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Big 12 Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017
Big 12 football is still trying to find its footing atop the Power Five pedestal. Non-conference play should give a glimpse of where they stand going forward.
The Big 12 Conference had just 14 players picked in the 2017 NFL Draft. That's one player less than the American Conference, who had 15 players drafted. The other four conferences out of the Power 5 all had 35 players or more drafted.
Recruiting continues to be an issue but with new head coaching hires Matt Rhule (Baylor) and Tom Herman (Texas), the landscape is sure to change.
The non-conference schedule for the Big 12 in 2017 is an intriguing one. They could play close games or get blown out by the other respective Power 5 conferences.
The Oklahoma Sooners return as the top team in the conference. They'll need to have a better showing in their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes if they hope to return to the College Football Playoff.
The West Virginia Mountaineers open their season against the always gritty Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. An early win over a former rival in the ACC could boost the Mountaineers profile next season.
Tom Herman's debut with the Texas Longhorns comes with a road trip to face the USC Trojans. Historically speaking, the Longhorns are 1-4 against the Trojans.
However, their lone victory came in the BCS National Championship Game in 2006 when quarterback Vince Young led the team to a 41-38 Rose Bowl victory.
The 2017 season will certainly show where the Big 12 stands in terms of conference supremacy by the end of it all. Here's a look at their five most important non-conference games this fall.
Jan 7, 2017; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor head football coach Matt Rhule (center) sits in the front row of the student section during the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
5. Baylor at Duke, Sept. 16
The Baylor Bears look to start anew in the Big 12 under head coach Matt Rhule, formerly of Temple. Baylor has been the face of scandal for the past few seasons and Rhule hopes to create a more respectable culture in 2017.
Rhule's first test will be against the Duke Blue Devils in the ACC. The Bears and Blue Devils haven't met on the football field since 1958. Duke won that matchup 12-7.
The Bears signed the 40th ranked recruiting class in 2017, according to 247Sports. It was the fifth-best in the conference despite the turmoil.
It also helps Rhule nabbed graduate transfer quarterback Anu Solomon, who was a starter with the Arizona Wildcats in 2014 and 2015.
Solomon threw for 6,910 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions in three seasons with the Wildcats.
He joins two other quarterbacks on the Baylor roster including possible starter Zach Smith, giving them the potential to have a quarterback competition up until the fall.
The Baylor defense will be a work in progress but earning a bowl appearance isn't too far off the radar. A road victory against the Blue Devils should get them there, but they'll need to be prepared for a battle.
Dec 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver John Diarse (9) and TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Jarrison Stewart (14) celebrate during the first half after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs at Liberty Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
4. TCU at Arkansas, Sept. 9
The TCU Horned Frogs took a step backwards after going a combined 23-3 in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Head coach Gary Patterson hopes for better results in the Big 12 as they return 10 starters on offense.
The Horned Frogs lost to the Razorbacks last season in double overtime 41-38 after a fourth quarter comeback tied things up in regulation. This year's rematch is certain to have the same amount of fireworks.
Quarterback Kenny Hill threw for 3,208 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns but also 13 interceptions. There could be a competition between Hill and incoming freshman Shawn Robinson, who enrolled early to get a headstart on things.
The Horned Frogs defense returns seven starters and has the opportunity to improve as a unit in 2017. Their scoring defense ranked 64th in the FBS, allowing 28.0 points per game.
TCU has a chance to redeem themselves after starting the 2016 season ranked 13th in the AP Poll but not quite living up to expectations. Earning a road victory against Arkansas could take them a long way in improving things.
Apr 15, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Texa Longhorns head football coach Tom Herman signals during a post game review during the Texas orange-white spring game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports
3. Texas at USC, Sept. 16
In their first meeting since the 2006 BCS National Championship Game, the Texas Longhorns begin a new era under head coach Tom Herman. Texas officials gave former head coach Charlie Strong three seasons before ultimately giving him the boot.
Now, Herman has his shot after going 22-4 in two seasons with the Houston Cougars. Herman acquires a roster that returns 17 of 22 starters, 10 of them on defense.
Led by linebacker Malik Jefferson, the Longhorns defense has an opportunity to be special under Herman's new coaching staff. Linebacker Brecky Hager is also another name fans could be hearing a lot of.
The Longhorns offense should also be in good hands. They will have junior offensive tackle Connor Williams, a projected top-NFL pick, blocking up front and quarterback Shane Buechele under center.
Buechele threw for 2,958 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season as a true freshman. He should produce better numbers in his second season.
With Tom Herman at the helm, the potential for success in the Big 12 increases for all parties involved. Prepare for a possible breakout season from the Longhorns with a possible upset of the USC Trojans.
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen (center) looks on from the sideline in the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Camping World Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes won 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
2. West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 3
The West Virginia Mountaineers have a chance to get an early marquee victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies to open the season. However, the task won't be easy by any means.
The Mountaineers return just eight total starters (five offense, three defense) in 2017. Head coach Dana Holgorsen has some rebuilding to do while the Hokies return seven starters on defense.
Coming off his second 10-win season as West Virginia's head coach, Holgorsen still comes up short when it comes to facing the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12. A date with the Hokies could change the team's fortune this season.
The offense returns some valuable assets at receiver returning (Shelton Gibson and Ka'Raun White) as well as an 1,000-yard rusher in running back Justin Crawford. The quarterback position is still up in the air entering the fall, but former Florida quarterback Will Grier could be the answer.
Either way, the Mountaineers and Hokies should be a battle as the team's used to meet annually to play for the Black Diamond Trophy as recently as the 2005 season. The Mountaineers have won three of the last 10 meetings.
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Jordan Thomas (7) reacts with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Auburn Tigers in the fourth quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
1. Oklahoma at Ohio State, Sept. 9
The Oklahoma Sooners look to return to the College Football Playoff, something they failed to do in 2016. They'll need to get a victory this season against the Ohio State Buckeyes if they want a chance.
The Sooners seem to have mastered the Big 12 Conference. They've won the last two titles and have won 10 total championships, the most by any team in the conference.
Oklahoma's offense returns nine players on offense, seven on defense which makes for better potential results on the field in 2017. Last season's 45-24 loss to the Buckeyes was uncharacteristic, particularly at home, for the Sooners.
Their chance for redemption comes in Week 2 next year. Quarterback Baker Mayfield will look to limit his turnovers this go round as a top senior to watch in the FBS. He threw two touchdowns but also two interceptions in last season's matchup.
They'll need to replace their two-headed monster at running back, but with Mayfield calling plays they should be in good hands.
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