Defensive Expectations Remain The Same For West Virginia University

With a large chunk of defensive starters gone, the logical conclusion is that the WVU defense will suffer from those losses in 2016. Dana Holgorsen doesn't necessarily agree.

By Michael Miller@yall_walker Jul 22, 2016, 8:53am EDT

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Football:

Although the Mountaineers gave up more points than they had wished in the offensive-minded Big 12 last season, a quick look at NFL preseason rosters gives a clear indication just how much talent defensive coordinator Tony Gibson had on his side. With that much talent gone, the logical conclusion is that the WVU defense will suffer from those losses in 2016. Holgorsen doesn't necessarily agree.

For all the dynamics West Virginia's Jovon Durante showed during the early portions of his freshman season, the remainder revealed too little stamina and too little academic progress. Ineligible for the Cactus Bowl and subsequently suspended for spring semester, Durante has been reinstated this summer. Yet he'll enter preseason camp facing a climb.

The West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will introduce the Mountaineer Legends Societythis fall at Milan Puskar Stadium, and it will serve as one of three ways the department can use to honor its past great student-athletes.

Around The Big 12:

With Big 12 expansion moving rapidly, SB Nation has put together a hub for all the latest news. Yesterday saw East Carolina throwing their names in the hat for consideration, and Texas seemingly putting all their weight behind the Houston Cougars.

8-figure exit fees could mean new Big 12 members not joining until 2018. Here's what it costs to leave the American and Mountain West conferences for a bigger league.

Around The NCAA:

In the newest Podcast Ain't Played Nobody, Bill and Godfrey tackle Big 12 Media Days, Colorado vs. Colorado State, why the Big 12 adding Houston doesn't make a ton of sense, and what the Pac-12 might get out of going into Texas ... without UT.