The Shotgun/Throwdown (12/3/18): Who’s calling plays in the Camping World Bowl, and who’s sitting this one out?

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

Football

Holgorsen faces unknowns about Spavital, seniors for bowl | WV MetroNews
Dana Holgorsen knows where West Virginia is going this bowl season. Now it’s a matter of finding out who is coming with him to the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Fla., when the Mountaineers face Syracuse on Dec. 28.

Old Big East Foes to Meet Once Again | West Virginia Athletics
For the second time in six years West Virginia is facing Syracuse in a bowl game. Hopefully this time around it will be a lot warmer for both teams when they meet in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 28 in the 2018 Camping World Bowl.

Syracuse vs. West Virginia won’t bring Schwartzwalder Trophy to Orlando | Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
BRING THE DAMN TROPHY.

WVU trying to maintain commitments as deadline approaches | Charleston Gazette-Mail
We’re just over two weeks from the early signing period, and that means a lot of interesting things are happening in the world of recruiting. Coaches are out visiting recruits, recruits are about to visit campuses, and teams are trying their hardest to hold on to commits. West Virginia fits all three of those categories, with two current commits being pursued hard by opposing teams.

Camping World Bowl Ticket Information | West Virginia Athletics
Tickets for West Virginia's appearance in the 2018 Camping World Bowl on Friday,December 28, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, are now on sale on a priority basis to 2018 Mountaineer Athletic Club (MAC) members and football season ticket holders at WVUGAME.com. MAC members and season ticket holders should login to their online account to place priority ticket requests

What might have been for West Virginia | WV News
What better time to think what might have been for West Virginia than the day it finds itself going back to the future, heading for Orlando to play former Big East rival Syracuse in the World Camping Bowl at 5:15 p.m. on December 28?

Basketball

WVU basketball notebook: Turnovers down, assists up during win streak | Charleston Gazette-Mail
The West Virginia University men’s basketball team got off to a rough start this season, losing two of its first three games and not looking particularly impressive in its win against Monmouth. Since then the Mountaineers have rattled off consecutive wins against St. Joseph’s, Valparaiso, Rider and Youngstown State and appear to be playing a better brand of basketball during the streak. A look at the team’s statistics tells part of that tale.

HERTZEL COLUMN: Routt’s become an important piece for WVU | Times West Virginian
Today, Routt serves as Konate’s backup and, it turns out, he may prove to be a crucial element for the Mountaineers for Konate is nursing an injured knee that may provide problems all season. On Tuesday night, Konate had to sit out and Routt find himself, this one-time weakling whom no one wanted, starting.

Pardee Reaches Milestone in Loss to Mizzou | West Virginia Athletics
Senior guard Katrina Pardee scored her 1,000th career point but it wasn't enough for the No. 21 West Virginia University women's basketball team in a 68-51 loss to Missouri in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Sunday evening at the WVU Coliseum.

West Virginia Athletics

Thrasher, Osborn Finish Fourth | West Virginia Athletics
Following two days of competition, senior Ginny Thrasher and sophomore Sarah Osborn of the No. 3-ranked West Virginia University rifle team finished fourth in the women's all-age and junior divisions, respectively, at the 2018 USA Shooting Winter Airgun (WAG) Championships at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Around the Big 12

Bill Snyder retires, concluding college football’s most amazing turnaround ever | SBNation
Winning at Kansas State used to be impossible. Now it’s shocking when the Wildcats don’t. That’s still incredible.

Around the NCAA

THIS WEEK IN SCHADENFREUDE, Buckeyes and Dawgs can’t decide who rigged Playoff | SBNation
Georgia and Ohio State ended Selection Sunday with their noses pressed up against the Plexiglas of the Playoff. Let’s check in with some of their fans online.

The College Football Empires Map entering bowl season | SBNation
The season started with every FBS team in control of its area. Since then, each winning team has taken each losing team’s land.

Every 2018-19 bowl game, ranked by watchability | SBNation
Our index of the best bowls to watch, from the Playoff to the Bahamas and everywhere in between.

What the 2018 Playoff would’ve looked like with 6, 8, or 24 teams | SBNation
Here’s what a few superior playoff brackets would’ve looked like for this season.

The College Football Playoff’s Best vs. Most Deserving Debate Doesn’t Matter | The Ringer
Oklahoma secured the fourth and final spot in this season’s playoff. What does the Sooners’ selection teach us about what really matters to the selection committee?

UCF Didn’t Lose a Game—but the Knights Lost to College Football’s Playoff Cartel | The Ringer
After a second consecutive undefeated season failed to earn Central Florida a playoff spot, it’s clear that the sport’s power structure will never let the Knights—or the best Group of Five team of any given season—have a shot at the national title game

The Packers were so bad in Week 13 they went ahead and fired Mike McCarthy | SBNation
The Monday Morning Pleighbook is a collection of the best things in the NFL from week to week.

The Chargers got all the breaks — for once — in their win over the Steelers | SBNation
Years of being snakebit built enough football karma to make the Chargers an unstoppable good luck machine.

The Ravens’ Impending Lamar Jackson Decision and Week 13’s Game-Changing Plays | The Ringer
Is Baltimore more effective with its rookie QB under center? Plus: Aaron Donald as the league’s best insurance policy, the Texans’ quiet dominance, and Tyler Lockett’s incredible efficiency.

The Best Television Shows of 2018 | The Ringer
Including ‘Succession,’ ‘Atlanta,’ and eight more shows that everyone (or at least two critics) can agree on

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