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Oklahoma football: How Big 12 race will shake out in 2022

By Chip Rouse

Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Sam James (13) scores a touchdown and celebrates with West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. (1) during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Sam James (13) scores a touchdown and celebrates with West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. (1) during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6 — West Virginia Mountaineers (5-7 overall, 4-5 in Big 12)

The schedule does not set up favorably for a head coach who could be on the hot seat in 2022. The Mountaineers are 17-18 in three years under Neal Brown. West Virginia opens the season in a Back Yard Brawl rivalry at Pittsburgh and also must face Virginia Tech in the nonconference part of the schedule. The Mountaineers also have a road date at Texas and end the regular season at Oklahoma State.

JT Daniels has transferred from Georgia and is expected to be the new starting quarterback, but West Virginia must replace its leading rusher, Leddie Brown, and top receiving target Winston Wright Jr. The offensive and defensive lines appear to be a strength once again in the coming season, but the defensive backfield will be all new faces, which can be a big problem with the high-octane passing attacks that exist in the Big 12.

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