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 the "champagne of beers," Miller High Life.
It's gameday and just as last week, it's time to put up or shut up. They say that every game matters in a FBS college football season (and they're right, mostly). But, obviously, some mean more than others as the stakes get higher and higher as the season progresses. Even as WVU still needs help, taking care of business tonight in Tampa is of utmost importance before the help even becomes a factor.
We have the usual smattering of game previews and features today to go along with some basketball notes (including a new gallery of what has turned out to be an amazing practice facility) and a new receiver commitment for Coach Holgorsen.
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What You May Have Missed:
Gold And Blue Now: Thursday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
WVU files a motion to dismiss the Big East's lawsuit against WVU and the Mountaineers prepare for their most important game of the season.
WVU embraces benefits of beer sales - Charleston Daily Mail
Luck said Wednesday that the net thanks to the introduction of beer sales was closer to the $750,000 range, thanks to sponsorships purchased by the vendors with pouring rights, deals that hadn't been done in the past.
College Football BlogPoll, Week 14: LSU Unanimous No. 1, But 'Bama Has Competition For No. 2 - SBNation.com
WVU checks in at #22
2011 Bowl Projections, Week 14: LSU-Alabama Rematch And The Rest - SBNation.com
Orange here
Mountaineers Earn Win Over La Salle - MSNsportsNET.Com
Led by sophomore guard Taylor Palmer’s 20-point performance, the West Virginia women’s basketball team defeated La Salle, 63-52, on Wednesday night at the Coliseum.
Huggins: ‘I think we’ll be OK’ - Times West Virginian
Bob Huggins made his annual visit to Fairmont Wednesday to tell the local natives about his newest West Virginia University basketball team — the one with seven freshmen and a huge Turkish center who has been helping the newcomers even more than expected.
Bulldogs will test young Mountaineers - Times West Virginian
The Mountaineers head for the road this week, playing Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Miss., an arena affectionately known as “The Hump.”
WVU guards key to Mountaineers' success - Charleston Daily Mail
"This is a lot different," Bryant [ed.] said. "We're up and down this year. We'll go up and down every chance we get to push it. We're going to push the ball and try to score easy baskets."
Practice Facility Photos 11-30-11 - Facebook
40 new photos from the almost complete facility....just a tad impressive, and by tad, I mean "Holy SHIT!!!"
Musings Of A Mountain Man: November 30, 2011 - WVillustrated
John Woolard discusses Bowl predictions and much more...
My experience in Morgantown - Herald Standard
A South Central PA reporter actually had a good time at the Brawl
NFL Week 12 Preview: What Former Eer Will Step Up This Week? - WVU Pros
Caleb's weekly preview
News of Note:
West Virginia vs. South Florida Game Preview - WVillustrated
In the final week of the regular season, the Big East Title has yet to be decided. West Virginia heads to South Florida Thursday night to take on the Bulls and if they win, they will be keeping a close eye on a few things that happen Saturday.
WVU wants to end losing skid in Tampa, earn BCS bowl berth - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia University football Coach Dana Holgorsen has spent this season insisting that not one game is more important than the other. This week he upped the ante for what happens tonight at Raymond James Stadium.
Last Men Standing - MSNsportsNET.Com
The last man standing gets the prize. At least that seems to be the case this season in the Big East.
It Comes Down To 2 Games - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
WVU, Cincy, Louisville can represent Big East
MUST-WIN SITUATION - Register-Herald
Mountaineers visit South Florida with BCS fate still up in the air
For WVU, it comes down to this - Charleston Gazette
Share of Big East title on the line as Mountaineers visit USF
Win tonight critical if WVU is to land big bowl game - Times West Virginian
The first axiom is that when a team reaches the crucial moment in its season — and no one will argue that the Mountaineers have reached that moment — you are supposed to “dance with the one that brung ya.” The second — again saved for exactly the situation WVU faces in this must-win game — is the cliché “there’s no tomorrow.”
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU hopes for Hollywood ending to this script - Times West Virginian
This, you see, is a team that thrives on adversity. It is a group of young men who need to feel a sense of urgency before they can reach the potential they possess.
West Virginia seeks Big East title with win against South Florida - Daily Athenaeum
The offensive line's job does not get any easier tonight against South Florida, who ranks first in the country in sacks with 38.
20 WVU Players Return to Sunshine State for USF Game - WVillustrated
The Mountaineers have not played well in Tampa over the years despite the added incentive of playing well in front of their family and friends. WVU is 1-2 against USF in three games played at Raymond James Stadium.
A second big game for WVU; comparisons; a rip - Charleston Gazette
Vingle's Notebook
Two QBs, stout line a challenge for WVU - PPG
West Virginia's regular-season finale at South Florida tonight is likely to come down to two keys.
West Virginia tries to close out South Florida - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Holgorsen and No. 22 West Virginia team expects another close one when it heads to South Florida Thursday for an 8 p.m. game at Raymond James Stadium.
USF, WVU headed in opposite directions - Big East Blog - ESPN
Before the season began, the season finale between USF and West Virginia was circled as one that would have an impact on the Big East standings.
Inside Receivers Coach Shannon Dawson - Mountaineer TV
Shannon Dawson talks about veteran defensive pressure from USF, and creating crucial one-on-one matchups against the Bulls on Thursday night.
Recruiting:
Texas Receiver Commits To WVU - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The Mountaineers pick up their sixth receiver in the 2012 recruiting class in wide receiver Jordan Thompson. The 5-foot-8 receiver is from Katy High School in Katy, Texas. He is the 22nd recruit in the incoming class. (includes highlight video)
Around the League (and Beyond):
Behind the Mic/Gary Danielson: Big East future looks bleak - SI.com
Gary Danielson discusses how the Big East Conference will respond to losing marquee teams.
Securing bowl bid is USF's biggest goal - Tampa Tribune
USF's Daniels feeling better as WVU game approaches - Tampa Tribune
An Open Letter To The Connecticut Huskies - Card Chronicle
As we've seen before (Big 12 anyone?)....Louisville fans aren't below begging.
Two QB system finally working for Huskies - Register Citizen
Will Butch Jones leave University of Cincinnati for bigger job? - Cincinnati Enquirer
QB spot worrisome for Graham - PPG
Mike Leach agrees to coach Washington State Cougars, sources say - ESPN
Swing your sword!!!
Behind scenes of first 48 hours of Rich Rodriguez's Arizona tenure - Andy Staples - SI.com
2011 College Football Coaching Carousel Tracker - SBNation.com
College Football Mailbag- Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
(23) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. South Florida Bulls - Preview - ESPN
8 pm tonight from Ray Jay on ESPN, ESPN 3D & ESPN3. WVU is giving 2.
Videos of Interest:
Red-shirt senior Eain Smith has seen a lot in his five years at WVU, but has made the most of his career, including two game winning plays in the 2011 season.
Here's highlights from the only time WVU won at USF:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Superawesome Sweet and Spicy Smoked Ribs
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons smoky paprika
- 3 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons of garlic powder
- 1/5 teaspoons of salt
- 3 slabs of pork spareribs
- 9 tablespoons good quality honey mustard (Boar’s Head brand , for instance.)
- Your fave BBQ sauce
Method
- Combine the brown sugar, paprika, pepper, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl.
- Take each slab of ribs and lay on a piece of heavy-duty tin foil large enough to wrap the entire slab tightly.
- Brush honey mustard on each side, then sprinkle both sides heavily with the dry rub.
- Repeat with each slab, wrapping each tightly and separately in tinfoil; you don’t want ice leaking into them in the cooler!
- Place the prepared ribs in the fridge, or, if you don’t have enough room (as we never do, prepping for a crowd), into a large cooler with ice or ice packs.
- On the morning of the event determine what time you want to get your grub on, and count back five hours. This is the time you need to have the grill up to temperature and ready to go.
- Half an hour before it’s time to start the ribs, start your charcoal and heat to 250 to 275 degrees; no hotter or you’ll burn the ribs or they’ll dry out!
- Once your grill is to temperature, place ribs (removed from foil) on the rack and close the lid. Check on ribs every half-hour to ensure they are heating evenly, flip them, etc. (Again, trust me, it’s worth it to check on them! Just keep drinking your beer in the meantime.)
- During the last half-hour, just when everyone is salivating at your side, transfixed by the smell of the ribs’ smoky sweetness, brush both sides with your favorite sauce. Then platter them up, and stand back — you’re about to be attacked as tailgaters rush to get their serving!
Reprinted from The Quad Blog
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is one of our favorite Victoria's Secret Angels. There are the videos below and you can also click on her picture for today's mega-gallery and the source link for a bonus gallery of Adriana Liima.
Miller High Life image via popsop.com
