Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Goose Island Beer Co.'s Oktoberfest.
What You May Have Missed:
West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme earning high praise - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
No. 22 West Virginia’s retooled defense is on pace for its best scoring average (27.1 points allowed per game) since 2011, and Gibson has earned plenty of credit for the turnaround.
WVU and Virginia Tech Announce Agreement - WVU Athletics
WVU and Virginia Tech have come to a mutual agreement called the Black Diamond Challenge
Black hat doesn't necessarily fit West Virginia coach Bob Huggins - FOX Sports
He’s well beyond caring too much about what other people think of him. He’s had a career that ought to warrant being named to every Hall of Fame there is, but we all know how reputations – fair or unfair – can linger.
Volleyball Downs Baylor for Road Win - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers took a 3-1 win in Waco on Wednesday evening.
Bevin Scores Twice in Win at No. 12 Penn State - WVU Athletics
Senior Andy Bevin netted two goals in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over No. 12 Penn State on Wednesday evening at Jeffrey Field.
Texas is not special for planning to pay athletes $10,000 - SBNation.com
All of the other top programs will be doing about the same thing.
#HOTTAKES Requested: Your Opinions Wanted - Corn Nation
We want to know what YOU THE FAN want to see in a national champion.
News of Note:
Oklahoma State Preview - WVU Athletics
West Virginia to battle Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Mountaineer Insider - WVU Athletics (autoplay audio)
This week's inside look at Mountaineer sports features an interview with Clarksburg's Mike Patrick, who is calling Saturday's West Virginia-Oklahoma State game for ESPN and a one-on-one with West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.
QB Curve: Clint Trickett, West Virginia’s Hair Raider - Grantland
Within the Big 12, he’s supplanted his more hyped counterpart at Baylor, Bryce Petty, as both the most prolific passer in the conference and the most efficient.
Love, Not Football, Defines Bond Between Father Rick and Son Clint Trickett - WVillustrated
WVU senior quarterback Clint Trickett is moving forward after a recent medical scare involving his father, Rick Trickett, following the win over Baylor on Saturday.
Trickett Happy Father Is Fine - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Clint Trickett was ecstatic.
Banged up Mountaineers reach into depth chart - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook
Holgorsen And The Evolution Of An Offense - BGN
It became clear, in a slap-upside-the-head moment against Baylor, that this West Virginia offense isn’t the Air Raid of Hal Mumme or Mike Leach or, even, Art Briles, Mike Gundy or Kevin Sumlin. This offense is, simply, Dana Holgorsen’s.
WVU's physical style under Holgorsen has roots with OSU's Gundy - Exponent Telegram
From Valdosta State to Mississippi College to Wingate to Texas Tech to Houston to Oklahoma State, Holgorsen was always on the offensive side of the ball
Casazza: Clay proves his worth for Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
Clay has had a serious impact on WVU’s evolving offense all season long, but especially lately.
Clay's hard-hitting approach pays off for Mountaineers - Exponent Telegram
Some people play football. Cody Clay plays demolition derby.
West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme earning high praise - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
No. 22 West Virginia’s retooled defense is on pace for its best scoring average (27.1 points allowed per game) since 2011, and Gibson has earned plenty of credit for the turnaround.
Dillon personifies Mountaineers’ defensive alteration - Charleston Gazette
In case anyone hadn’t noticed, K.J. Dillon has taken on a dramatically different role in West Virginia’s defense the past two games.
Mountaineer defense relies on fast feet - Martinsburg Journal
It’s hard to find 320-pound men who can run fast. It’s an even tougher task to assemble four of them together.
Hickman: Credit coaches for WVU’s defensive gains - Charleston Gazette
That should go without saying, but often it’s overlooked. That’s especially true in the Big 12, where defensive excellence is gauged far differently than some other places in the country.
WVU not satisfied after Baylor win - BGN
West Virginia had just come off one of the biggest wins it has had at home in about a decade with Saturday's 41-27 upset over then-No. 4 Baylor.
No time for WVU to get complacent - Daily Athenaeum
Now in its third season as a member of the Big 12, West Virginia University finds itself in an odd place heading into this week: The role of the hunted.
NDT Scouting: 10.18.14 Baylor at West Virginia (Mountaineers Player Reaction) - NFLDraftTracker
The West Virginia Mountaineers are a damn good football team.
Kevin White debuts on Kiper's Big Board - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Kevin White's stellar play this season is getting the attention of ESPN's experts, such as Mel Kiper Jr.
Expert Poll: Week 8 Heisman Trophy Voting - AthlonSports.com
7. Kevin White
Three non-quarterbacks who are having Heisman-worthy seasons - SBNation.com
Not that they'll win or even get invited, of course.
Week after week, senior receiver Kevin White proves why he is the best in the business - Daily Athenaeum
This year, White is realizing his potential, whether the nation has taken notice or not.
Return of DeVante Parker bolsters 2015 NFL Draft wide receiver class - SBNation.com
West Virginia's Kevin White has already emerged from moderate obscurity this college football season as a top wide receiver prospect for the 2015 NFL Draft.
TCU, West Virginia have arrived as Big 12 contenders - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Before the season, we wondered if West Virginia would ever be able to cut it in the Big 12. We also pondered whether TCU was just simply out of its league.
Recruiting:
Miramar star receiver ineligible, ousted coach says - Sun Sentinel
On the heels of the resignation of Matt Strout from Miramar late Tuesday come allegations by the school's former head football coach that at least one Patriots player suited up this season and has been playing while academically ineligible.
Pro News:
J.T. Thomas finding a spot with the Jags - WVUPros
Now, things are a bit different.
"Mountaineer" Trickery Earns Stedman Bailey Special Teams Player - WVillustrated
Second year pro scores on wild punt return to earn the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor after defeating the defending Super Bowl champs.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Big 12 predictions: Week 9 - FOX Sports
West Virginia 41, Oklahoma State 31
Big 12 Week 9 Preview and Predictions - AthlonSports.com
1. West Virginia (+1) at Oklahoma St 3:30 p.m., ESPN
In playoff race, Bears must have help from above - Waco Tribune
CFTV: Lazard and Richardson see improvement in offense - Cyclone Fanatic
Cummings-King connection pays off for KU football - Lawrence Journal World
Travis Britz finds groove on defense, special teams at Kansas State - Wichita Eagle
Jay Norvell praises Dorial Green-Beckham - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Texas QB Jerrod Heard getting significant reps in practice - Burnt Orange Nation
TCU Will Change Sideline Signals For Texas Tech Game - Frogs O' War
Texas Tech football notes - Lubbock Avalanche Journal
#DearAndy: Breaking down your College Football Playoff, coaching carousel questions - Andy Staples - SI.com
What would Kevin White have to do the rest of the season to win the Heisman?
Mandel's Mailbag: Oklahoma fans deserve more out of Bob Stoops - FOX Sports
Video of Interest:
Casazza's Video Notebook
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is an American beauty who's video below is just...hell, just watch it. You'll thank me later. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Ana Cheri.