The Shotgun/Throwdown: Big 12 Media Days (7/24/12) Edition

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You really get the feeling that the absence of lobsters in Dallas isn't creating a bad impression on the WVU beat writers who are experiencing the Big 12 Media Days for the first time. Impressed is a mild expression. Today's coverage is largely dominated by said Media Days, with photos, interviews and features galore. We also have a bit on the hoops schedule and the passing of another former WVU football coach.

What You May Have Missed:

G&BN: All Hype For The Mountaineers - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby addresses the television contract, Iowa State head coach Paul Rhodes compliments the Mountaineers and the entire league says Morgantown will be a tough place to play.

State of the Big 12 - WVUsports.com
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby addressed a packed ballroom at The Westin Galleria in Dallas Monday morning.

Why not make September count? - Charleston Gazette
Big 12 head wants to see early-season showdown games

WVU football: Toughening schedule point of emphasis for Big 12 commissioner - Charleston Daily Mail
He believes strength of schedule should and will be a significant factor in the process that selects the four teams to participate in the national championship series that begins in 2014.

Big 12 really is big - Charleston Gazette
Compared to the Big 12 football media days that began here Monday morning, the Big East event was public access TV covering a city council meeting.

Stoops: WVU, Big 12 a Good Fit - WVUsports.com
The highly successful Sooner coach believes the two programs will help keep the league among college football’s elite.

WVU’s non-conference schedule released - Times West Virginian
West Virginia’s 13-game non-conference schedule, released Thursday, includes the kind of games Coach Bob Huggins likes to schedule to test his team before it moves into conference play.

Jim Carlen Passes Away - WVUsports.com
Carlen coached West Virginia from 1966-69, guiding the Mountaineers to a 10-1 record and a 1969 Peach Bowl victory over South Carolina before moving on to Texas Tech.

3 Questions With Steelers Rookie Will Johnson - WVU Pros
We caught up with the Steelers rookie to ask him a few questions.

News of Note:

WVU set for first Big XII media day - Times West Virginian
On Monday, WVU’s football representatives get a taste of just how different the Big 12 culture will be from the Big East culture as they attend their first Big 12 media day.

Big 12 notebook: WVU's media turn comes today - Charleston Gazette
Holgorsen will be here today along with quarterback Geno Smith, wide receiver Tavon Austin, center Joe Madsen and defensive end Will Clarke.

Mountaineers quickly earn respect - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Mountaineers were tagged to finish No. 2 behind Oklahoma in a preseason poll released last week voted on by the league's media -- largely based on the team's prolific offense led by Smith, named the preseason player of the year.

WVU takes strong reputation to Big 12 - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
West Virginia hasn’t played a game in the Big 12 Conference, yet the Mountaineers have already generated water-cooler talk around the league.

WVU football: Rhoads says Cyclones, Mountaineers now rivals - Charleston Daily Mail
WRNL would agree

Anderson going in at No. 1 DE - Register-Herald
Depending on WVU’s opponent on a particular day, he also could line up at the linebacker position.

WVU’s Bailey expects more from ’12 offense - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
"People are still thinking today that was a fluke," said Bailey. "This is our second year in the offense. It can only get better."

3 Big 12 Teams Commit to Flying into WV Airports - WVillustrated
Rock said Texas Christian University, Kansas State and Baylor are all using the airport on game weekends.

Mountaineer Meets Big 12 Mascots - WVillustrated
Big 12 Media Days aren't just about the football players and coaches, but also the cheerleaders and mascots for each team.

'The Only Mascot In The Big 12 That Can Speak' - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
Barry Tramel interview with Mountaineer Jonathan Kimble

Photos: Lights, Camera, Mascots - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Lineman Pat Eger - Mountaineer TV
Offensive lineman Pat Eger discusses changes he's made during the off-season, and how he plans on leading his team to victory this season.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Wrapping up Day 1 of Big 12 media days - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
From newfound stability to TCU finding a secure home to OU shoring up its defense, David Ubben & Co. wrap up Day 1 of Big 12 media days.

Photos: Media Frenzy at the Big 12 - WVMETRONEWS.COM

Big 12 Media Days Interviews - WVillustrated

Photos from Big 12 Media Day - WVillustrated

TCU, Patterson set to climb the mountain - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

Big 12 Media Days: Remember the Oklahoma Sooners' last big win? Neither do they - Sporting News

Get ready for more silence on Texas QBs - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

No. 46: Baylor - Pre-Snap Read
Countdown continues with the folks from Waco

New Baylor Stadium: How an unlikely dream became reality - Waco Tribune

Oklahoma State QB Wes Lunt shows enrolling early can pay off - Sporting News

Iowa State football: Depth chart is released - Des Moines Register

Big 12 Preseason Football Poll Has Kansas Sitting In The Cellar - Rock Chalk Talk

Kansas State prepares to prove pickers wrong — again - Kansas City Star

Texas Tech Football Media Day Wrap-Up - Double-T Nation

What's On Tap:

2012 Big 12 Football Media Days - Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site
Links to live streams today and archives from yesterday. WVU is up at 10am today.

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a favorite in these parts. HERE'S today's gallery of Maxim's #1 hottie of 2012, Bar Refaeli.