Mountaineer Morning Links: Iowa State & Davidson Gameday (11/23/12) 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 Eat Shit Pitt Lager, because good hate will never die, whether we play or not.

Marist Hangover/Davidson Preview:

West Virginia Scores 51 Points In First Half, Routs Marist - ESPN
Recap, stats, video, etc

Mountaineers Roll Over Marist - WVU Athletics
WVU gets 61 points from its bench in a 43-point win.

WVU Enjoys Fun Ride vs. Marist - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Freshman reserves Eron Harris and Terry Henderson scored 15 and 14 points respectively as West Virginia coasted to an 87-44 win over Marist on Thursday at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando.

Back On Track - BGN
West Virginia spent days trying to forget about its opening season blowout loss to Gonzaga last week, and it seems the Mountaineers have found its confidence.

Mountaineers get boost of confidence, win vs. Marist - Charleston Gazette
"I hope the confidence is there now," said WVU guard Jabarie Hinds afterward.

Freshmen Lead Mountaineers At Old Spice Classic - WVillustrated
A pair of true freshmen led the way for the West Virginia University men's basketball game in its opener at the Old Spice Classic.

Game Recap: WVU vs. Marist in Old Spice Classic - WVillustrated
The West Virginia Mountaineers force 23 turnovers playing tough defense, defeating the Marist Red Foxes 87-44 on Thanksgiving Day.

WVU men power past Marist - Times West Virginian
"He came out (after Gonzaga ) and harassed us and got us going," he said.

Watch Coach Bob Huggins' Postgame Press Conference - WVillustrated
Take a look at Coach Bob Huggins address the media following the Mountaineers win over Marist in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Florida.

VIDEO: WVU Men's Basketball Postgame Interviews - WVillustrated
Harris, Henderson & Hinds

Preview: WVU vs Davidson - BGN
West Virginia tries to advance to the finals of the Old Spice Classic, but a tough, experienced Davidson squad stands in the way of that goal.

What You May Have Missed:

WVU to Open Thanksgiving Classic with LSU - WVU Athletics
The No. 12/14 West Virginia women’s basketball team will open the FIU Thanksgiving Classic in Miami, Fla., at 8 p.m., Friday, against LSU.

Huggins' contract, recruiting and Tavon - Charleston Gazette
Vingle's Notebook

First-and-10 - Sporting News
At least somebody noticed (nationally), No. 10.

Relive Tavon Austin's Game vs. Oklahoma via Animated GIFs - WVU Pros
Tavon Austin's performance last Saturday was nothing short of amazing. We recap some of his best plays via animated GIF.

HERTZEL COLUMN: It’s far from perfect world - Times West Virginian
WVU’s Coach Dana Holgorsen made note of how reality differs from expectations when asked about the challenges that are presented in the Big 12.

No ‘brawl’ this fall - Inter-Mountain
With no Pitt in sight, WVU to face Iowa State

Rather than Brawl, Pitt and WVU go separate ways over Thanksgiving - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
This season marks the first time in 70 years that the schools won’t play in football, with both administrations chasing TV money and perceived stability in other conferences.

It’s been a long, strange season for WVU - Charleston Daily Mail
At least there's a link to the Backyard Brawl with Cyclones Coach Paul Rhoads.

News of Note:

Bits and Bytes: Iowa State - BGN
Our final collection of notes and stats before WVU tries to break its losing skid against Iowa State

PRE-GAME RUN THRU: CYCLONE EDITION - TheSignalCaller.com
Welcome to the PRE-GAME RUN THRU – not to be confused with a "walk-through." You don’t have time for that and neither does Coach Holgorsen! We’re hitting you with info as fast as you can take it…..we want TEMPO, TEMPO, TEMPO! Let’s get it rolling!!!

Big 12: Who will transform today? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Tavon Austin did quite the transforming act last week, shape-shifting into the Big 12's best running back for a week.

WVU trying to end slump versus Cyclones - Times West Virginian
West Virginia has five consecutive defeats dragging it down, the last victory having come on Oct. 6 at Texas.

West Virginia Seeks 6th ‘W’ - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Mountaineers trying to be bowl eligible

WVU ‘Ames’ to end skid - Register-Herald
Mountaineers visit Iowa State today still looking for bowl eligibility

West Virginia tries to salvage lost season - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Five games into the school’s longest losing streak since 1986, West Virginia’s players and coaches insist they still have plenty to play for.

Scuffling WVU faces Iowa State - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Rhoads wouldn’t commit to starting Richardson against the Mountaineers, but he did say the freshman had the edge over Jantz after his dazzling performance in Lawrence.

Cold, windy conditions await Geno, WVU in Ames - Charleston Gazette
The weather forecast, after several days of sun and temperatures in the 60s and 70s, calls for highs in the 30s and sustained winds of 20 miles per hour and more at kickoff.

Secondary issues dog Mountaineers - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Roberts said there is no fixed rotation for who will play, but the staff won't hesitate to make changes.

It's Time to Turn a Corner - WVMETRONEWS.COM
It's difficult to project who will start at cornerback today for West Virginia, and it's a foolish exercise, considering the overwhelming odds that a replacement will be inserted before halftime anyway.

Iowa State concerned about Austin - Charleston Daily Mail
Paul Rhoads probably deserved to enjoy last week's win longer than he did.

Iowa State’s defense becomes stingy in red zone - Charleston Daily Mail
On the surface, Iowa State doesn't fit your Big 12 Conference mold.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Two more chances - TheSignalCaller.com
Queen Carioca previews the four Big 12 games (published before Texas lost)

Instant Analysis: TCU 20, Texas 13 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Iowa State football: Defense worn but ready for West Virginia - Des Moines Register

OU Football 2012 | Bedlam Hate Week | Day Four - Crimson And Cream Machine

BEDLAM HATE WEEK OFFENSIVE PREVIEW 2: Running Back U vs Running Back Who? - Cowboys Ride For Free

Baylor Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Statistical Preview - Our Daily Bears

Waddle injury has Tech shuffling offensive line - Lubbock Avalanche Journal

Kansas News and Notes 11.22.12 - Rock Chalk Talk

Klein gets one final shot to become Heisman favorite - Wichita Eagle

The Walkthough - Andy Staples - SI.com

What's On Tap:

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Davidson Wildcats - ESPN
12:30 pm ET today from Lake Buena Vista in the Old Spice Classic Semifinals

StatMilk previews below, CLICK HERE for ESPN previews

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Iowa St. Cyclones
3:30 pm ET today from Jack Trice on ABC. Mountaineers are giving 2.

Baylor Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
2:30 pm ET Saturday from AT&T Jones on Fox. Bears are giving 3.

(21) Oklahoma St. Cowboys vs. (13) Oklahoma Sooners
Bedlam at 3:30 pm ET Saturday from Oklahoma Memorial on ESPN. Pokes are getting 6.5.

College Football TV Schedule
Complete TV schedule (all times listed are Central)

Videos of Interest:

Quarterback Geno Smith shares his thoughts on their game Friday afternoon against Iowa State, and wide receiver Stedman Bailey's finalist position for the Biletnikoff Award.

Wide Receiver Stedman Bailey discusses his nomination for the Biletnikoff Award.

Tailgate Recipe of the Week:

Bacon Cheese Dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 (4-oz.) package crumbled blue cheese
• 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce
• 4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
• Garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, blue cheese crumbles
• Assorted crackers

Preparation

1. Process first 5 ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Stir in half of bacon. Cover and chill 2 hours. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with remaining bacon. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers.

Reprinted from MyRecipes.com

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is an Australian VS Angel. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Miranda Kerr.