MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Dana Holgorsen has a new contract, a fantastic new quarterback, and an upgraded stadium in the final stage of remodeling. What his West Virginia program doesn’t have is much love from the Big 12 media.
The Mountaineers were picked sixth in Thursday’s preseason poll, the fifth consecutive year they have been projected among the bottom half. (Votes were tabulated from 32 print and digital journalists who cover the league, including yours truly, who had WVU one notch higher on my ballot.)
Oklahoma received 19 first-place votes, while projected runner-up Oklahoma State received 12. One voter picked K-State to win the crown.
As today’s Gold & Blue Lunch Report compares the overall poll against my own ballot, recall this historical tidbit: The Mountaineers have outperformed their projections for three consecutive seasons.
WVU media picks vs. actual finish
2016: WVU finished 3rd (projected 7th)
2015: WVU finished 5th (projected 6th)
2014: WVU finished 6th (projected 8th)
2013: WVU finished 8th (projected 8th)
2012: WVU finished 7th (projected 2nd)