West Virginia's first-team offense played one series against the first-team defense during Monday's practice, which has been a rarity at camp.
The offense easily marched down the field and quarterback Geno Smith finished the drive with a touchdown pass to Tavon Austin.
"We are who they thought we were," coach Dana Holgorsen said.
What Holgorsen meant was that the offense is performing as expected and the defense has some work to do. That's understandable, considering the defense is undergoing some changes with first-year defensive coordinator Joe DeForest.
The sneak peek at the first teams provided a couple surprises on defense, including true freshmen Karl Joseph and K.J. Dillon as the starting safeties.
Other news and notes from around the Big 12:
- West Virginia's offensive line has been a point of criticism in past years but has impressed coaches in camp, the Charleston Gazette's Dave Hickman reported. "It was never like we had our heads down," right guard Jeff Braun said. "We took our beatings and rightfully so. But it's part of the game. You're competing at the highest collegiate level and if you're not producing, you're going to take some blame. The best thing now is that our teammates have confidence in us."
- For the Iowa State defense to improve this season, the Cyclones need to get better play out of their defensive line. The Cyclones finished eighth in the Big 12 with 17 sacks and seventh in rushing yards allowed (193.5 per game) last season.
- Kansas coach Charlie Weis named wide receiver Kale Pick as the top performer in camp. Pick, a former quarterback, has become a natural at receiver, Dayne Crist told Matt Tait of the Lawrence Journal-World.
- As if Oklahoma wasn't stacked enough at receiver, true freshman Sterling Shepard, son of Sooner great Derrick Shepard, is drawing comparisons to Ryan Broyles.
- Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman writes that conference realignment has ruined the non-conference schedule, as teams like Oklahoma State look to beat up on mid-majors and stay healthy in preparation for the nine-game Big 12 schedule.
- Texas Tech walk-on receiver Jordan Davis has worked his way into contention at the crowed slot receiver position, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12.
