So here we are. What started as a marathon in August has been reduced to a sprint. Just four regular season games remain and West Virginia has positioned itself for its first Big 12 title.

 

Yes, the Mountaineers need some help. First they must get through a two game stretch against the biggest brands in the league. Texas and Oklahoma.

 

In September, this matchup against Texas seemed like it would be a no-brainer for WVU. The Longhorns were struggling, again. Charlie Strong was on the hot seat. Again. There were changes with his staff's responsibilities in the early season. Again.

 

It looked like business as usual for the Horns. Chaos and uncertainty about the future ruled the day.

 

But, things have stabilized in the last few weeks. Strong took over defensive play calling duties and that unit has played better as of late.

Nineteen sacks in the last four games. Fourteen turnovers in the last five games after forcing just one through the first four. A three-game losing streak (September 17 - October 8) has turned into a stretch that includes three wins in four games.

 

Texas is just 5-4 on the season, but has two wins over top 10 teams, Notre Dame and Baylor. Granted, neither of those teams are in the Top 10 now, but were at the time Texas played them.

 

The Longhorns have won four straight games against Top 12 opponents. They put that streak on the line Saturday when number 10 West Virginia comes to town.

 

Yes, Texas’ defense has improved lately, but some of that improvement may be because it had nowhere to go, but up. During the three game losing streak I mentioned earlier, Texas gave up 50, 49 and 45 points. 

 

The area Texas has not needed to improve … running the ball. Junior D’Onta Foreman has been lights out. He leads the nation in rushing yards at 180.8 yards per game. Foreman averages 7.0 yards per carry, better than any Longhorn that has come before him. 

 

You may remember Forman from last year. He piled up 147 yards, on 8.2 yards per carry, against West Virginia in Morgantown. West Virginia won the game 38-20, but Foreman showed he was a load to bring down.

 

Clearly, slowing him down will be a key today. Notice I didn’t say stopping him. Teams haven’t figured out how to do that in a very long time. Foreman has rushed for 100 or more yards in 10 consecutive games. That’s second in school history to a guy you may have heard of … Earl Campbell.

 

One way West Virginia can slow him down … score early and often. Think back to TCU. The Frogs were having success running the football on West Virginia, but after falling behind by two scores, they were forced to move away from the run and throw it more. Once they did, West Virginia was able to confuse and attack TCU quarterback, Kenny Hill.

 

If West Virginia jumps out to an early lead, look for WVU defensive coordinator, Tony Gibson to really try and do a number on Texas’ freshman quarterback, Shane Buechele. Buechele has been good early and the Horns are really high on him, but he’s still a freshman, facing the 3-3-5 for the first time.

 

If West Virginia is the Big 12 title contender it has shown itself to be so far, they will go into Austin and walk out with a win. 

 

Do that and can you imagine how big next week will be against Oklahoma? Two top 10 teams, a possible appearance by ESPN’s Gameday show and a chance for a winner-take-all game for the Big 12 title.*

 

*DISCLAIMER: I realize Oklahoma State would still need to lose and WVU would have to take care of business against Iowa State and Baylor. However, beat Texas and OU and I like West Virginia’s chances for a league title.

 

But, first things first. Handle your business in Austin. The sprint starts today against Texas.

 

What’s your score prediction? Leave me a comment below or send me a tweet @BradHowe07

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows a less than happy Texas Coach Charlie Strong, while Skyler Howard heads up field in WVU's  38-20  win last year in Morgantown. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.