The secret of WVU’s success is succinctly explained by the head coach as Dana Holgorsen’s second Mountaineers team prepares for its first season in the Big 12. “We probably know a lot more about the Big 12 than the Big 12 knows about us.”

OK, that won’t always be true, but that’s probably the best preparation for a debut like the one WVU is about to make. Holgorsen knew what he knew about the Big 12 from his prior stops and when it came time to really put his thumb print on things during this offseason, he knew exactly who and what he wanted.

“We invaded some of the Big 12 schools and Conference USA schools out that way, to bring that type of culture here to West Virginia,” said Holgorsen, coming off a 10-3 season and a Big East championship in his first year. “We’re not going to go into a hornet’s nest without knowing about it. Now that in itself isn’t going to win you any games, but I do think it will be beneficial in the long run.”