Where Does Big 12 Expansion Stand With With A Key Conference Board Meeting Looming?

Is Houston a lock? Candidates are in "limbo" and no one knows if a vote will even happen. For Big 12 expansion, according to many insiders, anything is possible

By Michael Miller@michaelmillerWV Sep 23, 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:

West Virginia ready for physical game vs. Big Ten-style BYU | WV MetroNews
When West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson began dissecting BYU video last week, he anticipated a Ty Detmer flashback.

Mountaineers aware of BYU's maturity | The Exponent Telegram
Tyler Orlosky, the West Virginia center, is straightforward when talking about the BYU team the Mountaineers play this week. "They are a bunch of grumpy old guys," Orlosky said. That probably doesn’t sound like a compliment, but it is considering that the senior Orlosky has a number of teammates who refer to him the same way. Besides, it’s factual.

WVU needs a plan for Pau'u | The Exponent Telegram
When West Virginia’s players had their weekly meeting with the media to preview Saturday’s game against BYU in Landover, Maryland, quarterback Skyler Howard was asked about one Butch Pau’u, the man who serves as middle linebacker on the BYU defensive unit.

Who Are These Cougars? | WVU Athletics
The Houston veer. The Delaware Wing-T. The Navy flexbone. In the spontaneous word association game of college football, certain programs are indelibly linked to certain schemes – even if they’ve long since strayed from those schemes. Such is the case with Brigham Young University. Mention BYU to most fans and they envision high-voltage offenses and record-setting passing attacks. This is despite the fact that the ringmaster of that flying circus – Hall of Fame coach LaVell Edwards – hasn’t patrolled the sidelines in 16 years.

WVU makes sure to prepare for football's wild and wacky | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The college football season is just three weeks old, but it’s already defined by rare plays and seemingly minor details that became major story lines.

Yes, WVU told players not to drop the ball before scoring | WV MetroNews
Thursday's Gold & Blue Lunch Report covers the embarrassing trend of guys fumbling prematurely.

West Virginia Athletics:

No. 4 Mountaineers Travel to Richmond | WVU Athletics
The No. 4-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team concludes its nonconference slate at Richmond on Friday, Sept. 23, with first kick from Robins Stadium set for 7:30 p.m.

Around The Big 12:

Where do things stand in Big 12 expansion talks | ESPN
Is Houston a lock? Candidates are in "limbo" and no one knows if a vote will even happen. For Big 12 expansion, according to many insiders, anything is possible.

Big 12 viewer’s guide: Last-standing unbeatens face Week 4 tests | ESPN
West Virginia takes on BYU in a neutral-site battle and Baylor hosts Oklahoma State in the first major Big 12 clash of the season.

Big 12 roundtable: Looking ahead to conference title race | ESPN
Have the favorites changed in the Big 12 after three weeks? How many teams are legitimate title contenders? Our Big 12 reporters discuss.

Around The NCAA:

Why do football players keep dropping the ball before the end zone? | SBNation
Players keep willingly losing touchdowns in a way that seems really, really, really easy to avoid.

What Nick Saban remembers about the 1970 shootings at his alma mater, Kent State | SBNation
Saban talked at some length about what May 4 has meant to him. His answer is worth watching.

Tennessee’s offense has been sloppy and lucky. That’s not gonna cut it against Florida. | SBNation
Scoring on these Gators is gonna require the Vols’ best day of offense in a long time.

BYU Cougars vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Saturday at 3:30PM EST on ESPN2 from FedEx Field in Landover, MD. The Mountaineers look to close out their non-conference schedule undefeated and make some noise heading into Big 12 conference play. West Virginia is favored by a touchdown.

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. (16) Baylor Bears
Saturday at 7:30PM EST on FOX from Waco, TX. The other undefeated Big 12 team kicks off their conference slate with the should-be undefeated Cowboys. Baylor is a 9 point favorite.