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 Great Lakes Brewing Company's Oktoberfest Amber Lager.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Tuesday, Oct. 28 - WV MetroNews
WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen, talks about TCU quarterback Trevon Boykin and how he’s hurt the Mountaineers the past few years.
WVU AD Oliver Luck On Renewing Rivalry With Pitt: ‘We’re Working On It’ - CBS Pittsburgh
West Virginia University Athletic Director, Oliver Luck sits on the college football playoff committee and spoke with The Cook and Poni show on 93.7 The Fan about the upcoming decisions. Oliver is one of 12 committee members deciding who the four college football play-off teams are.
Make some noise: Playoff committee releases rankings to drive debate - WV MetroNews
When college football's selection committee releases its non-binding first draft, the dismay will be pitch-perfect.
The Cost of the Cost of Attendance - WVU Athletics
Big 12 explores key issues in college sports.
Mountaineers continue conference dominance - Daily Athenaeum
At this point for the West Virginia University women’s soccer team it’s become an old habit, but the feeling of winning a conference championship will never get old.
WVU looks for third-straight win, takes on Penn - Daily Athenaeum
West Virginia is coming off two wins against Penn State and Bowling Green, and its level of play has increasingly gotten better.
WVU’s Attea improves as season moves along - Daily Athenaeum
Junior Nikki Attea has started on the court for West Virginia since her freshman year, and aside from one exception, has played in every single match and set.
Bevin Named Athlete of the Week - WVU Athletics
Varsity Sports Report
WVU students camp out for ESPN College GameDay - Charleston Daily Mail
Tommy Skinner, Brittany Brown and Andy Thomas were the first to set up their tent Sunday in anticipation of Saturday’s ESPN College GameDay.
News of Note:
Roles reversed as Mountaineer defense, TCU offense take turn in spotlight - Charleston Daily Mail
One is doing it with breathtaking offensive exploits. The other is putting unshakable trust in a dominant defense.
Similar path to success for WVU, TCU - Charleston Gazette
TCU and West Virginia, shown playing last year, came into the Big 12 together and have risen the ranks of respect together.
Big 12 Teleconference: Holgorsen Talks Turnaround, Previews No. - WVillustrated
WVU Head Football Coach Dana Holgorsen spoke on the weekly Big 12 Teleconference on Monday, discussing the Mountaineers upcoming contest against No. 10 TCU this week.
Holgorsen Sees Similarities With TCU - EerSports
Three years ago, West Virginia and TCU were two teams with tremendous success that were looking for a new home. They both found it in the Big 12, but the first two years were anything but kind for the two storied programs.
TCU offense, West Virginia defense have upset status quo - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Three years ago, TCU and West Virginia weren't even in the Big 12.
WVU, TCU exceeding expectations in 2014 - BGN
Not many people expected Saturday's matchup between West Virginia and TCU to be one that could potentially have Big 12 Conference title implications.
TCU, WVU in 2014: Revenge of the 'upgrades' - FOX Sports
"It really is pretty neat to be able to have this matchup this weekend," West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. "We're kind of settled in a little bit."
After two-year struggle in Big 12, West Virginia’s defense starts to hold its own - Daily Athenaeum
Through eight games in 2014 however, the once toothless Mountaineer defense is starting to come together.
Previewing the Top College Football Games of Week 10 - AthlonSports.com
TCU-West Virginia, Utah-Arizona St. matchups on par with Stanford-Oregon
Do spread attacks make 100-point game inevitable? Holgorsen says no - WV MetroNews
TCU became the seventh FBS team to breach 80 points despite not scoring touchdowns on five drives.
How much, is too much? - Exponent Telegram
Hertzel's Notebook
Doubling White didn't work out for OSU - Exponent Telegram
Sometimes the best way to judge just how good a player really is comes on his worst day.
West Virginia's Dravon Henry is the True Freshman of the week - EerSports
Henry is the 247Sports National True Freshman of the Week for his efforts on the road in West Virginia’s 34-10 win and he’s a big reason why the Mountaineers are suddenly a major contender for a conference crown.
Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 10 - FOX Sports
4. West Virginia (6-2, 4-1.) Last week: 4.
Big 12 Football Power Index rankings: Week 9 FPI - ESPN
27. West Virginia +2
Step aside Mississippi, West Virginia is college football’s hottest state right now - CollegeFootballTalk
The following is a list of states with multiple teams in the latest edition of the Associated Press Top 25: Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.
Hickman: Is Herd where WVU was three years ago? - Charleston Gazette
Bear with me here for a moment because the juxtaposition of the two is what I find interesting, but it’s also rather subtle.
Week 10 Bowl Projections: Alabama, Georgia closing in on four-team playoff - Sporting News
Dec. 29: Russell Athletic Bowl: Duke vs. West Virginia
New College Football Playoff and bowl projections, now with more (sigh) Alabama - SBNation.com
Russell Athletic Louisville West Virginia 12/29/2014 Orlando, FL
Updated Depth Chart for WVU-TCU - EerSports
Shell & Chestnut are listed as starters once again after missing last week with injuries
Options galore for WVU - Daily Athenaeum
The Mountaineers have options, offensively and defensively, and it’s happening at the perfect time for them.
QBs Helping WVU, TCU - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Big 12 teams have typically gone as far as their quarterbacks have taken them.
Boykin a weapon at any position for No. 10 Horned Frogs - Register Herald
One of TCU’s biggest weapons last season when West Virginia visited Forth Worth, Texas, and managed to emerge with a 30-27 overtime victory, was wide receiver Trevone Boykin.
Recruiting:
Big 12 recruiting scorecard - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Here's what happened on the recruiting trail around the Big 12 this week
The latest with 2015 DE Channing Hames - WVSports.com
Video interview
Pro News:
NFL Week 8 Recap: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - WVUPros
Week 8 brought a little bit of everything for the WVUPros who saw action on Sunday. Here is a rundown of their performances.
Around the League (and Beyond):
Penalties: A Numerical Analysis Part One - Our Daily Bears
Moving past mistakes key to Richardson’s growth - Ames Tribune
Tony Pierson 'fine' as Jayhawks prep for Baylor - Lawrence Journal World
Get penalized at Kansas State, and Bill Snyder might put you out of your misery - SBNation.com
Sooners Injury Report | 10.27.14 Marks The Return Of Keith Ford - Crimson And Cream Machine
Chalk Talk: What's Wrong with this Offense pt.1 - Run Game - Cowboys Ride For Free
Texas Longhorns facing difficult path to bowl eligibility - Burnt Orange Nation
Why Gary Patterson, TCU Horned Frogs won't be celebrating 82 points - ESPN
Texas Tech's Redzone Offense - Viva The Matadors
Forde-Yard Dash: Campaigning for and against each one-loss contender - Yahoo Sports (autoplay)
What's On Tap:
Game Day Central - WVU Athletics
Game 9: No. 20/22 West Virginia (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) vs. No. 10/10 TCU (6-1, 3-1 Big 12)
Only Single Tickets Remain for the TCU Game - WVU Athletics
Only single seat tickets, no two together, remain for the West Virginia – TCU matchup at 3:30 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Ticket Information for VMI Game - WVU Athletics
Tickets will go on sale for the WVU-VMI men’s basketball game at the Charleston Civic Center Box Office on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The game will be played in Charleston on Wednesday, Nov 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Videos of Interest:
One of the key's to WVU's defensive success in 2014 has been versatile spur safety KJ Dillon. The hard-hitting junior from Apopka, FL is loving every moment.
And our buddy, Mike Casazza, dug this one up from preseason:
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is a gorgeous British model/actress. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Rosie Jones.