Feelings Of Disrespect Fueling West Virginia Football's Success

All season, the Mountaineers have talked about feeling disrespected by the media, the polls and college football pundits. And even though West Virginia is climbing the rankings, that mindset hasn't changed.

By Michael Miller@uncle_drank Oct 21, 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:

Trusting 'process,' feelings of disrespect fueling WVU's success | Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
For the No. 12 West Virginia Mountaineers (5-0, 2-0 Big 12), trusting the process has been the secret to their success as they have ridden a newfound commitment to hard work to a surprising 5-0 start.

TCU brings another tough challenge for WVU defense | Beckley Register-Herald
After an eye-opening performance against Texas Tech last Saturday, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s "DAWGS" by no means can rest on their laurels. Another week in the Big 12 Conference means another tough test for the WVU defense as TCU invades Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday.

TCU’s Josh Carraway back at full strength after injury | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Perhaps it’s just the strangest home-field disadvantage in the country, but penalty flags for facemask penalties seem pretty rare at Mountaineer Field. The last time West Virginia played at home, quarterback Skyler Howard completed a 52-yard pass to receiver Shelton Gibson, but that’s an extremely simple way of describing what Gibson did despite the best efforts of a Kansas State cornerback.

Campus Connection: Riding the Wave | WVU Athletics
That wave Dana Holgorsen’s 12th-ranked West Virginia University football team is riding right now has Mountaineer football fans from Weirton to Welch, Martinsburg to Matewan, and all points in between riding right along with them. What was once a small ripple has turned into something that continues to grow bigger and bigger each week.

Freshman McKivitz fits in well up front | The Exponent Telegram
There is an old adage — are there any new adages — which points out that you are only as strong as your weakest link, and this is especially true when it comes to an offensive line in football.

Basketball:

Huggins' team to rely heavily on its depth | The Exponent Telegram
In many ways, Bob Huggins could not have asked for anything more than to open this upcoming basketball season with a No. 18 preseason ranking in the USA Today/Coaches poll, as his West Virginia Mountaineers were awarded on Tuesday.

Carey to bring first WVU team to Clarksburg since 1942 | The Exponent Telegram
Mike Carey once said if someone puts down West Virginia, that someone would likely have a fight on his hands. With that attitude of love for his state in mind, one can see the reason the Clarksburg native wanted to have his team help in the aftermath of the July flooding in the southern part of the state.

West Virginia Athletics:

No. 1 WVU Opens Texas Swing at TCU | WVU Athletics
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team opens its final regular-season road trip at TCU on Friday, Oct. 21, at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium, at 8 p.m. ET.

Around The Big XII:

Big 12 roundtable: Examining the Big 12's non-expansion decision | ESPN
Did the Big 12 make the right decision regarding expansion? What's the biggest thing the league learned? What's in store for the future?

Big 12 viewer's guide: Another big battle for West Virginia | ESPN
The Mountaineers, who are finally starting to get national recognition, await a visit from a TCU team that has had an extra week to prepare.

Kansas State plans to pay close attention to Texas running game | ESPN
Kansas State has fared reasonably well against Big 12 ground attacks, but Texas and D'Onta Foreman make for formidable visitors Saturday.

Around The NCAA:

Week 8 college football picks: Let’s shake up the SEC West race | SBNation
SB Nation’s college football experts give their weekly picks on the weekend’s biggest games.

Jalen Hurts is the latest phase of Nick Saban’s Alabama evolution | SBNation
Bama’s been building this spread offense for years. Now a true freshman is steering the wheel.

Bama and Texas A&M have only played 8 times, but this rivalry is packed with memories | SBNation
Alabama and Texas A&M have played only eight times but created nine memorable moments. Now that’s efficiency.

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Saturday at Noon ET on Fox Sports 1 from Lawrence, KS. The Cowboys are 24 point favorites in this one.

Texas Longhorns vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Saturday at Noon ET on ESPN2 from Manhattan, KS. The Wildcats will look to grind this one out against the Texas defense, and are favored by two points.

TCU Horned Frogs vs (12) West Virginia Mountaineers
Saturday at 3:30PM ET on ABC/ESPN2 from Morgantown, West "By God" Virginia. The Mountaineers look for a little revenge against the Horned Frogs. The Mountaineers are favored by six points.

(16) Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday at 8:00PM on FOX from Lubbock, TX. The Sooners are back to their winning ways, and aim to keep it that way. The Red Raiders are two touchdown underdogs.

I'm really just impressed they managed to get this song written, and the video recorded and edited within 24 hours of the debate ending. Also, Weird Al is still the GOAT.