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 Bohemia, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.
The big news, if you've been following the Twitter feeds into the late hours last night, like I have, is Texas A&M being approved to the SEC. But, BUT...this is being contingent on the Big XII not suing and Baylor is being a little bitch. More importantly to us as WVU fans/alums: It was also being reported last night that when A&M was approved, Mike Silve was given authority to negotiate with Missouri and WVU for the golden ticket as the SEC 14th member. It could get very interesting very soon.
The weekly polls returned yesterday and WVU made a move in both. Several other unofficial polls of interest were also released, along with BE power rankings. Blocking and the running game is the topic du jour today. We also have yesterday's presser with Coach Holgorsen along with video interviews with several players and Coach Lockwood.
What You May Have Missed:
Football: Coach Holgorsen News Conference - MSNsportsNET.Com
Transcript here, video embedded below
Mountaineers See Program Growth Under Holgorsen - WV Illustrated
But this is something that has been evident to the players on his team since the day he took over back in June. He had a plan for his first head-coaching job. It wasn't simply to win games and to build a résumé, but rather to build a program.
WVU An Attractive Option For SEC - BGN
There’s nothing but talk at this point, and the old saying would have you believe talk is cheap. But multiple reports Tuesday indicated West Virginia could be on the radar to join Texas A&M as new members of the Southeastern Conference.
WVU's Luck shares thoughts on conference realignment - Charleston Daily Mail
"It seems the next step is just a formal acceptance of A&M into the SEC," Luck said Tuesday. "I've heard various things, so let's assume that happens in the next day, or this week, I think. After that, I think most of the action would be in the Big 12."
Big East, WVU and conference realignment - Charleston Gazette
HERTZEL COLUMN: Luck stunned by lack of NCAA rule regarding weather - Times West Virginian
In light of our discussion in the FanPost area
2011 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 2 - ESPN
#19 AP & #24 Coaches
NCAA College Football Power Rankings Week 1 - ESPN
#18 here
College Football Power Rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
Staples compares the teams to TV shows, and if you've been around here long, you know that I LOVE the show he compares WVU to as his #17
UNCLE DANA IS IN ALL YOUR BEST FAMILY PHOTOS - Every Day Should Be Saturday
Bravo...
Men's Soccer Moves Up In Polls - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The West Virginia University men’s soccer team is ranked No. 9 in the Soccer America poll released today. WVU also holds No. 10 and No. 12 rankings in the CollegeSoccerNews.com and National Soccer Coaches Association of America polls, respectively, that were released today.
Inside the 18 - Mountaineer TV
This week's inside look at Mountaineer men's and women's soccer.
News of Note:
For whom is WVU preparing? - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Is it really Norfolk St? Or more likely fine tuning things to prepare for the Twerps?
WVU football: Adrian returns to old stomping grounds - Charleston Daily Mail
Norfolk St's Coach Pete Adrian played for the Mountaineers
WVU football: Backfield’s depth could be thin for No. 19 Mountaineers against Norfolk State - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
Blocking deficiencies take toll on offense - PPG
There is one clear message Dana Holgorsen will try to get across to his offense at West Virginia this week. It starts with a B and ends with a better running game: Blocking.
WVU renews its emphasis on better blocking - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Mountaineers, who moved up to No. 19 in this week's Associated Press poll, struggled to block Marshall effectively and look to improve this week.
WVU looks for better blocking against Norfolk State - Times West Virginian
“Some of the running game problems were the running backs not blocking for the other backs,” Holgorsen said. “Some of the running game problems were inside receivers not blocking for the running backs. Their blocking was just as bad as the offensive line’s blocking.”
Video: Football Interviews 9/6 - BGN
Coach Lockwood, Bitancurt, Garvin, Eger, Bailey and Julian
WVU Football Interviews: Norfolk State Week - WV Illustrated
Julian, Rigg, Garvin, Coach Lockwood, Pat Miller and Eger
Wide Receiver Stedman Bailey - Mountaineer TV
Stedman Bailey talks about his performance during Sunday's game against Marshall, and the areas he wants to improve on.
Video: Ivan McCartney a pleasant surprise - Big East Blog - ESPN
Andrea Adelson discusses how West Virginia wide receiver Ivan McCartney was a pleasant surprise on opening weekend.
WVU Music Video Highlights: Marshall Game - WV Illustrated
It was one of the most bizarre game days in WVU history, but the end result was a W, and that's all that really matters to the Mountaineers. Relive some of the biggest plays from WVU's 34-13 victory in the 2011 season opener.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Texas A&M, SEC Face One Last Hurdle: Mighty Baylor - SBNation.com
According to reports from all over, the SEC has decided to accept the Texas A&M Aggies, who in turn are set to announce the announcement (yes, that's how it works) any minute now. But according to Chuck Carlton, Billy Liucci, Jimmy Burch and Chip Brown, one item remains: making sure the Baylor Bears don't sure.
Texas A&M-to-SEC could happen Wednesday; then dominoes fall - Andy Staples - SI.com
The Backdoor to Big East Expansion Could Be Opening Soon - Big East Coast Bias
Backdoor exits are possible too
Big East Football Power Rankings: Week 2 - The UConn Blog
West Virginia holds on to the top spot. Barely.
Big East power rankings: Week 2 - Big East Blog - ESPN
Still on top
Syracuse vs. Rhode Island: Chandler Jones 'Out Until Further Notice' - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Chandler, Ri'Shard Anderson and Olando Fisher are "out until further notice."
Charlie Strong press conference notes - Card Chronicle
North Carolina's Quinton Coples will be a challenge for Rutgers to stop - Star Ledger
Pitt Vs. Maine: Black Bears Should Provide Tune Up Before Iowa Game - Cardiac Hill
Tennessee’s speed concerns Jones - Cincinnati Enquirer
Healthy Young makes an impact with Bulls - Tampa Tribune
Video of Interest:
Here's part 1 of HCDH's press conference from yesterday. Part 2 is linked HERE.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
This piece of genius comes from our SB Nation cousin that covers Syracuse, Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician:
What If Everything Worked Like BCS: The Spelling Bee from sanjeev tandle on Vimeo.
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is Brazilian beauty, Gabriela Rabelo. As always, her picture links to the promised land.
Bohemia image via gallafent.files.wordpress.com
