Welcome, By-Godders to the Thursday edition of the Shotgun/Throwdown, brought to you today by Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale.

Syracuse week continues here on the Musket.  Here are today's links to keep you going.  Tips and suggestions are welcome.  On with the show...

What You May Have Missed:

Syracuse Preview - MSNsportsNET.Com
Official, state-run version

Preview: WVU-Syracuse - BlueGoldNews.com

Tickets returned for Louisville game - Coach Bill Stewart/Twitter
"Mountaineer Ticket Office told me returned tickets for WVU-Louisville game Saturday, Nov. 7, are now available for purchase on WVUGAME.com"

2009 Big East Fearless Picks - Week 6 - Scout.com

What to watch in the Big East, Week 6 - Big East - ESPN

Big East picks, Week 6 - Big East - ESPN

Mountaineer Madness scheduled Oct. 16 - Charleston Daily Mail
Friday, Oct 16 at 8:30pm

ACC No. 3 will face Big East in Champs Sports Bowl - Big East - ESPN
Champs Sports Bowl just got a little boost, perception wise.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL MAILBAG - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

News of Note:

Takeaways the other side of WVU's turnover woes - The Charleston Gazette
Now that Forde pointed it out, Hickman gets on the bus (not that it isn't a valid point)

Devine rewriting WVU record book - Charleston Daily Mail
His 3 TD runs of 70+ yards (each) are already a record

DEVINE CHOICE: Jarrett Brown stayed at WVU for chance to play with Noel Devine - Daily Orange

West Virginia University gets boost from redshirt freshman - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
"While West Virginia's Noel Devine is the third-leading runner in Division I, it is teammate Ryan Clarke who has been the big surprise."

Punter Kozlowski gets kick out of his comeback - PPG

Mountaineers open Big East play - Parkersburg News and Sentinel

The Paulus factor - The Charleston Gazette

Extra motivation for Paulus against WVU? - Big East - ESPN
I still love this story within: "As a reporter was leaving, the [West Virginia] reserve Cam Thoroughman asked if Duke point guard Greg Paulus was one of the eight McDonald’s all-Americans. When told yes, Thoroughman said: "Oh my God. Are you kidding?"" CLASSIC!!!!

Paulus, Marrone changing things at SU - Times West Virginian

WVU vs. Paulus Round 2: This Time, it's Football - Eersports.com
I swear, it's like all the writers get together and decide which stories will be covered on certain days.

New attitude has Syracuse on the right path - Charleston Daily Mail
Don't say I didn't warn ya. This team ain't the same as the last few versions. (Now, I'm not saying they're world beaters)

As Far As Doug Marrone Is Concerned, Greg Robinson Doesn't Exist - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Doug Marrone pleads the fifth of last year's West Virginia game, Greg Paulus remembers the last time he played WVU...in basketball.

Syracuse hopes to satisfy seven-year itch against West Virginia - Post-Standard

A new legacy? - The Charleston Gazette
Syracuse player (and brother to Todd Marinovich) Mikhail Marinovich is profiled.

Morgantown sliding in TSN ratings - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Big East preview: Conference comes back to pack - FOX Sports on MSN
"The Big East will take a hit this year." - I bet you thought he was talking about football, didn't ya?

Recruiting:

Texas QB Rock-Solid with WVU Commitment - Eersports.com
"Quarterback Jeremy Johnson of Silsbee, Tx., is an ultra-athletic dual-threat prospect who is solidly committed to West Virginia."

What's On Tap:

Baseball playoffs continue today with another triple-header.

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Preview - October 08, 2009 - ESPN
Phils look to go up 2-0 today at 2:37pm EDT

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - Preview - October 08, 2009 - ESPN
Cards are trying to get even today at 6:07pm EDT, after dropping Game 1.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels - Preview - October 08, 2009 - ESPN
And the final series to get under way starts today at 9:37pm EDT.

Around the League (and Beyond):

USF defensive coordinator Tresey won't do interview - The Cincinnati Enquirer
"Tresey, UC’s defensive coordinator under Brian Kelly the past two years, is now the defensive coordinator at USF after Kelly fired him at the end of last season"

Leavitt denounces USF marketing's 'Big 4' billboard - Tampa Tribune

What if teams followed Louisville’s lead with the "The Ville" Jerseys? - StraitPinkie

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano (kind of) glad to be blowing in the wind - Star Ledger

Thin defense welcomed Gunn's return - PPG

FSU's Trickett: Don't blame O-line - Tampa Tribune
Offensive line coach Rick Trickett said that for the most part his guys did as they were coached to do.

Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant ruled ineligible - SI.com

Video(s) of Interest:

Here are a couple videos from WVIllustrated.com:

Handbra Gallery of the Day:

Miss Throwdown:

We're going Greek today.  Meet Natali Thanou.

via www.elargentino.com

Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale image via www.bruguru.com