West Virginia Heads Into Hostile Territory Against Virginia Tech

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Football:

WVU arrives in Sun Devil country for Cactus Bowl | Beckley Register-Herald
When West Virginia and Arizona State meet Saturday in the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl, one team, the Mountaineers, will be playing more than 2,000 miles from home. The other, the Sun Devils, will be fewer than 15 miles from their home stadium.

WVU’s Worley, Durante among players ruled out for Cactus Bowl | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia will play the Cactus Bowl on Saturday without an all-conference player, a starter on offense and a valuable reserve on defense, coach Dana Holgorsen revealed at practice here Tuesday.

Worley among 4 Mountaineers sidelined by academics for Cactus Bowl | WV MetroNews
The Big 12's co-leader with six interceptions could rectify academic situation next semester, says Dana Holgorsen, who hopes the cornerback will delay entering the NFL draft.

Basketball:

WVU heads into hostile territory at Virginia Tech today | Beckley Register-Herald
More than a month into the season, West Virginia will enter completely hostile territory for the first time today when it plays it’s first true road game at Virginia Tech.

Mountaineers renew rivalry with Virginia Tech | The Exponent Telegram
West Virginia men’s basketball team is hoping to make its trip to Blacksburg, VA for a noon game today a pleasant experience, although that’s not normally the case — a lesson WVU coach Bob Huggins learned 40 years ago.

Sellout crowd awaits No. 19 Mountaineers in Blacksburg | WV MetroNews
Virginia Tech has beaten only one team with a winning record, but Hokies fans seem plenty excited about Wednesday's game against West Virginia.

No. 19 WVU set to visit sold-out Virginia Tech | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The Hokies and No. 19 Mountaineers meet again today (noon, ESPNU) in front of another packed arena, this time the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg. The facility holds 9,847 and the game has been an announced sellout for a week.

A new report and Catlett’s legacy | Charleston Gazette-Mail
A new year is upon us and with that we have yet another opportunity to turn pages.

WVU opens Big 12 play with No. 5 Texas | The Exponent Telegram
The fun part of fun and games is over now for the West Virginia women’s basketball team.

Baseball:

Steve Sabins Named Assistant Baseball Coach | WVU Athletics
West Virginia University baseball coach Randy Mazey has named Steve Sabins as an assistant coach.

Around The Big XII:

Rapid Reaction: LSU Tigers 56, Texas Tech Red Raiders 27 | ESPN
Leonard Fournette scored five touchdowns, which was more than enough for LSU in its 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

Undermanned Baylor runs for bowl record against North Carolina | ESPN
Johnny Jefferson's 299 rushing yards lead Baylor's bowl-record 645-yard effort against North Carolina in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

Baylor had to use 5 different QBs in one game ... and still broke bowl records vs. No. 10 UNC | SBNation
The Bears were without their top two quarterbacks and top two weapons, which makes this one of the most impressive offensive performances in bowl season history.

Bill Snyder's letter-writing impacts all kinds of people | ESPN
Over the years, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder has touched hundreds upon thousands through his tradition of writing letters by hand.

Oklahoma's Buddy Hield is more than a shooter. He's one of the best players in the country | SBNation
The Sooners guard has gone from sniper to superstar as a senior.

Around The NCAA:

Jared Goff adds a 6-touchdown bowl hammering of Air Force to his NFL Draft resume | SBNation
Goff fell one touchdown short of tying the record for most passing touchdowns in a bowl game, and broke multiple records in the process.

Leonard Fournette runs wild in LSU's 56-27 Texas Bowl win over Texas Tech | SBNation
Gentlemen, start your 2016 Heisman Trophy hype.

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST PRESENTS A DECEMBER FOR DISTEMPER | Every Day Should Be Saturday
OH WAIT WHO GOT FIRED?

Nevada’s Arizona Bowl win wasn’t on national TV, but it had a pretty great finish | SBNation
The intra-Mountain West bowl came down to a pretty exciting final minute.

Iowa shocks No. 1 Michigan State, 83-70 | SBNation
Down goes No. 1. The Hawkeyes earned a huge win to open up Big Ten play.

(19) West Virginia Mountaineers vs Virginia Tech Hokies
Today at Noon on ESPNU from Blacksburg, VA. The Mountaineers are 8 point favorites against the VPI team coached by the worst person in the world.

Today's Miss Throwdown is a Danish model best known for her work for Victoria's Secret. CLICK HERE for Josephine Skriver's Instagram.