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 Purity Brewing Co.'s Longhorn IPA, in preparation for this weekend's opponent.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold & Blue Now: Friday, Nov. 7 - WV MetroNews
Chip Brown from HornsDigest.com informs on the state of the Longhorns. WVU basketball coach Bob Huggins discusses the upcoming exhibition against Shepherd.
No. 8 WSoc to Battle Texas in Big 12 Semifinal - WVU Athletics
Friday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m. ET, at Swope Soccer Village
West Virginia needs win to host MAC title game - Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia men’s team will travel to Western Michigan in what has become a huge game for both teams.
WVU Nine Days from Season Opener - WVU Athletics
The Mountaineers are putting the final touches on their preseason practice and shifting focus to next Saturday’s season opener against Eastern Kentucky in the Preseason WNIT.
WV's Holmes enjoying view from the top - Women's NIT
No matter the numbers she put up or the attention she drew on the basketball court, Bria Holmes never totally understood the shadow she cast upon the opposition.
VIDEO INTERVIEWS: WVU Women's Basketball - WVillustrated
Watch full video interviews with West Virginia University's Women's Basketball team.
WVUsportsBuzz Presented by U.S. Cellular - WVU Athletics
On this week's show the women's soccer team looks to capture its second straight Big 12 Conference tournament title. In addition, the novice rowing squad takes on Duquesne in its final fall scrimmage in Morgantown.
Humble Focus Toward Significant Impact - WVU Athletics
Student-athletes need to remain focused on the task at hand.
News of Note:
Musings, Matchups and More: WVU vs Texas - BGN
West Virginia needs to get the ball to its primary playmaker -- a task that it has failed to accomplish in its last two games. How then, can the Mountaineers utilize wide receiver Kevin White more effectively?
Big 12 players in Week 11 spotlight - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
West Virginia S Karl Joseph
Mountaineer Insider Podcast - WVU Athletics (autoplay audio)
This week's Mountaineer Insider Podcast features conversations with ESPN.com Big 12 blogger Jake Trotter and West Virginia University defensive tackle Kyle Rose.
Mountaineers, Longhorns focused on the lines - Charleston Daily Mail
"The plays change, but the constant is still from tackle to tackle, and that part will always stay the same," West Virginia defensive line coach Tom Bradley said.
WVU’s Trickett hopes to bounce back from rough game vs. TCU - Charleston Gazette
West Virginia’s Clint Trickett threw for just 166 yards last week against TCU.
WVU’s Trickett ready for Longhorns - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen noted quarterback Clint Trickett was 'spooked' during the Mountaineers' one-point loss to TCU.
FURFARI: Trickett should get Heisman votes; Wyant is critical of Holgorsen - Times West Virginian
No one really knows for sure who is in contention for the Heisman Trophy, college football’s highest honor.
WVU must get creative to get WR White the ball - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
What kept Shannon Dawson up this week after watching film of No. 24 West Virginia’s 31-30 loss against No. 6 TCU wasn’t what he saw, but what he didn’t see.
White Hits Speed Bumps - Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Teams find way to slow down WVU receiver’s fast start
Defensive difference WVU's best improvement - Exponent Telegram
A year ago, WVU ranked 93rd in total defense and the previous year it was ranked 120th, just four teams beneath it.
Cornerback Chestnut emerging to bolster the West Virginia defense - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
In the 36th minute of its ninth game Saturday, West Virginia recovered an opponent's fumble for the first time this season.
Special Teams Improving, Will Be Key Versus Texas - EerSports
For once Mountaineer fans were not doomed from lackluster special teams play, and instead got to witness the best performance from Joe Deforest's unit all year.
Texas needs to find footing at home - Charleston Gazette
At first glance, it would appear that Texas has a lot going for it this week against West Virginia.
Mitch’s matchups: WVU at Texas - Charleston Gazette
Prediction: WVU, 24-23 WVU barely wins in this Texas road house
Picks and Pontifications: WVU vs Texas - BGN
Oh so close. Not only the outcome of the WVU - TCU game, but also the fortunes of our panel, who saw their respective positions rise and fall as the winning Horned Frog kick squeezed inside the left upright. It's on to Texas now, with both team and pickers looking to recover from a tough week.
WVU prepares for talented Longhorn defense - Daily Athenaeum
Texas also owns the No. 9 pass defense in the nation, allowing just 177.3 passing yards per game.
Game Preview: Texas - WVSports.com
No. 24/25 West Virginia (6-3, 4-2) will look to put the past behind them this weekend when the Mountaineers travel to Texas (4-5, 3-3) to take on an improving Longhorns football team.
Holgorsen, No. 23 West Virginia heads to Austin, takes on Texas Saturday - Daily Athenaeum
Looking to bounce back from a last-second home loss to TCU last week, No. 23 West Virginia travels to Austin, Texas to take on the Longhorns Saturday afternoon.
Top 25 capsule: Texas at West Virginia - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
NO. 24 West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) at Texas (4-5, 3-3), 3:30 ET (Fox Sports 1)
Week 11 picks: Big Ten, Big 12 playoff hopes will be clearer - Sporting News
West Virginia at Texas
Mountaineers, Missouri close to finalizing football deal - Charleston Daily Mail
WVU last played a series with an SEC team in the 2010-11 seasons, when it lost a road and a home game against LSU.
Hoops
Bob Huggins Media Conference: Shepherd - WVU Athletics
Head men's basketball coach Bob Huggins addressed members of the media Thursday. The team will face Shepherd this Sunday in an exhibition game at the WVU Coliseum starting at 4 p.m.
West Virginia MBB Preview: Deep Team Gives Staff Optimism - Big 12 Conference
Veteran coach Bob Huggins believes his Mountaineers have the ingredients to return West Virginia to the NCAA Tournament.
2014 West Virginia men's basketball preview - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Seven months ago, it appeared West Virginia would open the 2014-15 season with one of the deepest rosters in the country.
West Virginia men set personal goals aside, want to dominate Big 12 - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"We've got to get more wins," he said. "That's the biggest thing."
Lineup could remain in permanent flux this season as WVU adjusts to matchups - WV MetroNews
Bob Huggins says the roster could have as many as 13 contributors, affording him mix-and-match flexibility.
Ankle will limit WVU’s Staten in exhibition - Charleston Gazette
Bob Huggins said Thursday that his West Virginia basketball team is ready to get its season started, but his best player isn’t.
Staten expected to play against Shepherd - Exponent Telegram
For the past couple of weeks, Staten has not been practicing with the team while he undergoes physical therapy on the ankle.
Huggs Likes Team's Fire, Talks Starting Five - EerSports
West Virginia's Men's Basketball team is coming upon their first open exhibition of the season this weekend, as they play Shepherd on Sunday evening. For Head Coach Bob Huggins, he feels it could not have come at a better time.
Sporting News' 2014-15 preseason All-Americans - Sporting News
Third team — Juwan Staten, West Virgina
VIDEO INTERVIEWS : WVU Men's Basketball - WVillustrated
Williams, Browne & Staten
WVSports.com TV: Basketball Interviews - WVSports.com
Huggs, Staten, Carter, Adrian & Williams
BGN Video: WVU ready for exhibition - BGN
Huggs, Staten, Adrian & Carter
A special signing, WVU hoops and a betting warning - Charleston Gazette
Ye olde notebook
Around the League (and Beyond):
Splitting the uprights: Bears Bears PK Callahan finds his groove after wobbly start - Waco Tribune
2014 Game IX: Iowa State at Kansas Preview - Wide Right & Natty Lite
5 Questions: Kansas vs. Iowa State - Rock Chalk Talk
Short memory helps Morgan Burns make plays for Kansas State - Wichita Eagle
Sooners stopping Baylor on third down will be a key - Oklahoman (autoplay)
Cowboys K Ben Grogan a Lou Groza Semifinalist - Oklahoman
Texas Longhorns vs West Virginia Mountaineers Football Preview - Barking Carnival
TCU football notes: B.J. Catalon has not practiced yet this week - Dallas-Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Red Raider Gridiron: Kingsbury Talks TCU's Offense; Thinking About Realignment - Viva The Matadors
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 11 - ESPN
What's On Tap:
(23) West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Texas Longhorns - Preview - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from DKR on FS1. Horns are getting 3.
(12) Baylor Bears vs. (15) Oklahoma Sooners - Preview - ESPN
Noon Saturday from Memorial Stadium on FS1. Land Thieves are giving 6.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas Jayhawks - ESPN
3:30 pm Saturday from Memorial Stadium on FSN affiliates. Cyclones are giving 3.5.
(7) Kansas State Wildcats vs. (6) TCU Horned Frogs - Preview - ESPN
7:30 pm Saturday from Amon G. Carter on FOX. Frogs are giving 6.
Week 11 College Football TV Schedule - The Smoking Musket
Here's your guide for watching all of the college football in week 11.
Video of Interest:
Tailgate Recipe of the Week
Texas-Style Barbecued Brisket
Ingredients
- 1 beef brisket (5 to 6 pounds), with a layer of fat at least 1/4 inch thick, preferably 1/2 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Directions
- Rinse the brisket under cold running water and blot it dry with paper towels.
- Combine the salt, chili powder, sugar, pepper, and cumin in a bowl and toss with your fingers to mix. Rub the spice mixture on the brisket on all sides. If you have time, wrap the brisket in plastic and let it cure, in the refrigerator, for 4 to 8 hours (or even overnight), but don't worry if you don't have time for this-it will be plenty flavorful, even if you cook it right away.
- Set up a charcoal grill for indirect grilling and preheat it to low. No drip pan is necessary for this recipe.
- When ready to cook, toss 1 1/2 cups of the wood chips on the coals (3/4 cup per side). Place the brisket, fat side up, in an aluminum foil pan (or make a pan with a double sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil). Place the pan in the center of the hot grate, away from the heat. Cover the grill.
- Smoke cook the brisket until tender enough to shred with your fingers; 6 hours will likely do it, but it may take as long as 8 (the cooking time will depend on the size of the brisket and heat of the grill). Baste the brisket from time to time with the fat and juices that accumulate in the pan. You'll need to add 10 to 12 fresh coals to each side every hour and toss more wood chips on the fresh coals; add about 3/4 cup chips per side every time you replenish the coals during the first 3 hours.
- Remove the brisket pan from the grill and let rest for 15 minutes. Transfer the brisket to a cutting board and thinly slice it across the grain, using a sharp knife, electric knife, or cleaver. Transfer the sliced meat to a platter, pour the pan juices on top, and serve at once.
Reprinted from Epicurious.com
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is another South African beauty and is best known for her SI Swimsuit work. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Genevieve Morton.