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 Pike Kilt Lifter ruby ale.
Today we have more Big East expansion news, this time it's a BYU rumor (reportedly, they turned an offer down) and the ongoing TV contracts. The annual APR results are in and we see how WVU fared and how the recent defections of the basketball team will affect their score. There's some reactions to Talley's selection to the CFHOF and more high expectations/optimism on the coming football season. Have a great weekend everyone!!
What You May Have Missed:
Luck says Big East must find 'right' teams - Charleston Daily Mail
If only the Big East thought things out as much as Luck does
Five Teams Honored for APR Scores - MSNsportsNET.Com
The West Virginia University men’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s indoor track and field, women’s outdoor track and field and women’s soccer teams received public recognition today by the NCAA for their latest multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.
Mountaineer player exits could impact good APR status - Charleston Daily Mail
Under the APR rules, though, only Curry and Cottrill will adversely affect WVU's score.
Jay Jacobs: 'They have to move on' - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Jacobs offers his opinion on Pepper's transfer (includes podcast)
Tony's Thoughts on Dalton Pepper - WVMETRONEWS.COM
...as does Caridi
Calendar perfect for WVU basketball - Charleston Gazette
WVU will get three extra weeks of practice this year due to the European tour it will embark on
Catching up with Basketball Strength Coach, Andy Kettler - WVillustrated.com
Several of the new guys are already in town, working out plus Kettler breaks down how the workouts are structured and how they may differ for veterans and newcomers
WVU basketball: Mountaineers will face Mississippi State in Big East/SEC Challenge - Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia's men's basketball team will travel to Starkville, Miss., to play Mississippi State in the Big East/SEC Challenge. The Mountaineers and the Bulldogs play Dec. 3 at a still undetermined time, it was announced Thursday.
Talley's selection was long overdue - Charleston Gazette
"It's been a long wait, but like my dad always told me, anything worth getting or having is worth waiting for,'' Talley said. "I guess it took a while for me to get here and I'll appreciate it a whole heck of a lot more now than I would have probably earlier.''
Bills: 'Talley Well Deserving' - MSNsportsNET.Com
Former Bills teammates and coaches lay praise
Football: Talley, Nehlen Transcript - MSNsportsNET.Com
The transcript from the Darryl Talley/coach Don Nehlen teleconference regarding Talley's induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Congratulations! Darryl Talley - Mountaineer TV
Linebacker Darryl Talley became the 12th Mountaineer elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. - Highlight reel.
Former Mountaineers Reconvene in Morgantown for Pro Workouts - WVillustrated.com
With the ongoing NFL lockout, several players have returned to Morgantown to work out together and motivate one another
News of Note:
2011 College Football Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers - National Football Authority
Another full team breakdown
Dana Holgorsen Looking Forward to his First Fall at WVU - WVillustrated.com
DH is keenly aware of the BCS rankings
Inside the mind of WVU’s Holgorsen - Register-Herald
"I didn’t know what I was going to do until I was a senior in college. Once I was a senior, the guy I was playing for (at Iowa Wesleyan College) was Hal Mumme. And Mike Leach was on his staff as well. I kinda liked what they were doing, so I decided to give this thing a whirl."
Drinking the WVU Kool-Aid - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Expectations are riding an almost all-time high
Glass is half full at WVU - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Caridi made an appearance in Parkersburg and optimism was the major theme
Two Big East Centers on Rimington Watch List for 2011 - Big East Coast Bias
WVU's Joe Madsen is one
Big East Coast Bias on the Blatant Homerism Podcast - Big East Coast Bias
Listen as we break down the changes at UConn, West Virginia, and the potential for a Holgorsen coached Geno Smith to make a Heisman Trophy run.
Recruiting:
A Speedy Witt On The Mountaineers' Radar - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The Cypress Bay (FL) HS linebacker is getting a good look from WVU's coaches
Around the League (and Beyond):
Rumor: BYU Turns Down Big East Invitation - Big East Coast Bias
Big East Expansion Round-Up: Villanova, TV Contracts, and BYU? - Voodoo Five
Expansion Apocalypse: Countdown to 2015 - VUhoops.com
Your vote: Big East expansion candidates - Big East Blog - ESPN
Somewhat surprising poll results (at least to me)
Louisville football loses three scholarships - Card Chronicle
The old APR offense
Fun Stat Nerd Tidbit: Louisville - Football Study Hall
The Difference Between Brian Kelly and Butch Jones: A Word On A Photo - Down The Drive
PC vs. MAC
The future is now, and it's alphabetized - The UConn Blog
Pitt Football: Kolby Gray To Transfer ... To Baylor? - Cardiac Hill
Both the FB and BB team have been bitten by transfers of late
USF's Holtz planning return to Vero Beach in the fall - Tampa Tribune
The Bulls are headed back to Vero Beach for a second consecutive year for a portion of their fall training camp.
2011 Rutgers football post-spring depth chart - On the Banks
Why Is Kentucky Ducking Marquette? - Anonymous Eagle
NCAA president Mark Emmert directs Dept. of Justice questions to the BCS - Sporting News
Emmert also wrote that though the NCAA sponsors 89 championships in 23 sports, at no time has its leadership considered an official proposal for FBS football championship. The schools on that level have decided to determine a champion on their own.
Austin Box, Oklahoma linebacker, dies - Sporting News
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Sun Devils' sleeper potential, cause for concern in Stillwater; more mail
Video of (Dis)Interest:
They fall down...they ALWAYS fall down:
Kate Upton Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the long-legged, always lovely Blake Lively (Damn you Leo!). As always, her picture links to today's gallery:
Pike Kilt Lifter image via www.thebeveragestore.com
