Welcome, By-Godders, to The Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU’s best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.
Football
Five position battles to watch as WVU opens camp | The Times WV
When you think of the competition in college football, you think of such matters as the great rivalries — at least the ones that have survived the game’s restructuring. You think of offense vs. defense, the race to the Heisman, the playoffs that finally have come and given the game a true champion.But there is always a competition you don’t see — one just as intense, if not more so for it involves teammate vs. teammate, sometimes even roommate vs. roommate.
Making use of multiplicity a challenge for WVU | WV News
Without question, West Virginia has numerous players on offense with the ability to make plays in the Big 12 — perhaps more even than the record-setting 2012 season. With that established, one of the questions becomes how those players are used, and more importantly, how enough practice reps with different formations and personnel groupings can be run to become proficient at everything the coaches would like to employ.
Drenning: WVU defense built around the spur | WV News
Jed Drenning may be more known for his offensive savvy, but that doesn’t mean the Glenville Sports Hall of Famer can’t break down a defense either. After all, what record-setting quarterback worth his salt is unable to look at a defense and figure out what makes it tick? Thus it is that the West Virginia native and current sideline analyst for Mountaineer football games can pinpoint the linchpin of WVU’s defensive fortunes, and identify what the player in that role must do.
Capital's Kerry Martin Jr., 2 others commit to WVU football | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia added three more football commitments Saturday, including Capital standout Kerry Martin Jr., to its 2019 recruiting class.
WVU football recruiting: University standout Richardson picks Mountaineers | Charleston Gazette-Mail
West Virginia University continued their commitment streak on Sunday as University High athlete Amir Richardson pledged to the Mountaineers. He chose the home-state school over Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and more.
Around the Big 12
Ranking the Big 12’s toughest nonleague schedules | WV MetroNews
Allan Taylor evaluates which Big 12 schools are testing themselves ... and which ones aren't pushing the SoS envelope.
Sooners Defense Trying to Reach New Heights | Heartland College Sports
As the Oklahoma Sooners face plenty of turnover in 2018, the defense is looking to reach new heights.
Around the NCAA
Can you guess the most overrated team from each Power 5 conference over the last decade? | SBNation
Let’s compare preseason predictions to actual results.
How many hours before your college football team kicks off do you usually start drinkin’? | SBNation
Some general guidelines are below, but let’s hear it in the comments as well.
Former college football coaches put skills to work in cannabis and Chick-fil-A | ESPN
Marketing weed, working a fast-food grill, becoming a pastor -- coaches from Oklahoma State, Houston, Iowa and USC find their experience works in a new life with less stress.
Defensive lineman Adam Shuler joins Florida Gators as grad transfer from West Virginia Mountaineers | ESPN
Defensive lineman Adam Shuler has joined the Florida Gators as a graduate transfer and will have two years of eligibility remaining. He had 37 tackles and three sacks in 12 games last year at West Virginia.
2001 Miami is easily one of the greatest teams ever, but it’s still OK to debate | SBNation
The legendary Canes might be the right pick, but they aren’t the sole contender for the title.
Welp, Nick Saban will coach Bama until the end of the world (or perhaps around 2025) | SBNation
Saban’s getting lots of money, but the years on his extension with the Tide are the most notable thing.
TODAY’S FBS TEAM PREVIEW BY BILL C
As always, SB Nation’s Bill Connelly is working his way through every Division I FBS football team, from Georgia State to Alabama. Check out the teams Bill has already previewed by clicking HERE.
Clemson made the Playoff in a reset year. The reset’s over. | SBNation
Dabo Swinney’s Tigers are the clear class of the ACC, again.
Bronny James is the 13-year-old superstar son of LeBron. This is what you need to know | SBNation
It’s Bronny James’ world and we’re all just living in it.
The best and worst of the Tour de France, including Geraint Thomas, stupid fans, and incredible racing | SBNation
The 2018 Tour de France won’t be forgotten for a long time.
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