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Who will be the Big 12’s best offense in 2018? West Virginia, Oklahoma lead the pack

The Big 12 saw more than its fair share of high-flying offenses in 2017, with five of the nation's top-30 scoring attacks coming from the conference. Schools were aided by the presence of six senior quarterbacks, led by Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield.

With six departures at the position comes a set of uncertainty heading into 2018. But don't expect the conference to become the SEC overnight. So who will be the best offense in the Big 12 next season? Here are five candidates.

West Virginia

The best thing about the Mountaineers offense heading into 2018: they'll have a senior quarterback running the show. And a good one, too. 2018 will be junior Will Grier's second season with the West Virginia program, two years removed from his freshman campaign with Florida.

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The Davidson, North Carolina native flung 34 touchdowns in 2017 to go along with nearly 3,500 yards passing, while only tossing 12 interceptions. Grier has shown deft touch with the deep ball, as well as the ability to extend plays outside the pocket, crucial to the West Virginia attack. He's currently the Big 12's leading candidate to nab the Heisman Trophy at season's end.

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Grier won't be without a slate offensive weapons, either. The Mountaineers receiving corps is led by sophomore David Sils V, who led the NCAA in touchdown receptions with 18 last season. And don't discount his receiving counterparts. Sils is joined by All-Big 12 Second Team member Gary Jennings Jr., and Alabama transfer T.J. Simmons. Expect an explosive passing game in Morgantown in 2018.

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Oklahoma

It will certainly be a tough task replacing a Heisman winner in Mayfield, but if any offense is up to the task, it's the Sooners.

Leading the way in 2018 will be running back Rodney Anderson, who rushed for 1,161 yards last season, including 201 on 26 carries against Georgia in the Rose Bowl. Joining Anderson at the skill positions is wide receiver Marquis Brown, a sophomore who ranked No. 6 in the Big 12 in yards per game in 2017.

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And while it won't be the electrifying Mayfield taking snaps behind the Sooners' offensive line next year, there is a capable starter-in-waiting. Redshirt sophomore and Texas A&M transfer Kyler Murray looks poised to take the reigns as the Sooners' starter, bringing a dual-threat presence to the Oklahoma offense. Murray entered collegiate football as a highly-touted prospect, ranking as the nation's No. 1 dual-threat QB per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

TCU

The Horned Frogs will lose senior Kenny Hill as their signal caller in 2018, but like the Sooners, they have talent in spades on the offensive side of the ball.

Let's start at running back, where the Horned Frogs hold one of the most stacked position groups in all of the Big 12. Sophomore Darius Anderson leads the way for TCU, coming off a 2017 campaign in which he averaged six yards per carry while finding the endzone eight times. Joining Anderson will be powerful sophomore Sewo Olonilua and dynamic freshman Kennedy Snell. The trio looks primed to form one of the nation's deepest and most electrifying backfields in 2018.

There's also promise at wide receiver. Freshman Jalen Reagor displayed a knack for the goal line with eight touchdowns in 2017, and the addition of four-star redshirt Omar Manning will only make things easier on quarterback Shawn Robinson.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys' best chance to replicate their 2017 offense - one that ranked No. 4 in the nation in points per game - is to rely on their backfield. Sophomore Justice Hill returns to Stillwater after a year in which he scampered for nearly 1,500 yards, and he'll be joined by freshman J.D. King, who showed flashes of being an every-down back in his first season with the Pokes.

It will be a tall task replacing senior quarterback Mason Rudolph, however, there's certainly a talented crop of quarterbacks available to smooth the transition. Denton native Spencer Sanders projects to be Oklahoma State's starter, entering the program as the nation's No. 9 dual-threat recruit. There will almost-certainly be freshman growing pains, but Sanders has the talent to keep head coach Mike Gundy's offense humming in 2018.

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Texas

It's no secret that Texas' offense struggled for much of 2017. The Longhorns ended their season ranked No. 53 in points per game, scoring less than 25 points six times. But a young group should make significant strides in its second year under offensive coordinator Tim Beck.

The burnt orange's struggles last season weren't due to a lack of talent. Freshman Sam Ehlinger showed potential and promise throughout the season, making an impact both in the air and on the ground. But a slew of costly turnovers late in games cost Texas potential wins over USC, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Another year of experience should weed out those poor decisions, leading to better ball security from Texas' QB's. Ehlinger currently has 25-1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy per BettingDime.

Ehlinger will have plenty of weaponry at his disposal. Texas returns three of its top four receptions leaders from 2017, including future NFL prospect Collin Johnson. The 6-foot-6-inch sophomore hauled in 54 catches last year, highlighted by a seven-reception, 191-yard performance against the Trojans early in the year.

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Joining Ehlinger in Texas' backfield will be a pair of freshman, Daniel Young - who shined in the Longhorns' Texas Bowl victory - and Toneil Carter. Expect the pair to share carries, with sophomore Kyle Porter sprinkled in as well. If Texas' offensive line keeps Ehlinger upright, Texas' offense will be primed for a major turnaround in 2018.

Twitter: @mshap2

More unit rankings for 2018

Big 12: QBs | RBs | WRs | Offenses | D-Lines | LBs

SEC: QBs | RBs | WRs | D-Linemen