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 Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Dana Holgerson says Geno Smith should not blame himself for the Mountaineers recent struggles, Kevin Kinder tells us about recruiting junior college players, and Matt Humphrey discusses how he got to Morgantown.
Dana Holgorsen News Conference - WVU Athletics
Transcript and video (also embedded below)
Surveying the Field: The coaching good, bad and the ugly - CBSSports.com
Life is fickle in the college football coaching world. One day you're the greatest, the next you're the goat. Here's a look at who's been great, who's been bad and where it's getting ugly in the coaching world.
Not everyone is big on moving to the Big 12 - Hampshire Review
Furfari says the move to the Big XII is one more indication of how the university values athletics over academics.
Is grass greener, or more weedy, in new conferences? - USA Today
"Clearly, it's a very talented league,'' West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck said of life in the Big 12.
Is WVU basketball schedule too tough? - Charleston Gazette
This season, the Mountaineers again have a rugged hoops schedule. In 2011-12, WVU had the No. 23 toughest, according to the final Sagarin computer rankings.
Oregon, Kansas State may spark BCS debate; college power rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
#19
Big 12 Heisman Watch: Week 9 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
#2
2012 Heisman Watch - Heisman Trophy Candidates - ESPN
#6
Pro Football Update - WVU Athletics
Pro Football Update: Week 7
Leach (Kelly) V. Holgorsen, Week 8: The Real Guru Joins The Party - Football Study Hall
With Mike Leach’s Washington State Cougars on a much-needed bye, we decided to look at another offensive-minded Pac-12 squad in this week’s piece: the Oregon Ducks.
WVU Women's Soccer Interviews - WVillustrated
Members of the women's soccer team discuss their Big 12 regular season title and the upcoming Big 12 tournament.
Rifle Remains No. 1 - WVU Athletics
The WVU rifle team is ranked No. 1 for the third straight week.
News of Note:
WVU must salvage season quickly - Daily Athenaeum
After two consecutive losses by a combined 76 points, the West Virginia Mountaineers’ season is indeed in turmoil, but it’s certainly not over yet.
Everybody at fault for West Virginia's stumbles - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The blame, said Holgorsen, falls on everyone -- himself, his staff and every player.
It's Not All Geno's Fault - WVMETRONEWS.COM
"Me and him have talked, and he doesn't need to say that," Holgorsen said
‘This falls on all our shoulders’ - Times West Virginian
Holgorsen: Smith shouldn’t bear burden of WVU’s problems
WVU Treats Bye Week Like Camp - WVillustrated
Welcome to West Virginia football camp version 2.0. The Mountaineers enter the bye week reeling after two consecutive blowout losses and the search for answers is in full swing.
Bye week a busy time for West Virginia - Daily Athenaeum
As most teams do, West Virginia will utilize the off weekend to spend some time recruiting – something Holgorsen said is a primary focus.
Holgorsen says focus of off week will be fundamentals - Charleston Daily Mail
"The routine will be about the same, but the mentality will be a little different."
Work To Do - BGN/AP
The defense stinks. The offense is stuck in neutral. Every game from here on out is a must-win or No. 25 West Virginia will likely fall short of its preseason goal of going to a BCS bowl.
WVU’s off-week plan a little different this time - Register-Herald
So with a different scenario in front of it, WVU’s coaching staff has a different plan in store for this bye-week.
WVU must mature - Martinsburg Journal
"We have to improve ourselves each and every day," Holgorsen said. "We must get ourselves in that position."
WVU Defense By The Numbers - WVillustrated
The WVU defense ranks among the worst in the nation in several categories. It is on pace to be the worst defense in school history.
Around the League (and Beyond):
First Look: Baylor Bears vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Our Daily Bears
Cyclones try to establish an identity on offense - Des Moines Register
Michael Cummings To Start At Quarterback Vs. Texas - Rock Chalk Talk
David Ash Ahead Of Schedule - Burnt Orange Nation
No one knew how bad of an injury J.W. Walsh had suffered until Sunday - Oklahoman (autoplay video)
Collin Klein Heisman Watch (Week 8) - Bring On The Cats
Sooners Defensive Tackle, Stacy McGee, Reinstated - Crimson And Cream Machine
Gary Patterson Press Conference - Frogs O' War
Red Raider Gridiron | Injury Updates and Team Must Be Prepared - Viva The Matadors
BMOC salutes Texas Tech Red Raiders, Heisman race, Jeff Driskel and more - ESPN
What's On Tap:
Volleyball Hosts Dig Pink Match - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University volleyball team begins the second half of Big 12 Conference play by hosting the No. 16 Kansas State Wildcats on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum.
WQCW to Air Big 12 Basketball - WVU Athletics
The Tri-State’s CW, today announced an agreement with ESPN Regional Television to broadcast Big 12 men’s basketball games beginning in January, 2013 in the Charleston/Huntington markets.
Video of Interest:
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen's Tuesday afternoon remarks at the Milan Puskar Center.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a British tabloid model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Alice Goodwin.