Must Win Situation in 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Texas Longhorns<\/span> under\u00a0Charlie Strong (3rd year, 11-14), and the Mountaineers of West Virginia<\/span> coached by\u00a0Dana Holgorsen (6th year, 36-28) are facing the same predicament in the upcoming football season. Win big or see you later head coach.\u00a0 It is now serious business in both Austin and Morgantown and both these leaders of programs that supporters expect more than what they have been getting lately are on the proverbial hot seat.\u00a0 From looking at it in the late weeks before the kickoff of the new campaign, don\u2019t expect these two to make it to 2017 in the same job.\u00a0 Texas has just too much to overcome with a schedule that will pile up loss after loss and West Virginia is in no better a situation with a defense that won\u2019t give their coach a winning record in conference games.\u00a0 It will be a long season for Horn and Mountain men.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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TEXAS LONGHORNS<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

HEAD COACH:\u00a0 CHARLIE STRONG\u00a0\u00a0 (3rd Year,\u00a011-14)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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This is a make or break year for Charlie Strong.\u00a0\u00a0It will be a season of discontent in Austin.\u00a0 It could be as bad as an four win and eight loss\u00a0season.\u00a0\u00a0A coaching change early is possible with\u00a0first half of the season\u00a0losses to Notre Dame, California, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, and Kansas State are all losable games in the balance of the year.\u00a0 Nothing will be easy for Texas. Even with some success, can Strong survive a seven or eight win season?\u00a0 Maybe, maybe not.<\/h4>\n

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\"Charlie-Strong-Longhorns_1388959402512_5055663_ver1.0_640_480-610x400\"<\/a>
Texas Head Coach Charlie Strong Photo: http:\/\/themajors.net\/?p=10654<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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When you start a freshman quarterback you are playing with fire.\u00a0 Texas will be playing with a bonfire in game one in Austin against the Irish of Notre Dame Shane Buchele will get the\u00a0start with veteran quarterback Tryone Swoopes\u00a0ready to mop up if needed. \u00a0Yes, it is a home game and a payback one also.\u00a0 Texas remembers the 38-0 pasting last year in South Bend.\u00a0 But you can think all you want that the Horns will win with a rookie taking his first snaps in a big time ball game against a big time opponent.\u00a0 Add the fact that\u00a0the Horns will run a new offense put in by former Tulsa offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert\u00a0(a\u00a0Art Briles disciple to boot), Texas is not my pick in this one.<\/h4>\n

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\"920x920\"<\/a>
Freshman Texas Quarterback Shane Buchele Photo: Eric Gay, STF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Offense:\u00a0 An average offensive line will be good enough for Texas to run the ball on many people.\u00a0 But can they adjust to a quick fire passing game with a rookie quarterback?\u00a0 Mistakes will happen and against better teams Texas will suffer. UT will go into many games with an inferior offense to their opponents.\u00a0 Ranking the offense it is inferior to everyone but\u00a0Kansas, Iowa State and Kansas State in the league.\u00a0 This Texas\u00a0offense is not in the class of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, West Virginia, and Texas Tech.\u00a0 Offense Grade: C<\/h4>\n

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\"b6159e615fcf2d3a7376c1b3426d71c84dd44819\"<\/a>
Milek Jefferson, Texas middle linebacker Photo: Austin-American Statesman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Defense:\u00a0 Giving up over 450 yards a game last year Texas is not the defensive team that Coach Strong envisions.\u00a0 Can they improve enough to give them an advantage when they face high the high powered offenses of the Big Twelve?\u00a0 Probably not. OU, OSU, Tech, TCU, Baylor and West Virginia will score plenty. UT does have some bright spots on defense with future All-American Malik Jefferson (Big Twelve Defensive Freshman of the Year) holding down the middle linebacker spot.\u00a0 At 6\u20193, 240, this future NFL player is the real deal.\u00a0 He will get his money\u2019s worth this year.\u00a0 There are other strong and athletic players on the defense for Texas, but in the end, they will still get torched often this year. Defense Grade: B-<\/h4>\n

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Special Teams:\u00a0 No All League players here\u00a0 Grade: C<\/h4>\n

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Texas can win more than they lose but it has to start at home against the Irish. That game is key and could set the tone for the season.\u00a0 Lose that game and you are looking down the\u00a0 barrel of a bad start. It won\u2019t be easy to beat California or Oklahoma State on the road, and OU will be ready to lay a big score on the Horns in the Cotton Bowl.<\/h4>\n

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Games Texas will win:\u00a0 UTEP, Iowa State, Kansas<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Toss up games:\u00a0 Notre Dame, California, Kansas State, West Virginia, Texas Tech<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Games Texas will lose:\u00a0 Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Baylor<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Final Record:\u00a0 4-8\u00a0 Conference:\u00a0 3-6<\/span><\/h4>\n

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WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS<\/span><\/h2>\n

HEAD COACH:\u00a0 DANA HOLGORSEN\u00a0 (6TH YEAR 36-28)<\/span><\/h2>\n

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\"West<\/a>
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen questions a referee during the first half of their game with Maryland at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, Saturday, September 21, 2013. (Doug Kapustin\/MCT via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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You spell success in the Big Twelve by scoring a bunch of points, 40, 50, often times\u00a060 or more.\u00a0 West Virginia will score many points in 2016, but with a loss of most of their defense, the scoreboard will light up opposite the West Virginia side.\u00a0 That spells trouble for Coach Dana Holgorsen as another so so year could be the last for him in the Big Twelve. It won\u2019t be easy. West Virginia must finish with a winning conference record.<\/h4>\n

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Offense:\u00a0 Quarterback Skyler Howard will have plenty of opportunities to light it up.\u00a0\u00a0 Look for the offense to shine with senior running back Rushel Shell and some good pass catchers. The offensive line will be good.\u00a0 Offense Grade: A-<\/h4>\n

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\"r36525_2998x1771cc\"<\/a>
West Virginia Quarterback Skyler Howard Photo Credit: http:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/photos\/gallery\/_\/id\/14372840\/image\/22\/skyler-howard-top-30-photos-college-football-2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Defense:\u00a0 The secondary will be a complete re-build and that say West Virginia will do well to match last years effectiveness.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think they will. They signed 15 defenders in recruiting and some of them will be used.\u00a0 Nine went through spring ball.\u00a0 Defense Grade: D<\/h4>\n

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Special Teams:\u00a0 Josh Lambert is a difference maker with his field goals.\u00a0 In games where a field goal can win a game, West Virginia has a decided advantage.\u00a0 Special Teams Grade: A-<\/h4>\n

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\"ncf_a_lambert_sk_600\"<\/a>
Josh Lambert \u2013 West Virginia Kicker AP Photo\/Nick Wass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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This is a real make or break year for Dana Holgorsen.\u00a0\u00a0 Winning the non-conference games are important but what happens in conference is what will decide if he comes back.\u00a0 Eight home games is nice.<\/h4>\n

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Games West Virginia will win:\u00a0 Youngstown State, Kansas<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Toss up games:\u00a0 Missouri, BYU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State,\u00a0 Texas, Iowa State, Baylor<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Games West Virginia will lose:\u00a0 TCU, Oklahoma<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Final record:\u00a0 7-5\u00a0 Conference:\u00a0 4-5<\/span><\/h4>\n

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The Texas Longhorns under\u00a0Charlie Strong (3rd year, 11-14), and the Mountaineers of West Virginia coached…<\/p>\n

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