West Virginia Needs The Ground Game To Excel Again Versus Texas Tech

For the third straight year, WVU has developed a one-two punch in the backfield, and they'll need them on the top of their game to help keep the football away from the Texas Tech offense on Saturday.

By Michael Miller@uncle_drank Oct 14, 2016, 11:30am EDT

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

Football:

WVU trying to achieve balance in running game with Shell, Crawford | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
For the third straight year, the West Virginia Mountaineers have developed a "thunder and lightning" tandem in the backfield.

WVU needs ground game to excel again vs. Tech | The Exponent Telegram
There are two ways to beat Texas Tech, West Virginia’s high-powered opponent in Lubbock, Texas, this coming Saturday at noon. One is easier than the other. Dana Holgorsen can toss the bulk of the burden on Tony Gibson, his defensive coordinator who actually has done a good job in creating defenses to slow down Kliff Kingsbury’s offense the past two years. But that’s the tough way. The easy way is to keep the football away from that offense.

Flashback Friday: WVU Fans Can Learn from Superstitions | WV Illustrated
We’ve seen this script before, right? West Virginia makes it through the early portion of the schedule without any blemishes on its record. The Mountaineers pack their bags and some confidence and take the longest trip in the Big 12 – to Lubbock, Texas.

Basketball:

Gold Defeats Blue in Wheeling Thursday Night - WVU Athletics
College basketball fans in Wheeling got the first public viewing of Bob Huggins’ 2016-17 West Virginia University men’s basketball team, which was predicted to finish second in the Big 12 Conference’s preseason coaches’ poll.

Bolden primed for game action | The Exponent Telegram
Normally West Virginia’s Gold and Blue scrimmage in men’s basketball is about watching guys dunk before it starts and about them signing autographs after it finishes. The basketball? Well, it’s early, Bob Huggins’ squad is split up and it’s a shortened game. In other words, it introduces you to the players but little more, and the veterans pretty much take it that way.

West Virginia Athletics:

No. 1 Mountaineers Ready for Red Raiders | WVU Athletics
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team looks to push its win streak to six when the Mountaineers kick against Texas Tech on Friday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

(20) West Virginia Mountaineers vs Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday at Noon EST on Fox Sports 1 from Lubbock, TX. The Mountaineers travel to Lubbock and hope to escape with their unblemished record intact. West Virginia is a one point favorite.

Kansas State Wildcats vs. (19) Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday at Noon EST on ESPN from Norman, OK. The Wildcats are looking for revenge for the stomping they took at home last year, but will be doing so as 15 point underdogs.

Kansas Jayhawks vs (11) Baylor Bears
Saturday at 3:30PM EST on Fox Sports 1 from Waco, TX. Kansas almost shocked the TCU Horned Frogs last week. Can they do it against the Bears? Baylor is 35 point favorites.

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns
Saturday at 7:00PM EST on The Longhorn Network and WatchESPN from Austin, TX. Iowa State is due for a win. They've came close, and this may be the week it happens. A loss to the Cyclones will probably be the nail in Charlie Strong's coffin. Texas is favored by 2 touchdowns.

Around The Big XII:

Texas Tech QB Pat Mahomes’ arm makes the Red Raiders offense go | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Today, Pat Mahomes II is the starting quarterback on the best passing offense in the country. He might have the strongest arm in all of college football. He could set the NCAA record for passing yards in a season by the time Texas Tech gets through 13 games. But back when he picked his first sport, he picked up a baseball.

Big 12 viewer's guide: Sooners, Mountaineers tested again | ESPN
Oklahoma hosts a K-State outfit that has won its past two in Norman, while West Virginia visits Texas Tech with a chance to convince its skeptics.

It would be smart move for Iowa State to attack Texas pass defense | ESPN
Texas has been especially susceptible to long pass plays, and that's an area where Iowa State has the talent to excel.

At 77, Kansas State's Bill Snyder 'keeps doing what we do' | ESPN
With K-State visiting measuring stick Oklahoma, Bill Snyder doesn't have much time to reflect on transformative wins from a generation ago.

How Oklahoma State Cowboys won first national title 71 years later | ESPN
With nominations open to pick national champs from the pre-coaches' poll era, OSU staffers suggested the school's 9-0 1945 squad, and were rewarded.

Around The NCAA:

College football picks: Could we really see a Week 7 without any major upsets? | SBNation
Our confidence picks for the four biggest games of the weekend.

Bama-Tennessee is a rivalry of streaks. To break this one, the Vols need these 3 things | SBNation
Alabama and Tennessee switched bodies when Nick Saban took over in Tuscaloosa. Is this the year the Vols finally conquer the Tide?

At LSU, Mike the Tiger’s passing is more than just the loss of a mascot | SBNation
Hearts are heavy in Baton Rouge because a campus centerpiece is gone.

A history of Lane Kiffin trolling Tennessee | SBNation
The Alabama offensive coordinator makes his second return to Knoxville after leaving as head coach.