Snubbed -- 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