How are West Virginia and TCU defenses adjusting to Big 12?

Geno Smith and the West Virginia offense have struggled, but what about the defense? Getty Images

Earlier today I took a look at West Virginia’s drop in offense now that they are in the thick of the Big 12 schedule to see if they can find their swagger this weekend when Oklahoma comes to Morgantown. As I noted, the Mountaineers had scored 56 points in the first quarter of their five wins to start the season but just 14 points in their recent four-game losing streak. The way this season started for West Virginia looked like they were going to have a rousing good time in their new conference home, the Big 12. That clearly has not been the case, with West Virginia still one win away from becoming bowl eligible. After a 5-0 start, who would have thought we would reach that point.

The offense is certainly going to be taking the brunt of the recent struggles of the Mountaineers, but you have to wonder if the defense is getting gassed as well. This was one of the concerns for the Mountaineers heading in to the season, and we now have an idea of whether or not this may be the case. Has the conference change caught up to West Virginia?

I hesitate to make year-by-year comparisons, and especially week-by-week comparisons because every game each week can have a different outlook on a weekly basis and the makeup of teams changes each year. Perhaps, though, we got a glimpse of the theme of the season in week one, when West Virginia faced in-state foe Marshall in the Friends of Coal Bowl. As you can see in the graph below, Marshall found success on offense against West Virginia and you can compare the offensive results for the Thundering Herd. West Virginia played Marshall in week one in 2011 as well, and the defensive success was, to put it kindly, noticeable.

Take a look at the chart below and you will see that once the Mountaineers got in to Big 12 play, it became obvious something was going to have to change compared to playing in the Big East. Last season just four teams all year put together at least 400 yards of total offense against West Virginia. So far this fall all six Big 12 opponents (and seven total) have put together over 400 yards of offense.

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Episode 128 – Talking Big 12 football with Greg Swaim

One final podcast before the first games are played

Happy college football day everybody! Today the 2012 college football season officially kicks off and we all deserve to sit back, relax and enjoy some college football action tonight. We talked a little bit about the South CArolina-Vanderbilt game and some other notable SEC games taking place in yesterday’s podcast with Barrett Sallee. Today we take a quick look at the Big 12 with Greg Swaim.

The Big 12 does not have any real notable games on the week one schedule but there is plenty to discuss with this conference heading in to the 2012 season. Nevertheless, it is a fun conference and there should be some fantastic games to pay attention to as we go through the schedule.

Some of the topics we discussed in this episode include:

• What the additions of West Virginia and TCU mean
• Can West Virginia make a Big 12 title run in 2012? What about TCU?
• Or is Oklahoma still the team to beat despite some recent roster adjustments?
• Will freshman Wes Lunt be able to keep the Oklahoma State Cowboys from crashing back to Earth this fall?
• Does Mack Brown wish he still had Garrett Gilbert?
• How does Baylor follow-up last season without Robert Griffin III?
• Bill Snyder, the legend

Have a listen to the podcast below, then make sure you are subscribed in iTunes, and following the show on Get Glue! Follow Swaim on Twitter @GSwaim (follow me too). And don’t forget, this podcast can be heard at anytime on Stitcher Radio (and click here for a promo code to get started and a chance to win $100)!

A portion of this podcast will be featured in our first ever encore presentation Friday evening, airing live on Pioneer Digital TV channels 150 and 152 in Oklahoma, and parts of Texas and Kansas where available. Click here for more information, and stay tuned for some announcements for the podcast and site coming soon.

If the audio widget does not show up for you, click here to listen.

Follow No 2-Minute Warning on Twitter @No2MinWarning and Like No 2-Minute Warning on Facebook.

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How LaDainian Tomlinson helped TCU get on path to the Big 12

TCU star’s impact on Horned Frogs is not forgotten

LaDainian Tomlinson’s TCU career remains among the best in college football history. Photo: Dallas Morning News.

The moment LaDainain Tomlinson first touched a football in a Pop Warner game, the legend started. Tomlinson, a Waco, Texas native, would go on to have one of the most successful careers in the National Football League. As he retired on Monday, Tomlinson did so having scored the second most rushing touchdowns in NFL history, behind only his idol and former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, and fifth in all-time rushing yards. He also became one of the most fascinating players to watch on the field every Sunday when in his prime and was selected to five Pro Bowl rosters and the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the early 2000′s.

But in between his Hall of Fame worthy career in the pros and his days as a young amateur athlete Tomlinson played a key role in paving the road for TCU football to return where they feel they belong, the Big 12.

Despite being named Most Valuable Player and Super Centex Offensive Player of the Year in his senior year of high school, after rushing for 2,554 yards and 39 touchdowns after making a move from playing linebacker, not many schools considered Tomlinson to be a big-time running back. Having only played one year out of the backfield many coaches and programs wondered if he could carry the load on a regular basis. It was a fair concern at the time, but those who passed on Tomlinson would find out just how much of an influence he could be over the coming years.

Timing also played a key role against Tomlinson’s chances of playing running back for top programs such as Oklahoma, Texas and more. These high-profile programs had already found their options and were no longer in need of a running back. But TCU made Tomlinson an offer, and he accepted it. To this day it may be recognized as the most significant recruitment in TCU’s football history. … Continue Reading

Morning Bump and Run [5.16.2012] – The Big Ten and the Rose Bowl, sitting in a tree…

Some morning links worth checking out

Looks like a young Alabama fan may have taken in some cotton candy at a Phillies-Astros game this week.

The Big Ten likes the Rose Bowl, probably a little too much according to Dan Wetzel. But at least they have the sense to back off the nine-game conference schedule once the schedule agreement with the Pac 12 kicks in. The same can’t be said for the ACC. One Foot Down piles on the conference.

So the Big Ten is voicing a preference to save the Rose Bowl at the cost of losing out on playoff games in the cold north, yet they will consider making a play to align with the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium.

Earlier this week the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 was unveiled. Needless to say, controversy ensued with the fact that Nebraska’s Tommie Frazier was not elected. Don’t blame me, I had him on my ballot.

Florida State to Big 12 Podcast Galore! I spoke with Adam Tolliver of Examiner.com. Crystal Ball Run spoke to Coley Harvey of the Orlando Sentinel. Blatant Homerism spoke to Honus “The Dude” Snead from Eer Insider.

My pal Aaron Torres takes a look at how USC athletics director Pat Haden has become the best at his job.

Show off your #MACtion pride!

You asked for them, now you have them! The No 2-Minute Warning t-shirt shop is open and we have #MACtion shirts for fans of every school in the conference. Check out the color-coordinated options and pick the one that i the closest match for your school (shirt colors are also customizable if you want to go against the grain), and be sure to wear one to the next game. Stay tuned for more designs to come. … Continue Reading

Check out TCU’s new football helmet for 2012

TCU keeping the frog-skin pattern from former Pro Combat helmet

A look at TCU's new football helmet.

The TCU Horned Frogs are ready to move in to the Big 12, and if the photo of this helmet is any indication they will be doing so in style. The photo was shared via Twitter (protected account) by wide receiver Josh Boyce Monday morning.

Previously TCU mailed out ticket packets with a TCU football helmet on the cover, but not too much was picked up from that. In fact, the Horned Frog was still on the helmet. You may remember TCU’s Pro Combat jerseys from the 2010 season, which included this helmet… … Continue Reading