The Shotgun/Throwdown: Christmas Eve (12/24/10) Edition

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.  We're being brought to you today by Mad Elf Ale.

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Merry Christmas!!!

What You May Have Missed:

3 WVU players ineligible for Champs Bowl - Charleston Daily Mail

Mounties arrive in Orlando - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Traveling with Corey Smith - Mountaineer TV
The Mountaineers traveling to Orlando to play NC State in the Champs Sports Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

WVU football chat transcript 12.23.2010 - 'Eers to the Ground

December Roundtable: Team Expectations - the east coast bias
Country Roads represented the Smoking Musket in another BE BB roundtable

Dec Roundtable: Surprise Big East team - the east coast bias
Part II

Dec Roundtable: Disappointing Big East team - the east coast bias
Part III

West Virginia Mountaineers: Midterm Grades - SB Nation Pittsburgh

NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings - ESPN
7th out

College Hoops Power Rankings - Luke Winn - SI.com
Not listed

News of Note:

Family Time - MSNsportsNET.Com
Sidney Glover is profiled

Musings of a Mountain Man: 12/23 - WVillustrated.com

WVU's Smith confident - Martinsburg Journal
Mickey's Column

WVU faithful say they're ready to roll - Charleston Daily Mail

Why the slow ticket sales? - 'Eers to the Ground

The College Bowl System Is For The Fans (Who Are Watching At Home) - SBNation.com

Stewart focused on bowl - Times West Virginian
Hertzel Column

Been there, done that - Hampshire Review

Chip Shots - Morgan Messenger

WVU football: Mullen won't discuss details of departure - Charleston Daily Mail

WVU football: Let's not forget defense as new era on offense begins - Charleston Daily Mail

WVU football: Defense ready for challenge against N.C. State - Charleston Daily Mail

Defense will have to adjust without Hogan - Charleston Gazette

QB Wilson big hitter for Wolfpack offense - PPG

McMurphy's Picks: More Holiday Cheer and Bowl Picks - NCAAFB FanHouse

Champs Sports Bowl Info:

Football: Champs Sports Bowl Tickets - MSNsportsNET.Com

Football: Alumni Association Travel Packages - MSNsportsNET.Com

Champs Sports Bowl Fan Central
Info page, seating charts, merchandise, discount opportunities, etc.

Bowl Game 2010 | Leave the Team a Message - West Virginia University

Mountaineers can take advantage of fan activities at Champs Sports Bowl - WVU Today

Champs Sports Bowl's fun pre-game events - Charleston Gazette

Around the League (and Beyond):

Georgetown Goes Down To Memphis, Dismantles Tigers 86-69 - Casual Hoya

Pitt Vs. UConn: Panthers Selling Standing Room Only Seats - Cardiac Hill
They want a packed house...and I don't blame them one bit, for a change

Unbeaten UConn Bracing For Big East Opponents - Hartford Courant

UConn, Edsall Get More Exposure - Hartford Courant

Rick Jackson delivers another 'monster' performance against Drexel - Post Standard

Pinstripe Bowl wager: Syracuse, Manhattan, Kan., mayors put beer, ribs and sausage on the line - Post Standard

The Airing of USF Basketball Grievances - Voodoo Five

Seton Hall Basketball: JP's 5 Thoughts- Positives, Polynice, Coaching, Foul Trouble, Theodore - South Orange Juice

Despite strong effort from feisty St. Peter's, Rutgers able to to survive with 55-52 win - Star Ledger

UC rolls over St. Francis - Cincinnati Enquirer
94-58

Loss of 25 Louisville seniors won't lower Strong's standards - Courier-Journal

Uh Oh: Dienhart Says Leach to Maryland is "Losing Juice" - Testudo Times
At least they're keeping a good attitude about it over there...honestly...no, seriously, they are

Terrelle Pryor Among Five Ohio State Players Suspended, but Not for Bowl - NCAAFB FanHouse
Not for bowl....geez, whatever

Five-Step Drop: So Long, JoePa? - NCAAFB FanHouse

Rumors fly that JoePa will retire after bowl game - College Football Talk
More smoke...

What's On Tap:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Serving as today's Miss Throwdown is a collection of models wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  First up is Irina Shayk:

Next up is my favorite group of Angels...including Candice, Adriana, Rosie and several others:

From all of us at The Smoking Musket: We wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

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