A Little Know-Howe: With 2016 WVU Season in the Books, Answers to Preseason Question are Now In
By Brad Howe on January 07, 2017 from A Little Know-Howe
The 2016 West Virginia football season gave us another example of why so many of us love sports.
They are unpredictable. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a game or a season turns out to be much different than you expected. 
2016 was one of those seasons. It gave us a little bit of everything.
West Virginia caught some breaks: see the missed field goal by the Kansas State kicker on an attempt that would have won the game for the Wildcats and the tipped pass turned interception by Maurice Fleming to seal the win against BYU.
There was disappointment: getting blown out against Oklahoma and then physically dominated by Miami in the bowl game.
And there was excitement: the 6-0 start was the best start by a West Virginia football team since 2006. West Virginia climbed as high as number nine in the national rankings and was a contender for the Big 12 title into the final month of the season for the first time since joining the league.
Let’s take a look back at some of the questions being asked about West Virginia in August and the answers to those questions once the season played out.
West Virginia was picked seventh in the preseason Big 12 poll.
The Mountaineers finished third in the Big 12 and racked up 10 regular season wins for the first time since the 2007 season.
Who would become the playmaker on defense after so many guys were lost to the NFL?
Defensive back Rasul Douglas led the country in interceptions with eight. In just his second season with the Mountaineers, Douglas blossomed into a playmaker and leader on a defense that led the Big 12 in points allowed.
How will West Virginia replace Wendell Smallwood?
Junior college transfer, Justin Crawford ran for 1,161 yards and won the Big 12’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year Award. Crawford’s rushing total this season was the best in WVU history for a player in his first year on campus. His 1,161 yards rushing surpassed Charles Sims’ 1,095 yards in 2013 and Steve Slaton’s total of 1,128 yards rushing as a true freshman in 2005.
Would WVU run the ball as effectively in 2016 as it did 2015?
The bowl game notwithstanding, West Virginia’s ability to run the football was the team’s bread and butter again this season. Center Tyler Orlosky was the anchor on an offensive line that saw West Virginia show remarkable consistency in the run game.
Look at these rushing totals: WVU gained 2,967 yards rushing in 2015. The Mountaineers gained 2,969 yards rushing this past season.
Crawford was dynamic and had a fantastic season, but West Virginia’s strength this season was a plug and play system at running back. Crawford, Rushel Shell, Kennedy McKoy and true freshman Martel Petteway all eclipsed the 100 yard rushing mark in a game this season.
Orlosky was named All-Big 12 and a Rimington Award (best center in the nation) finalist.
Who would become the go-to receiver for Skyler Howard?
Senior receiver, Dakiel Shorts had one of the quietest, best seasons we’ve seen in a long time, in my opinion. Yes, he was named second team All-Big 12, but unless you watched him every game, I don’t think you could appreciate how many big plays he made this season.
Some were spectacular, who could forget that tip-toe catch for a touchdown against Baylor. But, most were just clutch, important catches when West Virginia needed a first down. Shorts finished the 2016 regular season with a career high 58 catches for 833 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Would Dana Holgorsen be back at West Virginia beyond the 2016 season?
Holgorsen entered the 2016 season with only two years remaining on his contract, a rarity among power five conference coaches. His job status beyond the 2016 season was very much in question.
That uncertainty was all but eliminated after West Virginia’s fast start. By the time mid-November rolled around, it was clear Holgorsen and WVU athletic director, Shane Lyons would be talking extension.
They did.
The school announced a new contract for Holgorsen following the Mountaineers’ regular season finale against Baylor. It was a new five year deal that would pay Holgorsen more than $18 million over the life of the contract.
I say it each year, but it remains true. It's amazing how quickly we go from preseason to the end of the season. I have no doubt it will be the same next year.
Right now, Sept. 2, 2017 seems a long way off. But, if past years are any indication, it will get here more quickly than we expect.
What’s your biggest question heading into the 2017 season? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @BradHowe07 and let me know.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Dana Holgerson during an early season practice, while Rasul Douglas is shown in the second photo. Justin Crawford goes in for a score in the third photo, while Daikiel Shorts tiptoes for six in the bottom photo. Picture of Douglas courtesy of WVU Sports Communications, while other three photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.
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