West Virginia Shifts Focus On Winning Last Three Matchups

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Football:

West Virginia shifts focus on winning last three matchups | The Daily Athenaeum
Reaching week 10 of the West Virginia University football schedule, the Mountaineers are one win away from getting into a bowl game. It shouldn’t be assumed that head coach Dana Holgorsen is fine with only taking six wins this season, but this weekend might be an easy one for the taking.

Emphasis on the run game is the "right way" | Charleston Gazette-Mail
In the first serving of games last Saturday, West Virginia beat Texas and completed just 10 passes for 122 yards. That was the equivalent of an appetizer, seeing as if it was such a small portion of what the Air Raid offenses have come to produce through the year. The final course was definitely dessert, and Washington State served up a sweet 58 passes for 358 yards to win on the road at UCLA.

WVU receivers hope to help Smallwood make more long gains, score | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Even before West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood got a ribbing from his coaches on the sideline about not scoring during his 165-yard rushing performance Saturday against Texas, he heard from his close friend, receiver Daikiel Shorts.

WVU's Smallwood trying to prove he knows where to find goal line | Beckley Register-Herald
West Virginia football coach Dana Holgorsen refused to take any chances. He assumed that junior running back Wendell Smallwood knew what the lines on the football field meant, but just in case, he took his offense’s biggest star to one end of the field and explained what was before his eyes.

Wellman excels with expanded role | The Exponent Telegram
Elijah Wellman has not broken a facemask as Owen Schmitt did in his days as West Virginia’s tough guy fullback, but he has broken the spirit of an opposing tackler or two.

Basketball:

Carey ready for team to step up defensively | The Daily Athenaeum
t seems as if everything is going right for the West Virginia University women’s basketball team. The Mountaineers are 2-0, with both wins being done in a dominant offensive fashion. However, the defensive lapses will ultimately doom WVU when Big 12 Conference play comes around.

West Virginia Athletics:

Sturges takes the reins as new WVU head coach | The Daily Athenaeum
The West Virginia University hockey team has struggled with injuries so far this season and has stumbled to a 9-13 record thus far this year. Last week, the Mountaineers and former head coach Kyle Richards parted ways, and AJ Sturges was named the new head coach.

Cottrell, Smith take opportunity head-on at WVU | The Daily Athenaeum
For two transfers, coming to West Virginia University has been the right choice.

Around The Big 12:

Big 12 playoff shape improves, Bedlam could be a Playoff play-in game | ESPN
The Big 12 saw its College Football Playoff chances increase with the latest rankings, as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State moved into the top seven.

Big 12 Week 11 bowl projections: Oklahoma State still out of playoff | ESPN
Oklahoma State remained unbeaten but moved up just two spots to No. 6, while Oklahoma jumped five spots to No. 7 after topping Baylor.

TCU Drops to No. 18 in CFP Poll, lowest 1-loss team | Frogs O' War
The Frogs sit behind five, count 'em, five two-loss teams.

Bill Snyder's 16 goals could be key for Kansas State Wildcats | ESPN
The 2015 season has been forgettable for Kansas State, but adhering to coach Bill Snyder's 16 goals could help the Wildcats bounce back next season.

How Raymond Taylor became Oklahoma State's starting running back | ESPN
He traveled a long, windy road but Raymond Taylor wound up exactly where he wanted to be, playing for the Cowboys.

Around The NCAA:

Notre Dame's got a Big 12 problem, and 3 other College Football Playoff ranking takeaways | SBNation
Elsewhere, the new rankings show about a dozen teams are still in this thing, maybe even including the Pac-12 and North Carolina. And yes, Iowa, you're win-and-in.

Wait, Les Miles is on the hot seat already? After losing 2 games? | SBNation
It's not just the two losses. LSU's head coach is under fire, but a strong finish could certainly change things.

These are the 4 best college football teams as of right now | SBNation
This week's official College Football Playoff rankings come out soon, but ours are already here, and with 100 percent more Bud.

The Bama Effect might be real. Teams are actually getting worse after playing the Tide | SBNation
Elsewhere in the weekend's most interesting stats, Baker Mayfield has exploded, Oregon-Stanford is officially one of the country's most important rivalries and congratulations to Maryland! Kind of.

We have no idea if football players are faking injuries, so let's shut up | SBNation
Sometimes, players look like they're faking injuries. More often than not, they're actually in severe pain. We should give these players the benefit of the doubt, or else we make football a more dangerous sport.

Houston Cougars fighting to keep Tom Herman from leaving for a bigger job | SBNation
They might have a bidding war on their hands with some power conference schools.

Here's how Washington State went from Pac-12 laughingstock to dangerous opponent | SBNation
The Cougars have patched some major flaws and quietly put together quite a turnaround.

Today's Miss Throwdown is a Brazilian model and actress, and one of the best known Victoria's Secret Angels. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Adriana Lima.