Scout.com’s College Football News has its WVU preview out and there’s a pretty obtuse, though sensible argument made about what it will take for the Mountaineers to be a notch better in 2012.

The team will be far better if … the Mountaineers win the time of possession battle. It might be an overblown stat considering a touchdown scored on a :29 drive counts as much as one that takes 7:29 to produce, but it’s hard for high octane offenses to score when they’re sitting on the sidelines. West Virginia didn’t get destroyed last year in time of possession – losing 30:33 to 28:20 – but they were on the wrong side in the three losses to LSU, Syracuse and Louisville. The Mountaineers lost the time of possession battle in most games, but they had the ball for 36:55 against Clemson.

Interesting, right? Dana Holgorsen’s offense is quick and capable and from anywhere on the field, so you’d think the Mountaineers are at their best with rapid scores. But perhaps that’s a detriment at times — especially in the Big 12, where prolific offenses (and sneaky running attacks?) might lead to games of attrition on defense.

We’ve been over this a little bit before and we figure third-down conversion percentages will be the most telling statistic of the season. The defense will actually be charged with those successes, though, and the offense’s ability to convert third downs and stay on the field should be influenced by the defense’s ability to stop third-down conversions and get off the field.

Fortunately, WVU has good junior safety who scored a momentous touchdown in the Orange Bowl. I mean, he’s really good.

Ten Best West Virginia Players
1. QB Geno Smith, Sr.
2. WR/KR Tavon Austin, Jr.
3. S Darwin Cook, Jr.
4. WR Stedman Bailey, Jr.
5. DE Will Clarke, Jr.
6. C Joe Madsen, Sr.
7. RB Dustin Garrison, Soph.
8. LB Terence Garvin, Sr.
9. RB Shawne Alston, Sr.
10. CB Darwin Cook, Jr.