Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.
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Football:
West Virginia looks to take leap against Oklahoma | The Daily Athenaeum
After three blowout wins, the West Virginia Mountaineers are flying high. They’ve looked stellar on both offense and defense, obliterated border rival Maryland last week and have edged themselves into the contender conversation in the Big 12. But none of that matters if they can’t knock off the conference’s big boys. On Saturday, they’ll get their first chance to prove that they’re the real deal when they travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on No. 15 Oklahoma.
Defense has made WVU a Big 12 title contender | Sports on Earth (David Ubben)
While West Virginia will always be known for offense under Dana Holgorsen, defense has sparked a turnaround the last two seasons under coordinator Tony Gibson. With a game at Oklahoma on Saturday, WVU has a chance to make a statement.
WVU’s Howard, OU’s Mayfield Share Similar Path to FBS | WV Illustrated
Skyler Howard and Baker Mayfield do not know one another, although they both hail from the state of Texas. Neither of them has played a single game against one another, although both currently start at quarterback for Big 12 Conference teams.
Howard, Mayfield have much in common | The Exponent Telegram
There are almost too many twists and turns to West Virginia’s visit to Oklahoma to single out any one of them as the logo for this Saturday’s Big 12 noon game.
Offensive change has Oklahoma rolling entering game against West Virginia | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Bob Stoops didn't have to change a thing. Nevertheless, he made a calculated, philosophical shift entering his 17th season at Oklahoma.
Dillon & Darlington: Last bragging rights battle for Apopka’s odd couple | WV MetroNews
Those Apopka boys have been anticipating this West Virginia-Oklahoma game ever since, well, the last one. KJ Dillon and Ty Darlington, the kind of odd couple Dillon says "they should make a TV show about," face off as college seniors Saturday. Their last guaranteed meeting and Dillon’s last chance at bragging rights after three straight West Virginia losses.
WVU readies for Oklahoma’s ‘laundry cart’ running back | Charleston Gazette-Mail
K.J. Dillon played football growing up in central Florida, starting in the Pop Warner leagues and advancing through middle school and high school. There were a lot of games, a lot of memorable teammates and opponents, and yet nothing like what the West Virginia safety encountered last season.
WVU players keep different game routines | The Daily Athenaeum
For some West Virginia players, little things before each game help get their mind ready to play some of the nation’s top talent, particularly against their Big 12 opponents.
Braun touts O-line play heading into OU: ‘Time to strap it up for real’ | WV MetroNews
Former West Virginia lineman Jeff Braun attended last week’s 45-6 win over Maryland, his first up-close look at the 2015 Mountaineers.
Campus Connection: A Golden Anniversary | WVU Athletics
ALL wins over Pitt are memorable, but this particular West Virginia triumph has special meaning to those who were in Morgantown 50 years ago today on October 2, 1965 to witness it; or, more likely, listening to Jack Fleming’s enthusiastic descriptions on the radio.
Basketball:
WVU prepared for challenging schedule | Beckley Register-Herald
As Bob Huggins prepares for the start of another season, with the first official practice today in Morgantown, the West Virginia coach is confident he has a team that can make some noise. Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance last March, the Mountaineers lose their top two point guards, Juwan Staten and Gary Brown, but return the rest of their playmakers and add in some talented newcomers.
Big 12 as good as it gets | The Exponent Telegram
It has crept up on us almost silently, allowing us to purge our minds of the last memories from 2014-2015 West Virginia basketball, the "Kentucky Massacre." But now, as we wake on Friday morning, a day before the football team plays just its fourth game of the season, yet another season is upon us. Practice begins later that afternoon for a team that offered a lot of thrills a year ago before that fateful night in Cleveland, and it comes with much promise.
West Virginia Athletics:
No. 3/4 Mountaineers Host TCU in Pink Match | WVU Athletics
The No. 3/4-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team closes a five-match homestand at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium against TCU on Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. Friday night is the Mountaineers’ annual "Pink Match," and all fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. The first 300 fans through the gate will receive a pink glow stick. The Mountaineers will present a check for $8,647 to Morgantown’s Betty Puskar Breast Care Center at halftime. The team has raised more than $120,000 for breast cancer research since 2001.
Mountaineers hope to shine in battle of defenses | The Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University women’s soccer team jumped to No. 3 in national polls this week, following a 2-0 win over Texas to open up Big 12 conference play. The ranking is the highest in the program’s 20-year history.
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Around The Big 12:
Big 12 Week 5 Predictions: Texas Tech-Baylor Shootout, West Virginia Travels to Oklahoma | AthlonSports.com
The Big 12 generated plenty of conversation and intrigue across the nation last Saturday from the thrilling TCU-Texas Tech game, along with Oklahoma State’s last-minute win over Texas. But the Week 5 slate is even more appealing.
Texas Tech still seeking first Big 12 signature win under Kingsbury | ESPN
In Kliff Kingsbury’s maiden season as coach at Texas Tech two years ago, the Red Raiders jumped to a magical 7-0 record and top-10 ranking in the polls. The fast start, however, merely masked how shaky the foundation actually was in Lubbock. And since, the Red Raiders have gone 2-13 in the league, with the two wins coming over Kansas and Iowa State.
Around The NCAA:
SHOULD MIAMI KEEP AL GOLDEN OR HIRE THE BEAR THAT EATS KAYAKS? | Every Day Should Be Saturday
TWO RATIONAL SIDES OF A DIFFICULT ARGUMENT
Alabama's the underdog at Georgia, but should probably be the favorite | SBNation
The Tide are underdogs in Athens, according to the spread, but do you really feel like they are? The numbers don't.
Sad Tennessee fan compares Vols football to DirecTV commercial | Sporting News
It's not easy being a Tennessee fan. Well, unless you stop watching games at halftime. After the Vols' last-second loss to rival Florida in Week 4, one sad UT fan made a DirecTV-esque commercial to share his pain.
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(23) West Virginia Mountaineers vs (15) Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday at Noon on Fox Sports 1 from Norman. The Mountaineers are currently 7 point underdogs.
Two Ranked Teams to Battle Saturday in Norman | WVU Athletics
A preview of Saturday's Big 12 opener in Norman, Oklahoma.
Texas Longhorns vs (4) TCU Horned Frogs
Saturday at Noon on ABC from Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs are 15 point favorites as they look to continue their undefeated streak against the Longhorns.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs (5) Baylor Bears
Saturday at 3:30PM on ESPN2/ABC (Check your local listings) from Waco. The Bears are 17 point favorites in what is sure to be a shootout.
Kansas State Wildcats vs (20) Oklahoma State Cowboys
Saturday at 4:00PM on Fox Sports 1 from Stillwater. Bill Snyder, Kansas State head coach and noted wizard, brings his team to Stillwater as 7.5 point underdogs and looks to steal one away from the Cowboys.
College Football Week 5 Game Schedule & How To Watch | The Smoking Musket
Here's your week 5 guide for watching college football.
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Four WVU Pros to watch in Week 4 of the NFL | Blue Gold Sports
While there has not been many breakout performances by WVUPros, some are developing consistency and making strides in their progression. Moving onto Week 4, here is what you should keep an eye on.
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It's time for another trip down memory lane...
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup FRANK'S RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or FRANK'S RedHot® Buffalo Wings Sauce
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese or your favorite shredded cheeseDirections
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. COMBINE all ingredients and spoon into shallow 1-quart baking dish.BAKE 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables.
Reprinted from FranksRedHot.com
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This looks fun...
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Today's Miss Throwdown is an actress/model and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, but I'm won't hold that against her. We all make mistakes at some point in our life. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Olivia Munn.