Is The Big 12 On The Verge Of Major Change?

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Football:

WVU, Sun Devils Played Once Before in '79 | WVU Athletics
Change was in the air in Tempe, Arizona, when West Virginia traveled out to the desert to conclude the 1979 football season against Arizona State.

Phoenix offers WVU fans plenty of pre-game activities for Cactus Bowl | Charleston Gazette-Mail
As Mountaineer fans make their fourth bowl trip to Arizona, they’ll find plenty of pre-game activities in Phoenix, leading up to the 2016 Cactus Bowl on Jan. 2.

Clay family finds silver linings during special bowl week | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Chuck and Roxanne Clay have been football parents for about as long as they’ve been parents, and together they raised two all-state players at George Washington High School who earned scholarships at Football Bowl Subdivision schools.

Basketball:

Montgomery’s Career-High Paces WVU | WVU Athletics
Junior Lanay Montgomery netted a career-high 21 points, as the West Virginia University women’s basketball team concluded non-conference play with a 67-57 victory over Elon on Monday evening at the WVU Coliseum.

WVU women hold off Elon, 67-57 | The Exponent Telegram
There was a moment in the midst of West Virginia’s 67-57 victory over a scrappy Elon team at the Coliseum on Monday night when the Mountaineers were off and running on a fast break, the ball in the hands of their star player, Bria Holmes.

Around The Big XII:

Is the Big 12 on the verge of major change? A look at key questions | Campus Rush
As Oklahoma arrived in South Florida this week for the Orange Bowl semifinal, it carried the hopes of the Big 12 with it. The conference hasn't won a national title in a decade and spent most of this season shrouded in uncertainty after getting shut out of the inaugural College Football Playoff.

PODCAST AIN'T PLAYED NOBODY: Oh good, the Big 12's overthinking ... AGAIN... | SBNation
In the 19th installment of PAPN, Bill and Godfrey talk about the latest Big 12 expansion rumors and preview upcoming bowl games, including the Playoff semifinals and a must-win game for Auburn.

Oklahoma's star QB and TCU's coach are trading barbs | SBNation
Who needs bowl prep when you can just hurl bombs at a team you're not even playing again this year?

Oklahoma Sooners QB Baker Mayfield says TCU 'hung me out to dry' | ESPN
Baker Mayfield, former walk-on turned Heisman candidate at Oklahoma, says TCU 'hung me out to dry' during recruiting process.

Oklahoma hasn't faced a QB nearly as good as Clemson's, but the Sooners have a plan | SBNation
Just because the Sooners made it through their season without having to beat an elite QB, doesn't mean they're unprepared.

Protests, adversity build Oklahoma Sooners' team chemistry | ESPN
How have the Sooners gone from Russell Athletic Bowl embarrassment to national championship contender?

Oklahoma's Zack Sanchez and the friend who sparks him to succeed | Campus Rush
Zack Sanchez hears so many voices, they blend together, then drown each other out.

Injuries to Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman create chances for young WRs | ESPN
TCU receiver Josh Doctson and Baylor's Corey Coleman combined for 153 catches and 34 TDs this season, but will miss their teams' bowl games.

Texas C Cameron Ridley out indefinitely after foot fracture | Burnt Orange Nation
Oof. This hurts.

Around The NCAA:

Ohio State-Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl might have more total talent than either Playoff semi | SBNation
Here are the four biggest matchups to watch when these two powers collide. Jan. 1, 1 ET, ESPN.

Minnesota’s Quick Lane Bowl win means 5-7 teams went 3-0 in bowl games | SBNation
The Gophers held off Central Michigan in the fourth quarter.

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST 40 FOR 40: THE 28-29 MIXTAPE EDITION | SBNation
WE'RE STILL ON PACE, FOR A GIVEN VALUE OF ON PACE, TO DO A PODCAST FOR EVERY BOWL GAME

(10) North Carolina Tar Heels vs. (17) Baylor Bears
Today at 5:30PM ET on ESPN in the Russell Athletic Bowl from Orlando, FL. The Bears kick off the Big 12's bowl slate as 4 point underdogs.

Three reasons to watch the Russell Athletic Bowl: Baylor vs. North Carolina | ESPN
If you enjoy tempo offense, big plays and one-time playoff contenders, the Russell Athletic Bowl is the game for you.

(20) LSU Tigers vs Texas Tech Red Raiders
Tonight at 9PM ET in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl from Houston, TX. The Red Raiders face one of the nations top running backs in Leonard Fournette, and are 7 point underdogs to the Tigers.

Three reasons to watch the Texas Bowl: LSU vs. Texas Tech | ESPN
Leonard Fournette could rack up big numbers against a Texas Tech run defense that is one of the worst in the country.

Today's Miss Throwdown may be my favorite yet, because I'm a huge nerd. She's a model and a host for Rooster Teeth, and she's smoking hot. CLICK HERE for Meg Turney's Instagram.