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 Bear Beer, in preparation for this week's opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Video: Baylor-West Virginia preview - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Top 25 teams collide in Morgantown on Saturday in West Virginia's first-ever Big 12 game against Baylor.
WVUSPORTSBUZZ - WVU Athletics
MSN radio analyst Dwight Wallace breaks down the Bears.
WVU hopes civility comes with new conference - Charleston Daily Mail
"I think that overall it's important to be more civil and to be gracious hosts," Wells said.
Big 12 Opener a Reminder of WVU's Growth - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Saturday is a historic day for college football in our state.
Leach V. Holgorsen, Week 4: The Protégé Cruises While The Master Stalls - Football Study Hall
West Virginia methodically rolled out a 31-21 victory, despite not playing at the level to which they are accustomed. Washington State, meanwhile, started out by playing its best three quarters of the season before its deficiencies were exposed.
Youth Leads Men’s Soccer to Victory - WVU Athletics
No. 17 West Virginia University men’s soccer team defeated Iona, 3-1, on Wednesday evening at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.
Bruce Irvin Helps Chris Clemons Win NFC Player of the Week Award - WVU Pros
Clemons tells us why Irvin helped him tie a team-record on Monday night.
News of Note:
West Virginia gears up for first Big 12 game - AthlonSports.com
West Virginia’s backyard no longer includes rival Pittsburgh, but rather a vast expanse of the Central Time Zone.
WVU set to play first league game as member of Big 12 - Herald Dispatch
"We are not playing the Big 12, we are playing Baylor,"
WVU football: Coaches' families ready for Big 12 debut - Charleston Daily Mail
Ashley DeForest is a freshman at Oklahoma State who finagled a schedule that has her off on Fridays. She'll take a flight Friday and travel to the WVU campus to root for her father, defensive coordinator Joe DeForest.
A Test, But Only The First - BGN
If West Virginia’s defense hopes to avoid the sort of shootout most seem to expect this week against No. 25 Baylor, it will have to contain a group of skill position players that is clearly better than any the Mountaineers have faced thus far this season.
WVU Secondary will be tested vs. Baylor - Daily Athenaeum
The No. 7 West Virginia football team will experience a few firsts Saturday when it takes the field against No. 24 Baylor.
Marquee Meeting - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
WVU’s Smith, Baylor’s Florence to battle
Geno Smith's worst is still very good - Charleston Gazette
"I mean, I know we're spoiled around here, but geez, that's still a pretty good day against a quality defense.''
Can WVU Beat the Blitz Deep? - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Maryland's blitz-heavy schemes may have provided a blueprint for containing Geno Smith and the West Virginia offense. At least until the Mountaineers make enough deep throws to counter.
Backfield in flux - Times West Virginian
RBs playing time up in air for Baylor
Will Alston be available? - Charleston Gazette
Mountaineers could use back's production
Maurice Zereoue Paving Own Path at WVU - WVillustrated
Younger brother of Amos Zereoue walks on in Morgantown after two years out of football, makes early impact.
Why gray and not Gold and Blue? - Register-Herald
Mickey's Notebook
Baylor athlete shines - Charleston Daily Mail
Expect Baylor cornerback Demetri Goodson to do fine if West Virginia tries any jump balls or pick plays Saturday.
Baylor Gone in 11 Seconds - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Eleven seconds from tackle to snap.
Recruiting:
Different States of Recruiting - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Saturday's West Virginia-Baylor game presents differing case studies in how the respective staffs attack recruiting.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 Notebook: WVU coach Dana Holgorsen ready for scoreboards to light up - CBSSports.com
The Big 12 Primer: Week 5 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Baylor vs. WVU Preview Part I: A Man Named Geno - Our Daily Bears
This is the year for Iowa State to do big things - Des Moines Register
Evaluating The Performance of Dayne Crist - Rock Chalk Talk
Kansas State has plan to get most out of bye week - Kansas City Star
Oklahoma's Owen Field Has Lost The Title Of "Toughest Place To Play" - Crimson And Cream Machine
TEXAS vs OKLAHOMA STATE PREVIEW, PART 2: Masquerading as a defense. - Cowboys Ride For Free
The Texas Longhorns Entering 2012’s Second Quarter - Burnt Orange Nation
Keeping Up With the (June) Joneses: SMU - Frogs O' War
Point of Attack | Texas Tech vs. Iowa St. - Viva The Matadors
First-and-10: Bill Snyder turning Kansas State into a powerhouse once again - Sporting News
weekly column...also #2
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Volleyball Takes First Big 12 Road Trip - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers (8-7, 0-2 Big 12) will start in Manhattan, Kan., with an 8 p.m. match against the Wildcats (13-1, 0-1 Big 12) on Sept. 27, before concluding its trip with a matchup with the Sooners (12-4, 1-1) on Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., in Norman, Okla.
Women’s Basketball Times Set - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University and the Big 12 Conference have announced the game times for the 2012-13 women’s basketball season.
Video of Interest:
MSN's Tony Caridi sat down with head coach Dana Holgorsen to discuss what he saw in the Maryland game and what the Mountaineers are doing to prepare for their Big 12 opener with Baylor for this week's United Playbook.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an English glamour model. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Abbey Clancy (new gallery, old video).