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The day is finally here, and depending on how and if administrators can work things out, it could be the final Backyard Brawl for a while. But, back on the field, Geno and Stedman are poised to perhaps break some records today and Bruce has his sights set squarely on the Pitt quarterback. Unlike other recent editions of this game, the weather is actually set to be fairly nice. All of this and more in your Backyard Brawl game-day edition of the Throwdown. Enjoy the game and your weekend!!
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
In a Black Friday edition of "Gold and Blue Now", Dana Holgorsen isn't getting distracted by the excitement of the "Backyard Brawl", the WVU defense talks about defending Pitt quarterback Tino Sunceri and we evaluate the Mountaineer basketball team after four games.
Men's Basketball: 2012 Old Spice Field Set - MSNsportsNET.Com
The eight-team field for the 2012 Old Spice Classic will feature Vanderbilt and Gonzaga, both preseason top 25 teams, along with Clemson, Davidson, Marist, Oklahoma, UTEP and West Virginia.
Jones strong on the glass - Martinsburg Journal
Huggins said, "He works hard every day in practice and he helps the younger players. He talks and they listen. You can tell that when you see him at practice.
News of Note:
Previewing the 2011 Backyard Brawl With Former Mountaineer LB Jason Williams - WVU Pros
Caleb interviewed a former player for his perspective on today's game and the series
Pitt Preview - MSNsportsNET.Com
In commercials last summer promoting Todd Graham’s inaugural season as Pitt’s head football coach, Graham could be heard in his Oklahoma twang talking about running a “high octane offense.”
West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh Game Preview - WVillustrated
Without going through all of the scenarios that need to happen for WVU to get into the BCS, the Mountaineers just need to win out first and foremost and that begins this Friday in the 104th Backyard Brawl against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Backyard Brawl Under The Lights - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The magnitude of Friday’s matchup was increased even more after both teams picked up wins back on November 12th to propel themselves back into conference title mix.
Fifth Year Seniors Last Link to WVU's Worst Brawl Memory - WVillustrated
Four years ago, they stood on the sideline watching as their teammates failed to win the 100th Backyard Brawl. It could have resulted in a national championship berth. Instead, it was… If you're a WVU fan reading this, you know what it was.
Memories of the Backyard Brawl from the Mountaineer Sideline - WVillustrated
From 2005-2008, there were highs and extreme lows for WVU in its series with Pittsburgh. Geoff Coyle takes us on a trip down memory lane from his time as a student manager.
Past History Won’t Be Focus - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
For now, the focus is on a 116-year-old series with an uncertain future and the final home game for 22 West Virginia seniors.
Pittsburgh visits WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mountaineers aiming for bowl berth
Last call for the Backyard Brawl? - Charleston Gazette
Conference shuffling could spell doom for WVU-Pitt rivalry
Pitt, WVU unsure about continuing the Brawl - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pederson said he doesn't sense support from his fan base for continuing The Backyard Brawl in a nonconference format.
Goodbye Brawl? - Times West Virginian
Tonight’s WVU-Pitt clash could be last in some time
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU-Pitt way of life for some - Times West Virginian
“It’s a throwback to the mines and the cultural heritage of the majority of the kids who have played in the game,” the thoughtful, verbose Kirelawich began. “It has its root in blue-collar, hard-nosed football, the kind the working man appreciated in those days and still appreciates today.”
Gameday: It's a small world, this coaching business - Charleston Gazette
In fact, it will be the fourth straight season that the teams they coach will square off.
WVU football: Geno reaching greater heights - Charleston Daily Mail
The worst-case scenario for Pitt in tonight's Backyard Brawl is the public address announcer at Mountaineer Field will stop Geno Smith more than the Panthers defense will.
Bailey Should Break a Record in Brawl - WVillustrated
WVU Outside Receiver Stedman Bailey needs just seven yards to set a new school record for receiving yards in a season.
Big games on table this weekend for Marshall and WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
The "Backyard Brawl," as has been the custom in recent years, is more than the 104th WVU-Pitt clash, and not just because new coaches Dana Holgorsen and Todd Graham don't seem to go to the same barber.
Backyard Brawl: A lot at stake for Mountaineers, Pitt - Register-Herald
There are too many storylines to count going into this, the 104th edition of the annual Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia tonight at Milan Puskar Stadium
WVU's mission clear: Put clamps on Sunseri - PPG
Without a flicker of hesitation, Bruce Irvin summed up the key to slowing Pitt's offense tonight in the 104th Backyard Brawl: "Get to Tino Sunseri and hassle him as much as we can."
WVU Gameday: Mitch's matchups - Charleston Gazette
Backyard Brawl timeline - Charleston Gazette
A look back at some memorable moments from the WVU-Pitt football rivalry, which the Panthers lead 61-39-3
Backyard Brawl year-by-year scores - Charleston Gazette
WVU vs. Pitt all-time scores; Pitt leads 61-39-3
Around the League (and Beyond):
Backyard Brawl Preview: Breaking Down Pitt Vs. West Virginia - Cardiac Hill
Backyard Brawl Week: Looking at First-Year Records in the Brawl - Cardiac Hill
Rutgers' defense goes from Big East's worst to best - Star Ledger
UConn Football: Kashif Moore Looks Forward To Rutgers Game - Hartford Courant
QB Eveld is ready to lead Bulls - Tampa Tribune
Louisville football team hungry for first win at Tampa - Courier-Journal
Antwon Bailey, Syracuse University's little big man, to wave goodbye (video) - Post Standard
UC's Derek Wolfe won't be blocked - Cincinnati Enquirer
What's On Tap:
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers - ESPN
7 pm tonight from Milan Puskar Stadium on ESPN/ESPN3. Mountaineers are giving 7.
Women's Basketball: WVU Travels to California - MSNsportsNET.Com
The game marks the first of two contests for the Mountaineers during the weekend’s Holiday Inn Thanksgiving Basketball Classic. On Saturday, West Virginia will take on either Cal State Northridge or Colgate at 8 or 10:30 p.m.
Louisville Cardinals vs. South Florida Bulls - ESPN
11 am this morning from Ray Jay on ESPN2/ESPN3. Bulls are giving 3.5.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Syracuse Orange - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Dome on MASN, SNY, ESPN Gameplan and ESPN3. Cinci is giving 2.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Connecticut Huskies - ESPN
Noon Saturday from the Rent on ESPN2/ESPN3. Rutgers is giving 3.
Video of Interest:
MSN's Tony Caridi sat down with WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel to discuss how the Mountaineers handled the bye week and how they've prepared for the 104th edition of the Backyard Brawl.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
It's kind of my personal tradition to run this one on Brawl Gamedays:
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Better Than Seven-Layer Dip
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- one-half cup water
- one-quarter teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 lime, juiced and divided
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded 50 percent reduced fat pepper jack cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 chicken breast, roasted and shredded
- one-half head savoy cabbage, very thinly sliced
- one-quarter teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Chopped fresh cilantro (to taste)
- 1 avocado, cubed
- 1 roma tomato, cubed
- Garnish: salsa and cilantro
Method
Reprinted from The Quad Blog
- Combine beans, water and cumin seeds in a small saucepan; bring to a boil and reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes, or until water is almost completely reduced.
- Remove from heat; stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice, half cup cheese and salt and pepper (to taste).
- Spread in bottom of a pie plate.
- Top with chicken and remaining cheese; set aside.
- Combine cabbage, 1 tablespoon lime juice, red pepper flakes, cilantro and salt (to taste). Layer over chicken.
- Combine avocado, tomato and any remaining lime juice. Layer over cabbage.
- Top with salsa and cilantro.
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the Pledge from our old Hump Day Posts and a gorgeous SI Swimsuit model. Click on the picture for today's gallery of Brooklyn Decker pictures. The videos are awful nice too.
via si.com
One more for the road:
