West Virginia Ready For Anything In Rhoads' Cyclone Finale

On Sunday, Paul Rhoads found out his time as the head football coach at Iowa State was over. Six days later, he’ll be on the field coaching the Cyclones one last time when they visit Milan Puskar Stadium to take on West Virginia at noon.

By Michael Miller@michaelmillerWV Nov 24, 2015, 8:27am EST

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.

Football:

WVU 'ready for anything' in Rhoads' Cyclone finale | Beckley Register-Herald
On Sunday, Paul Rhoads found out his time as the head football coach at Iowa State was over. Six days later, he’ll be on the field coaching the Cyclones one last time when they visit Milan Puskar Stadium to take on West Virginia at noon.

With the firing of coach, Iowa State might show more emotion vs. WVU | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Paul Rhoads has been in this position before, coming to Milan Puskar Stadium with a team with little to lose in what would be his final game of an extended coaching tenure at a school.

Holgorsen gives departing Iowa State coach Rhoads respect | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen crossed paths with Iowa State's Paul Rhoads at games, Big 12 Conference events and other coach gatherings, so though they lacked a friendship, they shared familiarity.

Campus Connection: WVU's Run-Game Success | WVU Athletics
Dana Holgorsen has found success with the run game.

O-line sparks rise of running game | The Exponent Telegram
The focus, quite naturally, as West Virginia has morphed from an air assault into a powerful ground game has been on the national rise of running back Wendell Smallwood, the return to prominence of running back Rushel Shell and the manner in which quarterback Skyler Howard has used his legs rather than his arm for his greatest contribution to the offense.

Smallwood dismisses draft: ‘I’m going to be here for next season’ | WV MetroNews
Asked where he intends to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood gave fair warning to his position coach Ja’Juan Seider

Basketball:

WVU getting to the meat of schedule | Charleston Gazette-Mail
It was a Monday night game, much like that in Charleston a week prior. WVU, now ranked No. 22 in the USA Today coaches poll, drew but 6,196 to the Coliseum to play and, eventually, whip Bethune-Cookman.

WVU blasts visiting Bethune-Cookman | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Not that there was ever a question it could happen for someone so outgoing and so used to making new friends, but newcomer Teyvon Myers is beginning to fit in with West Virginia’s veteran basketball team.

Press heats up Bethune-Cookman for 30 turnovers | WV MetroNews
Seven players scored in double figures and West Virginia’s press forced 30 turnovers during a 97-44 rout of Bethune-Cookman on Monday night.

Huggins on blowout moving WVU to 4-0 | WV MetroNews
West Virginia coach Bob Huggins addresses the media following the Mountaineers’ 97-44 win over Bethune-Cookman on Monday at the Coliseum.

Mountaineers overpower Bethune-Cookman, 97-44 | The Exponent Telegram
Three days after a trio of West Virginia University running backs ran for 100 yards in a 49-0 victory over Kansas, three Mountaineer basketball players turned in double-doubles in a 97-44 victory over Bethune-Cookman.

Around The Big 12:

Baylor, Big 12 facing uphill image battle to make College Football Playoff | Sporting News
If we’ve learned anything from the Big 12’s November to remember, it’s this: the league doesn’t have a respect problem, it has an image problem.Injuries hampering Big 12 in push for College Football Playoff spot | ESPN

Oklahoma, Baylor and Oklahoma State still have a shot at making the Playoff, but the selection committee could look down on them due to injuries.

Iowa State Cyclones face major challenge replacing Paul Rhoads | ESPN
Iowa State is among the most challenging Power 5 conference jobs around -- and one that figures to be tough to sell to up-and-coming coaches.

Iowa State's coaching hire should be outside-the-box. We recommend Bob Stitt. | SBNation
The Cyclones need someone different, and Bob Stitt sure is different.

Oklahoma State Cowboys still eyeing Big 12 title despite loss | ESPN
Oklahoma State's playoff hopes were dashed by Baylor, but the Cowboys have plenty of incentive to bounce back quickly.

Around The NCAA:

Let's rank all 13 open college football head coach jobs. Who's after USC and Miami? | SBNation
The season's not even over, and more than a dozen programs are already in the market for their next head coaches. We'll update this ranking as more join in.

7 reasons LSU should hire Les Miles to replace Les Miles | SBNation
Word on the street is the Tigers are gonna be looking for a new head coach soon. We've got just the guy in mind.

Ezekiel Elliott was right. Ohio State should have given him the dang ball | SBNation
Ohio State's star running back nailed it. The Buckeyes saw a 20-plus game win streak end because they failed to use their strengths and failed to attack Michigan State's weaknesses.

'The Motel 6 Cactus Bowl' is the new name of an actual bowl game | SBNation.com
What another great bowl name.

Hoop Thoughts: Rule changes have had a positive effect on scoring | SI.com
Seth Davis explains how the rule changes are benefiting college basketball, reveals his AP Top 25 ballot and more in this week's Hoop Thoughts.

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST 3.34: SATAN'S COACHING DOMINOES EDITION | Every Day Should Be Saturday
HOW DO YOU END UP WITH URBAN MEYER COACHING ALABAMA? SO GLAD YOU ASKED

Mountaineers in hunt for elite receiver | Charleston Gazette-Mail
This Saturday marks the final home game for West Virginia, and while one might think it would be a big visit weekend, that is far from the case.

Titans could turn to Quinton Spain at LG vs. Raiders | ESPN
The Titans may be ready to do some additional tinkering with their offensive line and that tinkering could include undrafted rookie Quinton Spain.