Big 12 team previews: West Virginia dependent on experienced offensive line, rushing attack

“Definitely do not agree with that.”

Braden Bush Sport Editor

Over the next few weeks, The O’Colly sports staff will release its Big 12 preseason rankings in the form of team previews. First are the West Virginia Mountaineers, which our writers picked to finish 14th.

Neal Brown didn’t mince words when talking about the outside opinion of his Mountaineer football team.

West Virginia, who went 5-7 in 2022, was picked to finish last in the Big 12 in the preseason media poll. And Brown, WVU’s coach, doesn’t like it.

“Upset about the media poll,” said Brown, in his opening statement at Big 12 Media Days without being asked about the poll.

On a positive note for the Mountaineers, their season is up to them. West Virginia’s biggest strength comes at offensive line, where it returns 132 starts, including four former freshmen AllAmericans and two-time AllAmerican Zach Frazier.

“We’re getting so close within that O-line room that we can talk to each other how we want,” said Doug Nester, WVU’s starting right tackle. “We’re literally just like a bunch of brothers.”

The group is so experienced that they’re comfortable calling each other out and holding each other accountable if they see someone doing a wrong technique or missing an assignment. And just like Brown, the offensive line has seen the Big 12 projections, and they don’t want to prove it right.

“We’re hearing it a lot,” Nester said. “From strength coaches to coaches alike, using it as motivation right now during our workouts. It’s a pretty good thing to do.”

With a stout offensive line, the running game becomes a natural fit for the Mountaineers. West Virginia returns running back CJ Donaldson, who was the second-leading rusher on the team last year with more than 500 rushing yards and a teamhigh eight rushing touchdowns. He averaged 6 yards a rush on 87 carries.

But Brown also wants to put more emphasis on the deep threat. Garrett Greene is set to take over at quarterback this season after finishing the final three games of last season in place of JT Daniels. Greene led the Mountaineers to victories against both Oklahoma schools, but he combined for only 186 passing yards in the two games, along with a 55% completion rate. His run threat it dangerous, though. Greene nearly rushed for more yards (166) in games against OSU and OU than he threw for.

The Mountaineers lost much of their receiving, though. Greene’s top returning receiver is Cortez Brahm, who had 147 receiving yards in 2022. Sixth-year senior Devin Carter, an NC State transfer, brings a little more depth to receiver. On defense, the Mountaineers struggled last year to force turnovers and prevent big plays. They intercepted only four passes all season – last in the conference – and were seventh with just 26 sacks.

“That’s something I really have to work on this season,” said defensive end Sean Martin. “We have to get back there (and get more sacks) this season. We have to.”

As far as big plays, WVU was last in pass defense in the conference, allowing 8.2 yards a completion, and it ranked last in defensive efficiency. With the loss of defensive tackle Dante Stills, who led the team in sacks (4.5) and forced fumbles (2), Martin and others on the defense must step up. Junior safety Aubrey

Burks said they’ve simplified the defense and increased communication to play faster on defense.

“You’re going to give up some (big plays), especially in the league that we play in, but we have to limit those explosive plays, and then we’ve got to be able to create takeaways,” Burks said. “The explosive plays and the lack of takeaways last year were the biggest negative effect on us defensively.”

The Mountaineers haven’t won more than six games since 2018. Each season since has been with Brown at the helm. Still, Brown said this team is improved, and he isn’t buying that his team will finish last.

“Looking forward to proving everybody wrong on that front,” Brown said. “We won’t finish there.” sports.ed@ocolly.com