West Virginia's Bowl Situation Unclear

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Football:

Bowl situation unclear for WVU, slew of potential 5-7 teams | Charleston Gazette-Mail
In an ordinary season, Kansas State would need to beat West Virginia on Saturday in order to play in a bowl game. This is an unusual year, though, and the Wildcats may have already qualified for a bowl by getting their fifth win of the season, one short of the normal requirement, a week ago against Kansas.

'Battle tested' defense thrives for West Virginia after poor stretch | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The West Virginia player who received the biggest hug from coach Dana Holgorsen and the loudest ovation from the home crowd on the team’s senior day was not wearing a helmet or pads and didn’t play a single snap.

Howard has stayed healthy despite his increased role | Beckley Register-Herald
If Skyler Howard takes the opening snap Saturday at Kansas State he’ll be the third West Virginia quarterback in the last five years to start every regular season game for the Mountaineers.

Mountaineers now third nationally with 29 takeaways | WV MetroNews
Through nearly four seasons and its first 33 games in the Big 12, West Virginia had never held an opponent to single-digits scoring. Now it has accomplished the feat in back-to-back weeks.

The Lunch takes stock of WVU’s successful home finale | WV MetroNews
Beneath dreary skies and underpopulated upper decks, Saturday’s 30-6 win over Iowa State won’t rank highly on anyone’s list of remember-when games. Paul Rhoads included.

Mountaineers could factor into Kansas State bowl situation | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Of the 64 teams in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision that belong to Power 5 conferences, only Kansas State enters December with its bowl eligibility still squarely in its control.

Basketball:

Individual Tickets for Big 12 Games on Sale | WVU Athletics
Individual tickets for nine Big 12 home games are now on sale at the Mountaineer Ticket Office.

Press pushes WVU to new heights in Vegas victory | The Daily Athenaeum
After a 72-50 demolition of San Diego State (4-3) in the championship, WVU (6-0) found its way into the Associated Press Top 25 rankings for the first time this season, entering at No. 20.

West Virginia Athletics:

Penn State ends WVU’s historic season in Elite Eight | The Daily Athenaeum
The No. 4 Mountaineers (19-3-1, 6-0-1) might have lost but have a lot to be proud of. The loss marked the end of what was arguably the best season in the program’s 20-year history.

Around The Big 12:

Oklahoma is virtually assured a spot in the Playoff. Who should the Sooners want to face? | SBNation
The Sooners find out Tuesday night where they are in the pecking order, then get to spend conference title weekend scouting potential opponents.

Oklahoma Sooners are back, with a national championship in sight | ESPN
Baker Mayfield and the Sooners have a Big 12 title in tow and almost certainly a spot in the College Football Playoff, but they want more.

TCU's 10-win season is a sign of Gary Patterson's greatness | ESPN
Gary Patterson's TCU team had plenty of injuries and adversity to deal with this season. That's why this year was so remarkable for the Horned Frogs.

TCU offensive coordinators in hot demand? | ESPN
According to reports, either one or both of TCU offensive coordinators -- Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie -- could be on the move soon.

Planning for success: First half will be key for Kansas State | ESPN
A solid performance before halftime against West Virginia could get Kansas State to .500 on the season.

Around The NCAA:

Scott Frost taking Oregon's offense to UCF as new head coach | SBNation
One of the minds behind the Ducks' ferocious offense is said to be headed for the AAC.

Nebraska and other 5-7 teams are bowl-eligible this year, based on academic scores | SBNation
There are officially too many bowl games, but the NCAA's come up with a solution.

Navy's badass helmets for Army game have hand-painted ships, custom for each position group | SBNation
Kind of freaking out right now about how great these helmets are.

Virginia Tech’s coaching search was so smooth, Bud Foster found out who his boss was en route to meet him | SBNation
That's an odd order.

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST 3.36: LOOKING FOR A NEW PASTOR FOR THE CHURCH OF UGA | Every Day Should Be Saturday
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NEED A NEW FOOTBALL PASTOR AND OTHER FOLLIES OF THE COACHING SEASON. OH, AND LAUGHING AT LSU

Stedman Bailey: Rams WR able to sign name after surgery | SI.com
Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey was able to sign his name after undergoing surgery on head wounds he sustained last week in a shooting.

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