In Tuesday's mailbag, we compare Samaje Perine to other elite sophomore running backs and West Virginia's Big 12 title hopes. To submit questions for next week's mailbag, click here.
Derek Duke in San Marcos, Texas, writes: Last week you said Oklahoma has better shot at being a Big 12 title contender which I agree. But I really think this team has a chance at being 9-0 before there trip to Waco. As long as Baker Mayfield produces and the defense improves why can't they be undefeated before the Baylor game? I think they can have a 10 win season. Thoughts?
Brandon Chatmon: Actually, I said Oklahoma State has the better shot, based on Mason Rudolph. That said, it's quite possible the Sooners could be undefeated heading into November. Lincoln Riley's offense has the potential to completely change things in Norman, especially if the Sooners get top-notch quarterback play. The Sooners have too much talent for me to say they cannot win 10 games but the recent trend of underachieving keeps me from expecting double-digit wins this fall. I still have the Sooners behind Baylor, TCU and OSU heading into the preseason.
DJ Sooner in Honolulu, Hawaii, writes: I've noticed most writers choosing LSU running back Leonard Fournette and Georgia running back Nick Chubb over Samaje Perine as their choices for returning freshmen RBs. Why is that? Perine holds an NCAA record, amassed more yardage, and scored more TD's than either of the SEC RBs (almost combined for TD total) by a significant margin. Please don't tell me it's because they play in the SEC. That conference as a whole had average defensive play. Another plus on Perine's side is the top two rushers in the NFL, Adrian Peterson and Demarco Murray, were recruited by Cale Gundy. How can the writers doubt Perine, and by extension, Cale Gundy?
BC: I don't think it has anything to do with Gundy or former Sooners. Nor is it difficult to understand why anyone would prefer Chubb or Fournette. Chubb averaged more yards per carry (7.06 to Perine's 6.51) and Fournette had fewer carries for negative yardage and fewer fumbles than the other two while rushing for 1,034 yards. Meanwhile Perine failed to reach 100 rushing yards in seven games a year ago, so it's not like he was a dominant freshman in every single game he played. I think Perine is second to none among sophomore running backs but it's not out of bounds to think he may be looking up at other ball carriers entering their sophomore seasons.
EvangelTTU in Dallas writes: Any bets on Perine does not lead the conference in rushing next season? Here is my argument. Oklahoma is bringing in an air-raid style offense, behind essentially a brand new O-line and he will likely have to split carries with other talented backs on the roster. I see Aaron Green or Deandre Washington taking that title home this year. Thoughts?
BC: You may be onto something. OU's offense is definitely changing to become more balanced and less Perine-centric. Green, Washington, Shock Linwood, Rushel Shell ... there's a long list of Big 12 runners who could give Perine a run for his money. If I had to bet, I'd agree with you. I'd take the field, not Perine.
Jake in Spotsylvania, Virginia, writes: What do the West Virginia Mountaineers have to do to win the Big 12 Championship?
BC: They really need Skyler Howard to step up. I think the defense is ready to challenge for a Big 12 title so it comes down to Dana Holgorsen's offense, which Howard will likely be tasked to run with efficiency. I'm not concerned about the Mountaineers finding playmakers to replace Kevin White and Mario Alford, I like the receiving talent in Morgantown and they have Shell and other talented running backs. Thus, Howard is the key for me. He doesn't need to be exceptional, he just needs to be smart, efficient and productive. Oh, and the Mountaineers will have to find a way to get it done -- even if its four one-point wins -- during their brutal October slate of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Baylor.
Zach Naegele in Yosemite, California, writes: The Mountaineers have a solid secondary, so it's likely we'll see a lot of teams try to run the ball on them. How do you think WVU will hold up against the run this season and do you think the opener against Georgia Southern, who apparently had a good run game last season, will be a good indicator of what's to come in the Big12?
BC: I think they will be good enough to compete for a Big 12 title. Not dominant, but good enough to get it done. Keep in mind, Oklahoma and Texas finished in the top four in the conference in yards per carry in 2014 but it didn't seem to help them much. I don't think the Georgia Southern game will tell us a lot about WVU's run defense but there could be small signs, good or bad, that we can take away.