Mountaineer Morning Links: Friday (7/10/15) Edition

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Old Morgantown Amber Ale from Morgantown Brewing Company.

Buchanan, Lawrence Named to Pan Am Roster | WVU Athletics
WVU duo named to Canada's Pan Am Games roster.

WVU opponents: Game 2, Liberty | The Charleston Gazette
A great deal has happened with Liberty football since the school last visited Morgantown in 2009. Chief among them is that the Flames, who had enjoyed occasional success at the FCS level over the previous two decades, have become consistent winners.

WVU’s Gibson ready to take defense and ‘turn them loose’ | Charleston Daily Mail
As the summer steps gingerly toward the fall, the accolades arrive and make their marks. By all indications, West Virginia will have a good defense in 2015.

D-lineman opens MetroNews countdown of 10 Most Pivotal Mountaineers | WV MetroNews
After making strides in 2014, Noble Nwachukwu aims for a next-level jump.

WVU’s Chestnut backing up Gibson’s claims | The Charleston Gazette
WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson isn’t the only one in Morgantown flashing bravado.

Former West Virginia QB Ford Childress to walk on for Fresno State | Mountain West Connection
Former West Virginia quarterback Ford Childress, who was suspended from the team early in 2014 and elected not to enroll for classes shortly thereafter, will attempt to walk on with the Fresno State Bulldogs.

WVU’s Lambert named to Groza watch list | Times West Virginian
If West Virginia University’s football fortunes turned around last season as the team jumped from a 4-8 failure to a 7-6 team that seemed on the edge of moving forward, it did so on the talented toe of Josh Lambert.

WVU Makes Top Four for Top 40 Prospect | EerSports
Cardinal Gibbons' (FL) Maverick Rowan continues his quest to reclassify to 2015, and with it comes more twists and turns in his recruitment.

Photo Gallery: Juwan Staten’s third day with the Sacramento Kings | College to Pro Sports
Juwan Staten practices with the Sacramento Kings prior to Las Vegas Summer League play.

Former coaches heap praise on Chicago Bears WR Kevin White | FOX Sports
Kevin White has become a household name for Chicago Bears fans ever since the team made him a first-round pick, but most just know him as a West Virginia standout.

Why Kevin White Is the Key to the Chicago Bears' Success on Offense This Season | Bleacher Report
A year ago at this time, wide receiver Kevin White was preparing for his senior season at West Virginia. But in a few short weeks, he will be lining up on the fields at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, as he begins his first training camp with the Chicago Bears.

Around The Big XII:

Baylor is the reason OU and Texas aren't OU and Texas anymore | SBNation
Baylor returns 17 starters from a team that missed the Playoff by an eyelash last year; two leaders are gone, sure, but the Bears are the safest bet in the Big 12.

What Can Derail Current Big 12? | Blue Gold News
In an excellent, well-thought out column, The Daily Oklahoman's Berry Tramel asks why the current ten-team configuration of the Big 12 Conference won't work. While I agree 100% with his position, there is one nebulous, yet powerful, force that could smash the current league makeup.

Predicting the 2015 season: Week 6 | ESPN
Baylor and TCU should remain unbeaten, but will Oklahoma join them after its battle against rival Texas?

Predicting the 2015 season: Week 7 | ESPN
TCU and Oklahoma should remain undefeated, but can Baylor do the same with the Mountaineers visiting Waco?

Roundtable: Analyzing Big 12 conference football schedules | ESPN
In today's Big 12 roundtable, we compare the conference schedules to determine who has the easiest and toughest road.

Quick start key for Paul Rhoads, Iowa State in critical season | ESPN
Iowa State has gone 5-19 in the past two seasons, including two losses against FCS foes.

Ranking the Big 12 Stadiums for 2015 | AthlonSports.com
Ranking the Big 12 Stadiums for 2015

2015 Big 12 Preview | Campus Insiders
For all the drama and shattered playoff dreams coming from the end of last season, the Big 12 really is in a good spot.

2015 Season Preview - Baylor | Campus Insiders
You’ll have to forgive Baylor if it comes into the season with a wee bit of a chip on its shoulder.

2015 Season Preview - Iowa State | Campus Insiders
It’s not just that Iowa State isn’t winning, it’s that it wasn’t even close over the last few years.

2015 Season Preview - Kansas | Campus Insiders
In the immortally pretentious words of Tyler Durden, "it's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."

2015 Season Preview - Kansas State | Campus Insiders
It’s as if Bill Snyder didn’t do enough in his legendary career to prove just how tremendous a head coach he is.

2015 Season Preview - Oklahoma | Campus Insiders
Besides Norman, where is the Oklahoma Sooner program?

2015 Season Preview - Oklahoma State | Campus Insiders
Now it's time for the rebound.

2015 Season Preview - Texas | Campus Insiders
It’s not like Charlie Strong was going to get any sort of a grace period anyway, but the timetable has suddenly been moved up.

2015 Season Preview - TCU | Campus Insiders
One first down. TCU was that close to true greatness.

2015 Season Preview - Texas Tech | Campus Insiders
If there’s a team and a coaching staff building towards fitting exactly what the Big 12 is – and has been – it’s this Texas Tech team and Kliff Kingsbury's group.

Taking the country roads through West Virginia! Feels like home!!

— Zach Sandwisch (@ZSandwisch13) July 10, 2015

Today's Miss Throwdown is quite the catch. You can't go wrong with a woman who is into golf and fitness.  CLICK HERE for San Diego State's Paige Spiranac's Instagram.

A photo posted by @_paige.renee on Jul 2, 2015 at 10:45am PDT