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Has Daryl Worley Played His Final Game At West Virginia?

Daryl Worley, an All-Big 12 cornerback, will miss the Cactus Bowl because of academics and is considering a jump to the NFL.

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News Of Note

Football:

Has cornerback Daryl Worley played his final game at West Virginia? | ESPN
Daryl Worley, an All-Big 12 cornerback, will miss the Cactus Bowl because of academics and is considering a jump to the NFL.

WVU run vs. ASU run D key to Cactus Bowl | Beckley Register-Herald
West Virginia was the Big 12’s second-best rushing offense in 2015, averaging 235.2 yards per game on the ground. Arizona State was the Pac-12’s second best defense at stopping the run, allowing just 124.8 rushing yards per contest. Something has to give Saturday when the Mountaineers and Sun Devils meet at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. for the Cactus Bowl.

The Lunch: Who will absorb snaps for WVU’s no-shows? | WV MetroNews
With Cactus Bowl preparations underway, West Virginia’s defensive coaches are making contingency plans after losing All-Big 12 cornerback Daryl Worley and senior defensive end Eric Kinsey to academic misgivings.

Connections abound for West Virginia, Todd Graham in Catcus Bowl | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen and Graham first meet in 2011 when Graham was at Pitt. He didn’t stay long, bolting after one season.

Patterson’s move from WVU to Arizona State about more than football | Charleston Gazette-Mail
When it happened without warning or explanation, when Keith Patterson departed as West Virginia’s defensive coordinator right after national signing day in 2014 and was hired for the same job at Arizona State, it seemed so unexpected.

Game Analysis: Crafty Devils | WVU Athletics
Jed Drenning breaks down Saturday's game.

Gibson eyes path toward improvement | The Exponent Telegram
West Virginia wide receiver Shelton Gibson has watched a number of teammates "work their behinds off" during the offseason.

WVU’s Gee, Buckeyes’ Meyer share bond | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The question posed to Urban Meyer was not yet complete, but a smile had already overtaken the Ohio State football coach’s face. Maybe it was his memories of the topic of this conversation.

Basketball:

No. 19 WVU men rout Virginia Tech, improve to 11-1 | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Jevon Carter believes West Virginia is ready for Big 12 play. Individually, he certainly showed he's ready.

Mountaineers Roll at Virginia Tech | WVU Athletics
West Virginia’s frenetic pace was on display from the opening tip as the Mountaineers produced a dominating 88-63 win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va.

No. 19 WVU overwhelms Virginia Tech again | Charleston Gazette-Mail
In West Virginia’s first true road game of the season, the Mountaineers were serenaded with chants of "Let’s go ... Mountaineers," here inside the sold out 9,567-seat Cassell Coliseum.

Mountaineers make it look easy at Virginia Tech | WV MetroNews
Jevon Carter scored 11 of his 18 points during a second-half stretch when No. 19 West Virginia seized command of an 88-63 win.

WVU tops Virginia Tech, 88-63 | The Exponent Telegram
Bob Huggins began his first answer on his post-game radio interview like this: "We played extremely well … " If only he had stopped there.

No. 5 Longhorns break through in Morgantown, 65-54 | WV MetroNews
West Virginia shot only 30 percent and saw its eight-game win streak snapped.

WVU Falls to No. 5/6 Longhorns | WVU Athletics
An early first quarter deficit hampered the West Virginia University women’s basketball team, as the Mountaineers fell to No. 5/6-ranked Texas, 65-54, on Wednesday evening in front of 4,153 fans at the WVU Coliseum.

Around The League

Around The Big XII:

Oklahoma's offense vs. Clemson's defense could be the Playoff's most entertaining matchup | SBNation
Last year's Russell Athletic Bowl, a 40-6 thumping of Oklahoma by Clemson, became a turning point for both teams. The rematch carries infinitely higher stakes.

Around The NCAA:

If Connor Cook is awesome, Michigan State will have a chance to beat Alabama | SBNation
Connor Cook was a passing downs magician for the Spartans this year. He'll need to play the game of his life in that regard against Alabama because MSU probably won't be able to run the ball.

Hawkeyes fans are driving en masse 25 hours from Iowa to the Rose Bowl | SBNation
The New Year's Eve showcase in Pasadena could look like an especially warm Iowa home game.

Recruiting

Coach’s uncertain future makes recruiting an uphill battle | Charleston Gazette-Mail
even if Holgorsen were able to put together a solid 2016 season and get an extension, the time between now and then will put him in such a hole in recruiting — with finishing out this class and starting the next — that we’ll be back having the same conversation two or three years down the road. Whether you’re all-in for Holgorsen or in the growing crowd of the disenchanted, if he’s coming back next year, the mandatory next step is to give him an extension and get it done soon.

What's On Tap

(4) Oklahoma Sooners vs (1) Clemson Tigers
Today at 4:00PM on ESPN in the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami. The Sooners are 4 point favorites over the top ranked Tigers.

Why to watch the Orange Bowl: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Clemson Tigers | ESPN
In addition to being a College Football Playoff semifinal game, the Orange Bowl features possibly the two best quarterbacks in the country.

Video Of Interest

Video Of (Dis)Interest

Miss Throwdown

Today's Miss Throwdown is one of the stars of The 100 on The CW, which I highly recommend.