Skyler Howard Ready To Take Over In Morgantown

Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.

Football:

QB Howard ready to take over at West Virginia | Yahoo Sports
Skyler Howard sees his promotion to starting quarterback at West Virginia as more than an opportunity to take over the offense. He wants to look like he knows what he's doing, and it starts with staying focused.

With effort and tools, it's Howard's offense | The Exponent Telegram
Of all the players on the West Virginia roster, by far the most fascinating is Skyler Howard.

Skyler Howard Added To Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List | WVU Athletics
West Virginia University junior quarterback Skyler Howard has been named to the third annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

Even with 2nd-string quarterback, Georgia Southern’s a tricky opener | WV MetroNews
Even though 1,000-yard rusher Kevin Ellison is suspended, the Eagles' option attack could click behind Favian Upshaw.

West Virginia Mountaineers punter Nick O'Toole now the 'Boombeard' | ESPN
Punter Nick O'Toole earned the nickname "Boomstache" last year thanks to his finely groomed handlebar mustache. Might be time for an update.

Committing to run game will be WVU's best chance | The Daily Athenaeum
Since the dawn of the 21st century, few college football offenses have been as consistently entertaining and forward-thinking as that of the West Virginia Mountaineers. Rich Rodriguez set the world on fire with the spread offense, and Dana Holgorsen has since made waves with his air raid passing attack.

Seniors lead Mountaineer defense’s rapid improvement | The Daily Athenaeum
Question marks have surrounded the West Virginia University defense since before their inaugural Big 12 season in 2012. During the 2015 season, the Mountaineers will look to change their image as an air raid offense whose mindset is, "we can win as long as we score more points" and "defense comes second."

Mountaineer depth chart overflowing with safeties | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The depth chart West Virginia’s football team publicized Tuesday was exactly what’s needed for this stage of the season.

Orlosky the center of attention for Mountaineers | The Exponent Telegram
Like most coaches, West Virginia football coach Dana Holgorsen likes to see the football in the hands of his best player as often as possible, and this year it well may be that the ball will be in the hands of his best player on every down.

West Virginia Athletics:

Around The Big 12:

Ranking the Top 15 Players in the Big 12 for 2015 (Experts Poll) | AthlonSports.com
With the season right around the corner, Athlon Sports sought to answer this question: Who are the best 15 players in the Big 12 for 2015?

Texas Tech working to change turnover and penalty problems | FOX Sports
Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury calls his options at quarterback this season a luxury. Sophomore Patrick Mahomes and junior Davis Webb will vie for the starting spot, and Kingsbury says the competition will make each better.

David Beaty understands magnitude of Kansas Jayhawks' rebuilding job | FOX Sports
There is no easy way to describe the magnitude of the task facing David Beaty, who was hired last year to rebuild a Kansas football program fallen on hard times. There are numbers, though.

A healthy Charles Jones hopes to boost Kansas State's running game | ESPN
Charles Jones finished as Kansas State's top rusher last season despite playing the final nine games with a torn PCL.

How Baylor QB Seth Russell got a 'boulder' on his shoulder | ESPN
When Art Briles describes what he seeks in a quarterback, he makes sure to mention that a chip on your shoulder isn't enough. Baylor prefers passers with a "boulder on the shoulder."

Heralded recruit Cecil Cherry picks USF after leaving Texas | Sporting News
Cecil Cherry has seemingly picked his new school after his brief stay at Texas.

Around The NCAA:

Most Cost-Effective College Football Programs of the Past Decade | Value Penguin
WVU just outside of the top 5 at #6

All 128 FBS college football teams ranked for 2015, from Ohio State to Charlotte | SBNation
Bill Connelly has written thousands of words and studied lots of data about your team. Here's how he thinks you stack up.

SHUTDOWN FULLCAST 3.16: BUD + BUGS | Every Day Should Be Saturday
THE ACC PREVIEW THAT IS MOSTLY ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES

Ohio State should start Cardale Jones against Virginia Tech | SBNation
The country's best team has a major road challenge to start the season, but they have a QB built to beat the Hokies.

Jimbo Fisher instructs 'cowardly' players to follow the yellow brick road | Sporting News
After a summer in which a few members of the Florida State football team embarrassed the program, the team is now getting a taste of (slight) in-house humiliation.

West Virginia ‘swooped in’ for Missouri 3-star lineman Chase Behrndt | WV MetroNews
Pitt and Syracuse had been pursuing the center/guard prospect for months, but his performance at WVU's camp July 25 changed his path.

Fair question: Was Kevin White injured when the Bears drafted him? | Chicago Sun-Times
Thanks to their deception involving receiver Kevin White, the Bears have managed to turn a shin injury into Watergate. Who knew what when?

The greatest fear in the Kevin White episode | Chicago Tribune
The worst part of Kevin White's shin injury is the speed weapon the Bears lose. But the greatest fear is it becomes another excuse this season that keeps Jay Cutler around next year.

Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick? A no-brainer, according to Bills RB Fred Jackson | ESPN
At least one member of the Buffalo Bills is bummed out about Geno Smith's jaw injury. Fred Jackson, the well-respected running back, would rather face Smith than Ryan Fitzpatrick when they play the New York Jets.

Jets still in limbo at QB after Geno Smith's broken jaw | USA Today
In New York, all it takes is one punch to ruin a plan.

College Colors Challenge
Wearing your school spirit on your sleeve is always in season. Winning a trip and tickets to the College Football Playoff National Championship makes it even better!

Today's Miss Throwdown is an the September's Playboy Playmate of the Month, and Hef picked this one out perfectly. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Heather Depriest.