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 Gritty's Halloween Ale.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Dana Holgorsen, Gary Patterson and Brian Estridge in Wednesday's Gold and Blue Now.
Dana Holgorsen News Conference - WVU Athletics
Transcript here, embed below
2013 NFL Mock Draft: Chiefs Select Geno Smith with No. 1 Pick at CBS - SB Nation Kansas City
CBS experts project the Kansas City Chiefs to tab West Virginia Mountaineers standout quarterback Geno Smith with the top pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, which would fill a major need.
Power Rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
#18
Izzo-Brown Expects Tough Test From TCU - WVU Athletics
Team has spent the week in Texas.
Mountaineers must replace most of their point production - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia's first season in the Big 12 could be a test of coach Bob Huggins' streak of five consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament since taking over at his alma mater.
Murray looking to be answer - Times West Virginian
The man they needed was on campus. He just wasn’t eligible or physically capable of playing.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Staten adds new element to WVU - Times West Virginian
Transfer Juwan Staten from Dayton may be the missing ingredient that turns the Mountaineers from a borderline NCAA team a year ago to a team that looks as though it legitimately may develop into one with a chance to go deep into the tournament.
Pro Football Update - WVU Athletics
Pro Football Update: Week 8
News of Note:
WVU in need of win vs. struggling TCU - Times West Virginian
Holgorsen is hoping that his defenders find a way to reach deep inside themselves and close strong, for if not it could be a long, hard road to the finish.
TCU's Boykin still learning - Charleston Daily Mail
In the increasingly secretive world of competitive gamesmanship, TCU Coach Gary Patterson made the bold statement Tuesday that he expects his starting quarterback will be ready to play Saturday at No. 22 West Virginia.
Who'll start at QB for TCU? - Charleston Gazette
Not sure, but Holgorsen says it won't matter to WVU
DeForest Wants Defense to "Start Over" - WVMETRONEWS.COM
The bye week afforded West Virginia's maligned defense two potential benefits
WVU short on pass rushers - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
WVU has the lowest-ranked pass defense in NCAA football.
TCU planning late arrival for WVU game after storm - Charleston Gazette/AP
The Frogs will do their walkthrough, video tests and pregame dinner at home before flying directly to Pittsburgh and arriving at their hotel around 10 p.m. Friday.
Mountaineers try to stay healthy - Charleston Daily Mail
The second-year coach said safety Travis Bell (shoulder), linebacker Jewone Snow (shoulder) and cornerback Avery Williams (neck) are out for the season.
Holgorsen: Only result needs change - Register-Herald
"Hopefully we got refreshed and our mentality is good, our body language is good and our players are excited about playing."
Mountaineers clear heads after 2-game skid - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
WVU football notebook
"It's Not the Scheme, Stupid" - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Technically, he was commenting on TCU's defense, a unit lauded for being watertight in recent seasons but not so much the past two weeks when it has allowed 92 points. But essentially, Holgorsen likened the outcry in Fort Worth to the criticism his own defensive staff has absorbed in Morgantown.
Frogs Put Squeeze on QBs - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Notebook
Football Player Quotes - WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University football team addressed members of the media on Tuesday night.
Video: Football Interviews 10/30 - BGN
Geno, Coach Dawson, Coach DeForest & Madsen
WVU Offensive Video Interviews: TCU Week - WVillustrated
Coach Spavital, Geno, Coach Dawson, Squirt, Garrison & Woods
WVU Defensive Video Interviews: TCU Week - WVillustrated
Coach Patterson & Rigg
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 picture clearing up at midway point - Charleston Gazette/AP
Gary Patterson WVU Week Presser - Frogs O' War
2012 Baylor Defense On Pace to Set (Bad) Records - Our Daily Bears
Cyclones looking for another huge win - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Low penalties a positive for Weis' Jayhawks - Lawrence Journal-World
Ignoring buildup a stylish approach for K-State - Topeka Capital Journal
Bob Stoops not happy with Landry Jones bashing - Oklahoman
Are the Horns determined — or just in denial? - Austin American Statesman
Texas Tech notes: Ontiveros done for the year; Amaro's status unclear - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
The New Basketball Training Facility: A Journey in Pictures - Bring On The Cats
Looks kinda similar
Credit NCAA for overhauling enforcement process for violations - Andy Staples - SI.com
Violations will be separated into tiers; head coaches will be held more accountable
What's On Tap:
Women's Soccer Set For Big 12 Tourney - WVU Athletics
The Big 12 champion West Virginia soccer team will begin postseason play against TCU in the quarterfinal round of the 2012 Big 12 Soccer Championship at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Tomorrow’s match at Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas, will be streamed live by the Big 12 Digital Network on Big12Sports.com.
No. 17 Mountaineers ready to kick off 2012-2013 campaign with ‘Haunted Hoops’ - Daily Athenaeum
The No. 17 West Virginia women’s basketball team opens its 2012-13 campaign against Alderson-Broaddus in a special Halloween edition exhibition game tonight.
Video of Interest:
Dana Holgorsen's Tuesday afternoon news conference at the Milan Puskar Center.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Shades of Plaxico:
Halloween Hump Day Video of the Week:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown comes to us from Romania. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Madalina Diana Ghenea.