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 Hacker Pschorr's Original Oktoberfest.
What You May Have Missed:
Luck to Help Pick Playoff Field in '14 - WVU Athletics
Committee to begin work for 2014 season.
Luck: Committee members used to making tough decisions - Charleston Gazette
"I think technology and shrinking those games down to the actual plays will allow us to probably watch a lot more football than the average fan who sits through a 3- or 31/2-hour game."
Luck takes seat on college playoff panel, becomes privy to historical headache - WV MetroNews
WVU's athletics director among 13 committee members who will choose college football's final four next season.
Volleyball Sweeps Robert Morris - WVU Athletics
3-0 (25-21, 25-13, 25-19) on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum.
Rifle Ranks No. 4 - WVU Athletics
The WVU rifle team moved up one spot to No. 4 in this week's CRCA Poll.
News of Note:
Wednesday Walkthrough: Texas Tech - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
It’s the director’s cut because for some reason I can’t trim the length before and after it.
Texas Tech game critical to WVU’s bowl chances - Daily Athenaeum
As it stands, No. 16 Texas Tech is the only ranked team left on West Virginia’s schedule. Don’t let that fool you. The road to bowl eligibility for the Mountaineers is still tough.
Holgorsen not one to mince his words - Charleston Daily Mail
"Atrocious," he said.
WVU taking stock at the midpoint and it isn't pretty - Charleston Gazette
"Offensively, we've been sub-par at everything, so there really aren't any tendencies. The only tendency is that we really are not great at anything.''
Holgorsen still looking for answers at QB spot - Register-Herald
seven weeks into a season usually isn’t a good time to have a three-man contest still being settled.
Mountaineers' defense logs lots of snaps - Charleston Daily Mail
The Mountaineers (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) have played 441 snaps on defense and Saturday they play host to a Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0) that averages 90 snaps per game and has had 100 and 101 the past two games.
Improvement, Mental Toughness Key - EerSports
Coordinators Shannon Dawson and Keith Patterson talk with the media about improving the team and the mental toughness necessary to keep every week.
Trickett Healing, Communicating Ahead of Tech - WVillustrated
Mountaineer quarterback encouraged by his health and sideline communication following much-needed bye week.
The Return of Kwiatkowski - WVillustrated
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Nick Kwiatkowski returns this weekend after nursing a hamstring injury suffered four weeks ago against Maryland.
HERTZEL COLUMN: Worley shows improvement, class for WVU - Times West Virginian
Mitchell was a late addition to Dana Holgorsen’s coaching staff, joining just in time to get in on the end of Worley’s recruitment, and he was amazed at what he found.
WVU hopes to turn tables on Texas Tech - Times West Virginian
“Coach Holgorsen’s been showing us that video every day,” said senior nose guard Shaq Rowell. “That wasn’t a good feeling, and I’m not going to lie about that. It was their homecoming, and they beat us 49-14, man.”
WVU players recall last game vs. Texas Tech - Inter-Mountain
"We almost had to fight a few of their fans (to get back to the locker room)," Rowell recalled. "The cop said if you don't feel safe, swing. I'm being honest. He said if someone comes up to you, swing. It was one of the Texas cops."
After destroying WVU in 2012, Amaro’s back — and even better - WV MetroNews
Texas Tech junior is far and away the nation's top pass-catching tight end.
Texas Tech can run it, too - Charleston Gazette
Ground game complements Big 12's top passing attack
Basketball
Huggins set to debut 2013 WVU - WVSports.com
West Virginia will answer some of the questions surrounding this team when the Mountaineers make their season debut Friday night in the Gold-Blue inter-squad scrimmage but others will remain.
Young Mountaineer basketball team makes its debut Friday - Register-Herald
On the eve of Saturday’s West Virginia-Texas Tech football matchup, Mountaineer fans will get their first glimpse of the 2013-14 WVU basketball team during the Gold-Blue Debut
BGN Video: A New Attitude - BGN
Browne & Adrian
WATCH: Men's Basketball Video Interviews - WVillustrated
Huggs & Adrian
Pro News:
The mystery of the incredible disappearing Tavon Austin - ProsReport
When the St. Louis Rams traded up in the 2013 NFL Draft to nab Tavon Austin with the 8th pick, people everywhere envisioned him as the next Percy Harvin.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Poised Bears give Briles confidence for next close game - Waco Tribune
Cyclones seeking way to utilize Wimberly while keeping him healthy - Ames Tribune
Charlie Weis Passes Offensive Playcalling to Assistants - Rock Chalk Talk
K-State works through another bye week - Topeka Capital Journal
Where Must The Oklahoma Sooners Improve Moving Forward? - Crimson And Cream Machine
Oklahoma State's J.W. Walsh: By the Numbers - Cowboys Ride For Free
Texas offense re-developing power running game identity - Burnt Orange Nation
Patterson: Pachall healing, return date unknown - TCU 360
Texas Tech Red Raiders defense surging thanks to 'money down' - ESPN
College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
What's On Tap:
Gold-Blue Debut Set for Friday - WVU Athletics
West Virginia University will tip off the 2013-14 men’s basketball season with the Gold-Blue Debut presented by Coke Zero on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum. Admission to the event is free with gates opening at 6:30 p.m.
Videos of Interest:
Tony Caridi speaks with WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen about the Texas Tech game and what the Mountaineers' plan to do to take down the Red Raiders.
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins provides an update on preseason practice.
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Jazz Hand!!!
CLICK HERE FOR BONUS FOOTAGE (You won't regret it)
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is another Brazilian. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Barbara Fialho.
More from The Smoking Musket:
- 2013 West Virginia Mountaineers Football Depth Chart: Updated For Texas Tech
- Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (10/16/13) Edition
- What Else Do You Want From Oliver Luck?
- Mountaineer Morning Links: Tuesday (10/15/13) Edition
- West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Game Day Information, Television, Radio, Gamewatches & More