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 Boulevard Brewing's Double Wide IPA, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
While WVU still has to wait until Sunday, 3 of our Big East brethren kick off their seasons tonight. Today we have more on the Mountaineer Mantrip and the proposed new cheer (it's better than I thought it would be) along with plenty of BE previews and Heisman watch lists. Conference re-alignment will likely continue to be a topic discussed until the FBS has 4 super-conferences and the have nots. Back on the round-ball side of things, the 2011-2012 schedules were released yesterday for both teams and WVU looks to be on ESPN quite a bit.
What You May Have Missed:
Thursday's Episode: Gold And Blue Now - WVMETRONEWS.COM
In the fourth episode of MetroNews Television's "Gold and Blue Now" the gang continues to breakdown the Marshall game and goes inside the numbers of Dana Holgorsen's offense. Marshall head coach Doc Holliday talks about returning to Morgantown and Chip Fontanazza talks about WVU quarterback Geno Smith's relationship with Thundering Herd starting quarterback Rakeem Cato [ed.].
2011-12 Hoop Schedule Released - MSNsportsNET.Com
Women's 2011-12 Hoop Schedule Released - MSNsportsNET.Com
Coal from Upper Big Branch Mine Arrives in Morgantown - WVillustrated.com
Block, not lump
Blog: Campus Connection - 08/31/11 - MSNsportsNET.Com
RB's will do more than run with and catch the ball and more on the "BLOCK" of coal
Mountaineer Mantrip to debut Sunday - Charleston Daily Mail
The Mountaineers won't be chugging along to get to Milan Puskar Stadium on Sunday, but they'll be walking from the corner of Don Nehlen and Medical Center drives to the field along the pathway that divides the Blue Lot and the Light Blue Lot.
10 other than Andrew Luck who can win in 2011 - Cory McCartney - SI.com
Geno makes the top 10 here
P.S.R. 2011 Heisman Watch: Preseason - Pre-Snap Read: A College Football Blog
Bruce and Geno both make the "Just missed the Top Ten" portion of the list
Women's Soccer: Top 25 Battle Thursday - MSNsportsNET.Com
The No. 25 West Virginia women’s soccer team plays host to No. 18 Ohio State on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
News of Note:
Holgorsen sentimental over Sunday? Not at all - Charleston Gazette
Yep. Bill Stewart is gone. No reminiscing about the hometown. No yarns. No lubing of worlds or matching of mountains. Holgorsen will be focusing on the task at hand. "That's the only way I know how to do it," said the Mountaineer coach. "Getting all sentimental doesn't do any good. It's going to be as routine as can be."
Holgorsen always makes it interesting - Register-Herald
Dude named Dana, unlike many coaches, gives good answers to questions and doesn’t give you an hour’s worth of noise without saying anything.
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU can’t start flat against Herd - Times West Virginian
They had everything to gain, nothing to lose, while it was exactly the other way for West Virginia. That, in many ways speaks to why the Mountaineers never really wanted this rivalry and why it will soon die a quiet death without anyone weeping in Morgantown.
Captain Facilitator - Charleston Gazette
Smith says he’ll make sure WVU’s enthused, prepared
MU’s Cato a mystery to Mountaineer defense - Charleston Gazette
"I worry about him because I haven't seen him,'' Casteel said. "We don't know a whole lot about him.''
Irvin, defensive line ready to get after QBs - Times West Virginian
“Nah,” he said. “Once you see another color jersey on the other side of the ball, it gets you going real quick.” - Bruce Irvin
Defensive End Bruce Irvin - Mountaineers TV
Bruce Irvin talks about the experience he's gained over the past year, and the importance of matching the intensity of Marshall this weekend.
Lindamood in tight fight - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Battling to see action in West Virginia backfield
Fullback Matt Lindamood - Mountaineer TV
Matt Lindamood talks about this weekend's game against Marshall.
Herd adjusts return game without Evans - Charleston Gazette
Marshall coaches aren't concerned about the state of the kick return game, but the indefinite suspension of Troy Evans does force adjustments.
Grading the Herd - Daily Athenaeum
Positional grades
Big East predictions: Week 1 - Big East Blog - ESPN
I like where her head is at
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big East success, to Tournament mess? - Sporting News
Winning the Big East regular-season championship might be as prestigious an honor as a college basketball team can earn short of the NCAA title. But does one get in the way of the other?
Big East Basketball Schedule for ESPN - Big East Coast Bias
WVU gets 1 Big Monday appearance and 10 others by my rough count
Big East preview: League's reputation on the rise with coaching - Sporting News
Week 1 preview in the Big East - Rivals.com
Here Charlie Strong goes again: rebuilding the Cardinals - Courier-Journal
By keeping ball, UC can move it farther - Cincinnati Enquirer
South Florida DT Todd Chandler Ruled Ineligible, Skip Holtz Says - SBNation.com
Syracuse University football team needs offensive motor to hum this season - Post Standard
UConn vs. Fordham Football On For Saturday - University of Connecticut Official Athletics Site
Rutgers' Chas Dodd aims to bring stability to quarterback spot as season opens - Star Ledger
Big 12 Expansion: Interest In Pitt Heating Up? - Cardiac Hill
Texas A&M Leaves Big 12: Who Else Will the SEC Target? - International Business Times
A look at the possible targets...and yes, WVU is among them
Texas A&M And College Football Expansionapalooza: Who Will Be SEC's No. 14? - SBNation.com
The accompanying picture with the article says a lot
Greed is not good: Likely targets should say 'no' to SEC - Sporting News
And another look...with a different slant
Teel Time: VT spokesman calls Hokies-to-SEC buzz 'poppycock' - dailypress.com
This bodes well for those of us that hope for an SEC invite...but these types have people have been known to lie before.
OU to jump to Pac-12 Sooner rather than later? - CollegeFootballTalk
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Murray State Racers vs. Louisville Cardinals - ESPN
6 pm this evening on ESPNU from the Pizza Place. Cards are giving 30.5.
North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - ESPN
7:30 tonight from HPS Stadium on ESPN3. Rutgers is giving 43.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Syracuse Orange - ESPN
8 pm tonight from the Dome on ESPN3. Otto is giving 6.
Video of Interest:
Here's the "New Cheer" demonstrated (it's better in execution than in previous descriptions):
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Don Cheadle is Captain Planet:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is American model Maggi Caruthers. Click on the picture for a gallery.
via brosome.com
Boulevard Double Wide IPA image via fourfirkins.cloudprofile.com
