2016 A Far Cry From 2015 For The Big 12 Conference

Three Big 12 teams were still undefeated going into November last season and four other teams got into conference play before suffering their first losses. Only two weeks into this season, the Big 12 has just three teams without a loss.

By Michael Miller@michaelmillerWV Sep 15, 2016, 12:01pm EDT

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

Football:

Transfer QB Will Grier awaits his turn at WVU | Charleston Gazette-Mail
At this point of the season, no one rooting for West Virginia is in a hurry to end the Skyler Howard Era. Not with the way he’s played. Not with the way his backups have played. But go ahead and tell Howard, who won a national player of the week and the team’s player of the game award this week, he can’t change that. That’s what he likes. That’s why he’s here. That’s what the Mountaineers will miss when he’s gone, likely to be replaced by Florida transfer Will Grier. They are two very different people and very different players, but they both have what Holgorsen wants.

Arndt says defense learned a lesson against Penguins | The Exponent Telegram
While the West Virginia defense certainly wasn’t pleased with its effort against Youngstown State, there is a lesson to be learned and an opportunity for the unit to grow in the future. Following last Saturday’s victory against the Penguins, West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson apologized to every defender who had ever dawned a West Virginia uniform. While the defense didn’t meet expectations, it was probably a little much considering it only allowed one score in the final 40 minutes of play in Saturday’s game. Senior linebacker Justin Arndt, who already has 13 tackles in the young season, says he sees the sub par performance as a learning experience and chance to get better going forward.

West Virginia Athletics:

Baseball to Hold Open Tryouts | WVU Athletics
The West Virginia University baseball team will hold walk-on tryouts for the 2016 season on Friday, Sept. 16, for WVU students interested in joining the team. The tryout will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET and last approximately one hour. The workout will take place at Monongalia County Ballpark. Students must attend the workout in athletic gear in order to participate.

WVU women's soccer team takes No. 1 ranking in stride | The Exponent Telegram
t’s almost a cruel joke the world is playing on West Virginia’s women’s soccer team. For the first time in the 21-year existence of the program, the Mountaineers are No. 1 in the nation, which is a wonderful accomplishment, but the timing is all wrong.

Mountaineers and Retrievers Play to Scoreless Draw | WVU Athletics
The No. 23 West Virginia University men’s soccer team played to a scoreless draw with UMBC on Wednesday night at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium.

Around The Big 12:

2016 a far cry from last year for Big 12 football | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Three Big 12 teams were still undefeated going into November last season and four other teams got into conference play before suffering their first losses. Only two weeks into this season, the Big 12 has just three teams without a loss. And those aren’t even the top teams in the league’s preseason media poll.

Ohio State-Oklahoma is a huge game that will be decided by 3 simple things | SBNation
Ohio State-Oklahoma is a huge game that will be decided by little things: field position, finishing drives, and avoiding passing downs.

Big 12 Week 3 game picks: Who wins showdown in Norman? | ESPN
Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Texas all have huge Week 3 matchups.

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma looking to make statement against Ohio State | ESPN
Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma will be looking to make a statement against Ohio State after losing their opener to Houston.

Around The NCAA:

College football picks, Week 3: We’re very confident in Bama over Ole Miss | SBNation
We’re very confident in Bama over Ole Miss, for one.

Why it would make sense for Orlando to host 2016’s relocated ACC Championship | SBNation
The conference moved its title game because of a new North Carolina law. Now it’ll be played elsewhere for the first time since 2009.

Historically, Ole Miss-Bama shouldn’t be the SEC’s marquee game. I’m thrilled it is. SBNation
A series with an incredibly lopsided history has stolen the spotlight from other rivalries, thanks to two straight amazing games.