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 Dominion Octoberfest.
The "Thanks for Holgorsen Tour" continues this week as the Mountaineers are preparing to face the second team in a row that they should have beaten last year, but didn't, in the Orange. Of course, the big news is the Big East voted UNANIMOUSLY (reportedly) to double the exit fee last night, but with a pretty large caveat. Couple that with the news that Missouri is preparing to make their application to the SEC public and you have a very worried WVU fan base. I'm doing my best to remain calm and as I've said before, I won't completely give up on a better conference for WVU until President Clements and/or Oliver Luck pledge undying support to being a part of a rebuilding Big East. Let's get started...
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Tuesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Tom Luicci from The Star-Ledger gives his take on if the Big East will keep its automatic BCS bid, Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone talks about the difference from this year's game from last year's game and Kyle Wiggs gives his weekly report on the Big East
Big East fee increase depends on Navy, Air Force - CBSSports.com
Report: Houston Offered Big East Invite - WVMETRONEWS.COM
According to the report, UH chancellor Renu Khator and athletic director Mark Rhoades will be meeting with Big East officials in New York later in the week.
NCAA College Football Power Rankings Week 7 - ESPN
#12
Bryant focused entering into senior year - Times West Virginian
"I feel more comfortable at the point, but if I’m going to get some shots and help my team win some games, I will play the 2."
News of Note:
Timing Not An Issue - BGN
At the start of his team’s first off week of the season, Dana Holgorsen expressed concern about the potential harm time away from the field could do to the timing of his offense. Geno Smith stepped out on the practice field Sunday and erased those concerns one throw at a time.
Coaching sessions with WVU QBs beneficial - Charleston Daily Mail
"I've done clinics before where I've taken one play and talked about it for three hours," Spavital said. "You can do it."
Smith, WVU impress Orange coach - Register-Herald
"When you look at the offense that’s 11th in the country and a defense that’s 16th in the country, they obviously pose a great challenge to our football team."
Orange could follow UConn’s blueprint - Charleston Gazette
"They present a bunch of challenges, much like UConn did, from the style of ball that they play,'' Holgorsen said.
Orange has hands full against Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail/AP
"Geno Smith's playing extremely well right now," Marrone said. "He's made great improvement in what he's been able to do. That's really been the key for them."
WVU prepares for Orange - Daily Athenaeum
"I asked the team how many guys had been up there, and there were probably 35 or 38 guys," Holgorsen said. "A lot of guys on the team that have been up there know a little bit more about it than I do."
WVU out for revenge - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Syracuse pulled off upset last season
WVU offense, defense clicking - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
Bigger exit fee? Hey, it’s a start - Charleston Gazette
Hickman's Notebook
WVU Football Mid-Season Report Card - WVillustrated
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East power rankings - Big East Blog - ESPN
Still on top
Big East Football Power Rankings Week 8 - The UConn Blog
It's unanimous on this one
2011 CFN Midseason Big East Rundown - College Football News
The top players, games, surprises and disappointments of the first half of the Big East season.
Mike Sanford is no longer a member of the Louisville football staff - Card Chronicle
Rutgers football facing a mirror image in Louisville - Star Ledger
Cincinnati Bearcats Offense Plagued By Slow Starts - Down The Drive
Missed chances still plaguing USF offense - Tampa Tribune
Graham takes big step in committing to Sunseri - PPG
SEC claims top spot in Power Rankings - ESPN
BE is #7
Missouri Moves Closer to Joining SEC - NY Times
Recruiting:
If you haven't noticed, I finally got around to updating the verbal commitment lists for both football and basketball in the left margin on the front page. Sorry, it took so long.
What's On Tap:
Men's Soccer: No. 18 WVU Hosts No. 1 UConn - MSNsportsNET.Com
The No. 18 West Virginia University men’s soccer team battles No. 1 Connecticut presented by EZToUse.com on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
Men's Basketball: Tickets to Go On Sale - MSNsportsNET.Com
Tickets for WVU men’s basketball non-conference home games will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 9 a.m.
Video of Interest:
MSN's weekly look inside Mountaineer Football. Hosted by Tony Caridi and analyst Jed Drenning, this week's episode takes a look back at the Mountaineer's 5-1 season to date, rates the offense, defense, and special teams, and takes a preview of Friday night's upcoming game at Syracuse.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Sports Illustrated and Victoria's Secret model Jarah Mariano. Click on the picture for today's gallery.
Dominion Octoberfest image via www.bruguru.com