The Secret To West Virginia's Defensive Success Revealed

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Football:

How West Virginia football's defense is shutting down Big 12 | Campus Rush
A shutdown defense in the Big 12? Tony Gibson gives up the secret to West Virginia football's defensive success that has kept the Mountaineers undefeated

Who saw this leap coming from WVU? Dana Holgorsen, that's who | ESPN
Many observers didn't foresee the rise of the Mountaineers -- particularly on D -- but with a win on Saturday they'll enter the playoff conversation.

WVU’s control of tempo a key to its success | Charleston Gazette-Mail
For the first six games of West Virginia University’s football season, the clock has been under the Mountaineers’ control. Does a drive need to last seconds? WVU can do that. Minutes? The Mountaineers can do that, too. That ability to command tempo has been as much a reason for No. 10 West Virginia’s undefeated start, and the Mountaineers will try to keep that rolling when they visit Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Improved play of cornerbacks add flexibility to defense | The Exponent Telegram
The ability of No. 10 West Virginia cornerbacks coach Blue Adams to not only elevate the play of his position, but to get them to coalesce around one another for the betterment of the team has been exceptional.

Gibson upfront and honest with players | The Exponent Telegram
This past spring, before practice started, West Virginia’s defensive coordinator Tony Gibson called middle linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton into his office for a chat, just as he had with his other defenders.

Wristbands show WVU a bonded bunch | The Exponent Telegram
Normally, it’s the media that pins an image onto a team, but this year’s West Virginia football team has taken it upon itself to create that image — and it did it before it ever began its run to a current Top 10 ranking. Each of the players wears a wristband that says simply: "Blue collar ... fighter ... passion"

Several factors at fault after yielding 5 sacks to TCU | WV MetroNews
The blocking, the quarterback and the receivers got dinged after a 34-10 West Virginia win in which Holgorsen called his offense

West Virginia Athletics:

Regular-Season Finale Next for No. 1 WVU | WVU Athletics
The No. 1-ranked and 2016 Big 12 Conference champion West Virginia University women’s soccer team closes its 2016 regular season against Oklahoma State on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m., at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

Around The Big XII:

What if Charlie Strong and Texas are both better off splitting up? | SBNation
Also, here’s how to report a list of coaching candidates for a newly open coaching job and how to shoot down rumors you’ve already taken the Longhorns job in October.

Big 12 Week 9 game picks: Can West Virginia get another big road win? | ESPN
Big 12 writers make their pick for West Virginia-Oklahoma State, Baylor-Texas and more.

Big 12 still has playoff hopes with Baylor, WVU undefeated | Charleston Gazette-Mail
With Baylor and West Virginia both undefeated halfway through the season, there could still be playoff hopes for the Big 12 Conference.

Texas LB Malik Jefferson trying to bust out of sophmore slump | ESPN
Expectations were Texas-sized for Longhorns LB Malik Jefferson after his freshman campaign, but coaches, teammates say it was too much too soon.

Rest of Big 12 hoops still looking up at Kansas | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Last year, it happened on a bus ride from Ames, Iowa, back to campus in Lawrence, Kansas, and Landen Lucas remembers it vividly because it’s an event as annual and as inevitable as Kansas winning the Big 12’s regular-season basketball championship.

Around The NCAA:

Michigan and Clemson will handle road tests, plus 27 more college football picks for Week 9 | SBNation
It’s COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMBLING. Let’s bet on some Week 9 games.

Florida-Georgia is the most unpredictable major rivalry in all of college football | SBNation
A review of 23 major rivalries over the last 30 years shows this game is simply more upset-prone.

Florida State can still beat Clemson, if the Noles answer these 3 questions | SBNation
A two-loss season counts as a disappointment in Tallahassee. Here’s what FSU has to do to disappoint somebody else.

How Penn State took full advantage of Ohio State’s problems on offense | SBNation
A game like this was bound to happen sooner or later for the Buckeyes. PSU was ready to pounce.

The Solid Verbal: Keep doubting Week 9 home underdogs at your own risk | SBNation
Proceed with caution, everyone.

DO YOU KNOW THE REAL FIRST NAMES OF THESE FOOTBALL COACHES? | Every Day Should Be Saturday
A VERY STUPID QUIZ BUT WHO CARES

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