Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (11/21/12) Edition

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 Bootlegger's Brewery Plum Riot Ale, in preparation for this week's Riot Bowl.

Programming Note: We will have a Shotgun/Throwdown and a couple of other things for your entertainment tomorrow as well.

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Now: Wednesday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Shannon Dawson, Karl Joseph and Eric Heft preview the Black Friday match up between the Mountaineers and Cyclones.

‘Challenging and Exciting’ - Register-Herald
Notebook

TheSignalCaller.com - THE WATER COOLER: TAVON EDITION
Abpriddy's recap contribution from his other site

In Memory of the Brawl - WVMETRONEWS.COM
For the first time since 1942, there is no Pitt-West Virginia clash.

WVUPros in the NFL: Week 11 Recap - WVU Pros
Our weekly recap of WVUPros in the NFL.

Pro Football Update - WVU Athletics
Fifteen former West Virginia University football players are currently on NFL rosters, while one is on a practice squad roster.

News of Note:

Holgorsen has backing of top coach - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Cogdell said he understands why McCartney left and that it doesn’t have anything to do with Holgorsen or the program.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Does WVU trio belong in Heisman race? - Times West Virginian
“It is the best player in the country. With that said, a lot has to do with timing, and a lot has to do with playing well at the right time. You have to win games, and that is just reality.”

Austin is always in motion - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Mountaineer deserves Heisman consideration

Unsung Heisman contenders - Rivals.com Video
Yahoo! Sports' Eddie George thinks these players aren't getting the attention they deserve.

West Virginia standout Austin will keep getting plenty of touches - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Austin’s record-setting performance in the Mountaineers’ 50-49 loss to Oklahoma sent shock waves throughout college football.

Tavon Austin could be the best senior wide receiver in the 2013 NFL Draft - SBNation.com
Tavon Austin blew up the Oklahoma defense for 344 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards on Saturday night. He showed skills at running back that suggest he can make an impact at wide receiver in the NFL.

WVU is slight favorite against Iowa State - Inter-Mountain
The Mountaineers (5-5, 2-5) have been installed as a one-point favorite to snap their five-game losing streak and become bowl-eligible with a sixth victory.

West Virginia vs. Iowa State Game Preview - WVillustrated
After yet another heart breaking loss at home, the Mountaineers head back on the road to try and snap their five-game losing streak.

Bailey inching up record lists - Charleston Daily Mail
By himself, West Virginia receiver Stedman Bailey has already caught more touchdown passes this season than 64 other teams. His 20 receptions in the end zone are a single-season record at the school and the most in the nation.

Help needed on the corner - Charleston Gazette
WVU's different combinations have yielded same dreadful results

WVU corners get college crash course - Times West Virginian
“This is a tough league to play corner in — you have some pretty good receivers, so it is a tough league to play corner.

Iowa State linebackers two of a kind - Charleston Daily Mail
They arrived at Iowa State at the same time in the summer of 2009 and realized immediately they had a problem.

Recruiting:

Macon Re-Signs with WVU - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Macon, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward from Columbus, Ohio, originally committed to West Virginia last year, but had to attend prep school because of grades.

WVU men, women sign three more - Times West Virginian
West Virginia University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams continued a successful recruiting season Tuesday, announcing the signings of three new players.

Around the League (and Beyond):

The Big 12 Primer: Week 13 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

First Look: Baylor Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders - Our Daily Bears

5 questions and answers about the Cyclones - Des Moines Register

Weis, KU football thankful for bye week over holiday - Lawrence Journal-World

Cats still have a lot to play for - Manhattan Mercury

Oklahoma DC Mike Stoops got ripped by his big brother on sideline of West Virginia game - Oklahoman

FUN BEDLAM FACTS - Cowboys Ride For Free

Texas Longhorn-TCU Horned Frog Game Preview: Thanksgiving Football - Barking Carnival

Keys to the Game: TCU vs. Texas - Frogs O' War

Stats That Matter | Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Baylor Bears - Viva The Matadors

College Football Power Rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com

Realignment

The National, 11/19/12: Carousel. - Bring On The Cats
The wheels of realignment are spinning again, and Jon explains why it's imperative for the Big 12 to get off the pot immediately.

Hey Big 12: You Are Still Solid With 10, For Now - Frogs O' War
With the tidal waves of conference realignment once again starting to breach the walls, many are talking about the need for the Big 12 to expand and add two, four or six more member institutions. But, unless those teams include Florida State or Clemson, the answer for now should remain a solid no.

Mountaineers made the right move at right time - Charleston Daily Mail
Let's pretend, for a moment, that the Big 12 grant-of-rights arrangement that handcuffs West Virginia University to its new brethren, didn't exist.

What's On Tap:

Returned Kansas Tickets on Sale - WVU Athletics
Mountaineer ticket office will be open on Monday, Nov. 26 for sales.

Video of Interest:

WVU men's basketball head coach Bob Huggins discusses the 2012-13 Mountaineers and their upcoming trip to the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla.

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Hump Day Video of the Week:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is an SI Swimsuit model (<===Bonus link), one of my personal favorites and a riot to follow on Twitter @chrissyteigen. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Chrissy Teigen.