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Mountaineer Morning Links: Wednesday (8/27/14) Edition

Holgorsen's presser, player & coaches interviews, Bama previews, recruiting notes, WVU Pros updates, Big 12 roundup & more.

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What You May Have Missed:

Gold & Blue Now: Aug 27 - WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen addresses the media regarding the great opportunity to face the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff to open up the season. Also, the voice of the Tide, Eli Gold, breaks down the differences for Alabama’s offensive coming into the season.

It's a Wrap - WVU Athletics
Field wrap work continues inside Milan Puskar Stadium.

Big 12 Honors Women's Soccer's Maloney - WVU Athletics
Kelsie Maloney of the West Virginia University women’s soccer team has been named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Holgorsen, Huggins Shows Return to Kegler’s - WVU Athletics
Coach Holgorsen's show starts Thursday, Aug. 28.

News of Note:

Dana Holgorsen Press Conference - Alabama - WVU Athletics
Transcript and video here, video also embedded below

Holgorsen's Take: Alabama - WVSports.com
"A lot has been made about the quarterback spot. Too much has been made," said head coach Dana Holgorsen. "Two guys that will be able to run their offense."

Trickett expected to be able to adjust on the fly - Charleston Daily Mail
“Every time we’ve been good on offense in the past, there were decisions made by the quarterback that weren’t even in the read,” offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Shannon Dawson said.

WVU’s Trickett Discusses Alabama, Childhood Confession - WVillustrated
WVU senior quarterback Clint Trickett has become a leader through hard work, perseverance, and above all, personality.

Kiffen vs. Gibson an intriguing matchup - Exponent Telegram
This matchup instead involves two assistant coaches who find themselves clearly on the spot as the season begins, each a new coordinator at the school charged with lifting his unit back to heights it once enjoyed.

Mountaineers’ Week 1 opponent reloads with NFL-caliber talent - Charleston Daily Mail
Casazza's Notebook

Vingle: WVU’s challenge: Jimmys and Joes - Charleston Gazette
Somewhere, sometime, someone first uttered the phrase, “It’s not the X’s and O’s, it’s the Jimmys and Joes.”

Tide backs garner pub, but Seider says WVU ballcarriers ‘can play in the SEC’ - WV MetroNews
Running backs coach says the Mountaineers unit is talented enough to be compared with Alabama's.

McGill: Herd, WVU try to achieve the improbable - Charleston Daily Mail
That begs the question, at least from this columnist, which is more likely to happen: Marshall’s perfect season — from the last Saturday in August to a bowl game in December or January — or WVU knocking off the No. 2 Crimson Tide?

Holgorsen, WVU optimistic heading into matchup with Alabama - Daily Athenaeum
Holgorsen said the opportunity to begin the season with one of the most highly anticipated games of the first week in college football is something everyone in the Mountaineers’ program is excited about.

Alabama QB Blake Sims the favorite to start vs. WVU, Jacob Coker to play - CBSSports.com
Touted FSU Jacob Coker was expected to take over the Alabama QB job, but as of now fifth-year senior Blake Sims has the inside track.

Who’s up first for ’Bama? Holgorsen not dwelling on Tide’s QB decision - Charleston Gazette
Blake Sims has the edge in experience on Alabama teammate Jacob Coker in the battle for the QB job, but Tide coach Nick Saban hasn’t named a starter for Saturday’s game against WVU.

Alabama's Jake Coker, Blake Sims present challenges for Dana Holgorsen, WVU - WVUPros
With only four days remaining until West Virginia’s season opener Saturday in Atlanta, it’s still unclear on who will line opposite senior quarterback Clint Trickett for the Alabama Crimson Tide, whether it be senior Blake Sims or junior Florida State transfer Jake Coker.

Bama's deep backfield should take pressure off QBs - Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Whoever emerges as Alabama’s starting quarterback has a built-in safety net in the backfield.

Big 12 Roundtable: Week 1 storylines - ESPN
Who between West Virginia and Oklahoma State has the better chance to pull off the upset this weekend?

Holgorsen: Good Options at CB - EerSports
West Virginia Head Coach Dana Holgorsen says that while the team will welcome Ishmael Banks with open arms when Oklahoma comes to town in a month. Until then, however, he says he is not overly concerned with the second cornerback position.

Secondary is prime concern for WVU as No. 2 'Bama looms - Pittsburgh Tribune Review
“We're going to continue to monitor that this week,” said Holgorsen, who acknowledged the media want depth charts, but there is more to it than that.

Alabama Football 2014: Previewing The West Virginia Defense - Roll 'Bama Roll
Help Wanted: Changes are in store for WVU in 2014

West Virginia notebook: Aliquippa freshman Henry is a starter - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Dravon Henry’s previous snap came in the WPIAL Class AA championship football game on a snowy day at Heinz Field nine months ago.

Alabama’s Saban: Growing Up Watching WVU "Highlight of My Year" - WVillustrated
Alabama Head Football Coach and Monongah, W. Va. native Nick Saban recently spoke expressed his love for his home state, along with a closer look at Saturday's matchup.

Predicting The Big 12 - BGN
8. West Virginia

6-6 record is our pick for WVU - Times West Virginian
Well, it would appear the time is ripe to let our readers know how we think West Virginia will do on the football field this fall. We’ve given considerable thought to that subject and are ready to make a prediction.

West Virginia Illustrated Launches Mountaineer Game Day - WVillustrated
West Virginia Illustrated launches new show, Mountaineer Game Day, airing live each Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ET on all West Virginia Media Holdings stations and live again at 11:00 a.m. ET on Root Sports Pittsburgh.

Alford, Tyler ready for Atlanta homecoming - BGN
Mario Alford would act scenarios like this out in his head every day when he was growing up.

Injury-free Tonkery ready for spotlight of 'Bama game - Daily Athenaeum
Wes Tonkery has been through a lot during his career at West Virginia.

Players and Assistant Coaches Press Conference - WVU Athletics
Players and assistant coaches addressed the media Tuesday evening.

WVSports.com TV: Assistant Coach & Player Interviews - WVSports.com
video interviews with Tom Bradley, JaJuan Seider, Clint Trickett & Wes Tonkery.

Off And Running - BGN
Dustin Garrison and Dreamius Smith are two of almost a half dozen running backs who could get touches against Alabama.

IMG Preseason Digital Football Guide - WVU Athletics
Mountaineer Digital Guide

Recruiting:

WVU recruiting: Commitments put on opening show - Charleston Gazette
In fact, several future Mountaineers began their own seasons this past weekend.

Robinson enjoys visits - BGN
Last weekend, Robbie Robinson took trips to Penn State and West Virginia. The 2016 Hampton (Va.) Phoebus cornerback spoke with Scout.com about the visits, his recruitment and more.

Pro News:

CFL Week 9 Recap: White Scores Touchdown, Capers Makes First Start In Esks’ Victory - WVUPros
Steve Slaton was scratched by the Argos for a second straight week as we review all the Mountaineer happenings in this week’s CFL recap.

Around the League (and Beyond):

Baylor Coaches Pushing Impromptu GoldOut? - Our Daily Bears

Rhoads says Lazard will 'get a ball tossed his direction' - Des Moines Register

KU coach Charlie Weis grateful for extra week of practice before football opener - Kansas City Star

K-State has a formula that leads to big things - Wichita Eagle

Opponent Quotes | Holtz - "Oklahoma's Ranking Is Merited" - Crimson And Cream Machine

Oklahoma State vs Florida State Hype Video - Cowboys Ride For Free

Texas WR Jaxon Shipley "ready to roll" against North Texas - Burnt Orange Nation

TCU QB won’t be revealed until game starts - Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram

Pullquotes | HC Kliff Kingsbury, QB Davis Webb & DE Branden Jackson Discuss the Bears - Viva The Matadors

What's On Tap:

Single Game Parking Passes Available - WVU Athletics
Parking passes in the Burgundy, Green, Gold, Purple and White Lots can be purchased in advance at WVUGAME.com or by calling 1-800-WVU GAME.

Updated Game Day Parking Information - WVU Athletics
With the home opener of the 2014 WVU football season scheduled for Sept. 6, the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is providing a guide to help fans, especially Blue Lot parking pass holders, with game day parking and tailgating information.

Single game tickets for the 2014 WVU football season are on sale now! Go to WVUGAME.COM or call 1-800-WVU GAME

Football Game Promotions Announced - WVU Athletics
Stripe the Stadium, Gold Rush and Family Day Promotions

Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Tickets on Sale - WVU Athletics
Tickets for West Virginia’s appearance in the 2014 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game are now on sale through the Mountaineer Ticket Office

WVU vs Alabama Game Watches Across the Country - BGN

BT Entertainment Presents WVU ATLANTA KICKOFF

WVU alumni group plans to welcome Mountaineer faithful to Atlanta - WV MetroNews
Events are scheduled around the Chik-fil-A Kickoff Game between WVU and Alabama on Aug. 30 at the Georgia Dome.

WVU’s Countdown to Kickoff: Day 3 Stedman Bailey - WVUPros
We are now just 3 days away from WVU's 2014 season opener against Alabama. In celebration, today we take a quick look back at the career of Mountaineer

Video of Interest:

Video courtesy of BGN

Video of (Dis)Interest:


Hump Day Video of the Week:


Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is a Brazilian beauty. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Carol Costa.