Mountaineer Morning Links: Friday (7/17/15) Edition

We are deep in the doldrums of summer, but we have a few new football notes, an update from our WVU pros, and a look at what's happening around the Big 12 and NCAA.

By Michael Miller@uncle_drank Jul 17, 2015, 8:29am EDT

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 Bare Ass Blonde Ale from DuClaw Brewing Company.

Dana Holgorsen's New Motto: Run, Skyler, Run! | Heartland College Sports
Howard possesses a strong, athletic frame which he can move at 4.6 second 40-yard speed. That’s right, he wants to go fast.

WVU opponents — Oklahoma State | The Charleston Gazette
The series continues as we take a look at the Oklahoma State Cowboys and what they will bring to Morgantown in October.

Is versatile Smallwood the Big 12’s top pass-catching RB? | WV MetroNews
The countdown continues: Allan Taylor reveals the 10 Most Pivotal Mountaineers for 2015.

Dillon should be labeled playmaker | The Exponent Telegram
KJ Dillon is sort of the forgotten man on a West Virginia defense that figures to be the heart and soul of this year’s team.

Kevin Jones continues strong play in NBA Summer League, Staten DNP and D'or Fischer has a new home | College To Pro Sports
News and notes from Wednesday's NBA Summer League action involving two Mountaineers, and one's continuing pro career overseas.

Around The Big XII:

Predicting the 2015 season: Week 13 | ESPN
We continue our series predicting the 2015 season with Week 13, when a College Football Playoff berth could be on the line when TCU and Baylor meet.

There are several top candidates for the Big 12's Newcomer of the Year | ESPN
The Big 12 tabbed Oklahoma State RB Chris Carson as its preseason Newcomer of the Year, but there are other candidates who could challenge him.

Prediction: Texas Longhorns AD Steve Patterson will be gone by next spring | FOX Sports
The Longhorns' athletic director is not liked in Austin.

Big 12 Conference Expansion??? - WV Illustrated
Big 12 expansion, will it happen sooner or later?

Top 10 Big 12 Non-Conference Games of 2015 | AthlonSports.com
2015 Big 12 Football Schedule Analysis

Big 12 Wild Card Players in 2015 | AthlonSports.com
The Big 12 may have missed out on the inaugural College Football Playoff last season, but that doesn’t mean the conference lacks for impact players.

Around The NCAA:

Michigan's Nike contract worth $169 million, richest in college sports | CBS Sports
Michigan's switch from Adidas to Nike has earned it the richest apparel contract in college sports, even if it reportedly could have earned even more from its competitors.

Banowsky steps down as C-USA commissioner | The Charleston Gazette
From the moment Britton Banowsky was appointed as commissioner in 2002, Conference USA was under siege.

Can't Wait to turn the DAWG'S loose !!!! Hard at work in the sand pit !!! #WVDEFENSE pic.twitter.com/Rce7jOFNPE
— Tony Gibson (@TonyGibsonWVU) July 16, 2015