The West Virginia Mountaineers' 2011 season ended with four consecutive victories, including a record-setting upset of the Clemson Tigers, 70-33, in the Orange Bowl, so it's no surprise to see them improve in the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll of the 2011 campaign. The coaches moved West Virginia up to No. 18, a four-spot jump over where they had the 'Eers prior to the start of Bowl Season.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, who took home the BCS Championship on Monday night, received all 59 first-place votes to leapfrog the LSU Tigers, whom they defeated Monday, for top honors. The Oklahoma St. Cowboys come in at No. 3, with the Oregon Ducks at No. 4 and the Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 5.
WVU proved to be the class of the Big East, at least as far as the coaches were concerned, finishing tops among the two Big East schools in the final poll; the Cincinnati Bearcats rank No. 21. Coincidentally, a road victory over Cincy started West Virginia's four-game winning streak to end the season.
For more on the Mountaineers, please visit The Smoking Musket, SB Nation's WVU blog.