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The 2011-2012 season kicks off unofficially tonight with Mountaineer Madness at the Coliseum (gear sale at the Shell Building before) where both Coach Huggins and Coach Carey will be introducing a plethora of newcomers on their squads. But, the big news of the day is the impending Big East vote on a possible raising of the exit fee from the league. We've also got a few more mid-season reports on Coach Holgorsen and the football team. Try to enjoy your weekend without Mountaineer Football.

What You May Have Missed:

Gold And Blue Now: Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
WVU quarterbacks coach Jack Spavital compares Geno Smith to Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, Hoppy Kercheval gives the football team its mid-term grades and WVU Director of Marketing Matt Wells talks about Mountaineer Madness.

West Virginia basketball teams kick off 2011-12 season with Mountaineer Madness - Daily Athenaeum
"It is going to be a challenge. I've talked about this a bunch, but different people learn different ways," Huggins said. "It's hard to tell that when you go watch guys in the AAU circle. They're all going to learn, it's just a matter of how quickly."

For WVU men and women, this season will be a teaching year - Times West Virginian
The real lessons for Huggins’ six freshmen and Carey’s four freshmen who join a team with only one returning starter begin now.

Senior Leaders Ready to Step Up on the Court - WV Illustrated
Seniors are frequently looked to as the leaders on a team. Both Kevin Jones and Truck Bryant are embracing that responsibility.

Jones will lead young Mountaineer squad into battle - Register-Herald
And coach Bob Huggins is happy about that.

WVUBig12SECSports.pdf - Gridiron History
Here's a chart showing WVU sports and how they match/don't match with the SEC & Big XII

News of Note:

Saban might be in WVU corner, but will it help? - Charleston Gazette
Vingle's views on WVU's realignment scenario

Holgorsen making smooth transition in first season - Daily Athenaeum
I think it is safe to say Holgorsen has answered all of the proposed questions through his first six games this year.

Midseason Grades for the New Guys - Pre-Snap Read
See what grades he gives Holgorsen and the other new hires around the country

Vote For The 2011 Premier Player of College Football - Premier Players
Vote for Geno!!

WVU football: Holgorsen says will Smith continue to improve the longer he's in system - Charleston Daily Mail
"Right now, you're not looking at a finished product."

Six Mountaineer tacklers among Big East leaders - Times West Virginian
Mickey's Column

Mountaineers Work on Timing - MSNsportsNET.Com
Dana Holgorsen wants to make sure the timing of his team’s off-week doesn’t affect his team’s timing. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

The invisible kicker - Charleston Gazette
Bitancurt having a solid year in relative anonymity

Recruiting:

Wonderful Warren Happy For Watkins - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"I’m honored first off over the weekend and to have my nephew say he wants to be a Mountaineers, that’s always been a dream of mine, but I was never going to push that on him. I told him regardless of where he went I would wear that jersey, of course under a WVU jersey," joked Baker.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Big East to vote on increasing exit fees on Friday - Sporting News

Report: Big East BCS AQ Status Solid Through 2015 - Big East Coast Bias

Ode to the Keg of Nails - Card Chronicle

UC could take to the air vs. Cardinals - Cincinnati Enquirer

A List Of Ways USF Could Lose To UConn Again - Voodoo Five

UConn Football: Jones, Davis Haven't Done Enough At WR - Hartford Courant

Previewing Rutgers and Navy - On the Banks

Pitt Vs. Utah Football: Let The Battle For Mediocrity Begin - Cardiac Hill

Syracuse University turns to IMG College to aid football ticket sales - Post Standard

Mountain West And Big East Could Save Each Other - Cowboy Altitude
Unfortunately, he doesn't really consider other sports than BB and FB

College GameDay Kickoff: Week 7 preview - ESPN

What's On Tap:

Madness In Morgantown - WVMETRONEWS.COM
There is going to be a Bob Huggins look-a-like contest and WVU forward Deniz Kilicli will close out the event by playing Country Roads on his guitar. The teams will also raise its NCAA Tournament banners. - includes video with WVU Sports Marketing Director Matt Wells

Utah Utes vs. Pittsburgh Panthers - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Ketchup Place on ESPNU. Pitt is giving 6.5.

Louisville Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bearcats - ESPN
Noon Saturday from Bungle Field on MASN, SNY, Gameplan and ESPN3. Cinci is giving 16.

Navy Midshipmen vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - ESPN
2 pm Saturday from Jersey on ESPN3. Rutgers is giving 4.

South Florida Bulls vs. Connecticut Huskies - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from the Rent on MASN, SNY, Gameplan and ESPN3. Bulls are giving 7.5.

Video of Interest:

MSN's Tony Caridi sits down with WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel to talk about the UConn game and what the staff plans to do during the bye week.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

My conundrum: I like Disney, but not ESPN (specifically it's multiple conflicts of interest)

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is Brazilian model Lisalla Montenegro. Here's her video and gallery (click on the picture for the gallery).

Magic Hat Hex Ourtoberfest image via www.examiner.com