Getty ImagesSnubbed — and that’s putting it lightly — by the Big East for Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith is feeling the love in his new conference, the Big 12.
Smith was named the Big 12′s preseason Offensive Player of the Year and first-team quarterback over Oklahoma’s Landry Jones. Smith led the Mountaineers last year with 4,385 yards passing, good for fourth in the nation, and 31 passing touchdowns, good for 12th (tied). Jones, however, was third in the country in passing yards last year with 4,463, though he threw two fewer touchdowns than Smith and twice as many interceptions.
However, the Sooners are the class of the Big 12′s preseason all-conference team, along with Oklahoma State, with five selections. OU wide receiver Trey Metoyer was chosen as preseason Newcomer of the Year. Texas defensive end Alex Okafor was selected as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Here is the full list. Big 12 media days are next week.
^ 2011 Preseason Team
* 2011 All-Big 12 First Team selection
# 2011 All-Big 12 Second Team
Eff you Randy Shannon
I’m a Clemson fan and I think he just scored on us again! He deserves it after that performance.
I’m a little surprised to not see Stedman Bailey, Tom Wort or Corey Nelson, and Carrington Byndom on the list. Bailey is probably the biggest snub of the bunch, as he and Tavon Austin seem to be easily the top returning receivers in the conference.
Smith torched LSU last year in a loss.
and by the end of the year it will be Casey Pachall
I am very happy for Geno Smith and Tavon Austin. I hope all of this sudden fame doesn’t go to their heads. A lot of hard work is waiting for them in the Big 12. I believe that WV has the best team, but it is not good when people look down on other teams. Remember any given week any team can beat you if you are not prepared.
I also think that Stedman Bailey should be on the list. Maybe, he will work that much harder to prove he should be there.
Best of luck to my Mountaineers.
How is Stedman Bailey not on the list??