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Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?

By Dan Vasta

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan /
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AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks at the scoreboard during a time out in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 49-19 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks at the scoreboard during a time out in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 49-19 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

22) West Virginia Mountaineers

Key Player: QB Will Trier

Trier will hopefully pick up where Skyler Howard had this offense last season. This team doesn’t haul in the top recruiting classes like some other Big 12 programs, but their ability to mix and match the perfect players to fit their system has allowed continued success. In a pass happy conference, look for Trier to put together a solid season where the Mountaineers badly need him.

Key Stat: Dana Holgorsen has done well so far in Morgantown as he has now gone to bowls in five of the six seasons that he has been in charge. A tough schedule may make the faithful sweat out a sixth bowl bid, but keep the faith in a talented coach.

Key Game: 9/2 Virginia Tech

Very rarely is the season opener a key game to win, but the Mountaineers schedule might be the toughest in the conference. A victory could really go a long way as the Hokies are a worthy Top 25 squad entering the season. I would hate to be stuck on five wins in the final three-game stretch, so it critical the Mountaineers start out 4-0.