Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Michelob Ultra, for tomorrow's tailgate.
What You May Have Missed:
Gold and Blue Now: Friday - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Coach Holgorsen gives his keys to the game against the Sooners. Former Oklahoma assistant coach Merv Johnson has a Sooner perspective going into tomorrow. And don't forget to wear gold!
Huggins' sighing period and State's opening - Charleston Gazette
His response: "We weren't very good."
Players Named to Academic All-Big 12 Football Team - WVU Athletics
The Big 12 Conference has named 131 student-athletes to the 2012 Academic All-Big 12 Football Team, the league office announced.
Women's Soccer Wins Academic Award - WVU Athletics
Women's soccer won an 11th-consecutive NSCAA Team Academic Award.
Men’s Soccer Earns Academic Award - WVU Athletics
The WVU men's soccer team earned an NSCAA Academic Award.
TV Show Coming To WVU To Profile Gameday Atmosphere - WVillustrated
A new program called "Food & Games" is heading to Morgantown to capture the food and people that make WVU games special.
News of Note:
Holgorsen Stands Behind Staff - WVMETRONEWS.COM
His team is mired in a four-game slide, his offense dogged by the defections of two receivers who had moved into starting roles, and his defense has allowed the most points in WVU history, but Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen isn't second-guessing himself or his staff.
WVU is still out to prove it belongs in the Big 12 - Charleston Daily Mail
If Dana Holgorsen could have his way, the West Virginia coach bookends the program's worst run in 11 years with a win Saturday against Oklahoma that stands tall opposite last month's win at Texas.
‘Challenge’ awaits Smith, Mountaineers - Charleston Daily Mail
"We're kind of excited about it, actually," Coach Dana Holgorsen said.
WVU, OU set to square off - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Mountaineers have captured last two contests against Sooners
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma Game Preview - WVillustrated
Although the game is not what many thought it would be at the beginning of the season, WVU looks to shock the highly ranked Sooners.
WVU, OU game has meaning - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
’Eers try to halt slide; Sooners riding 2-game winning streak
OU game will show what WVU is made of - Daily Athenaeum
But, as the old saying goes, winning cures all.
Conversion rate is dropping - Charleston Gazette
Successful 3rd- and 4th-down plays not there for Mountaineers
HERTZEL COLUMN: WVU has to gamble on 4th down - Times West Virginian
“Other than that, the other six, I would do it again,” he said.
Cats In Oklahoma's Cradle - BGN
After a miserable month, just about any change is a welcome occurrence for the struggling West Virginia football team.
Top receiving corps to clash at Mountaineer Field - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
WVU’s Austin, Bailey and OU’s Stills among nation’s best pass catchers
2 walk-ons in new trio providing WR depth at West Virginia - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
All three West Virginians find themselves promoted to bolster depth at wide receiver after two players left the team last week.
WVU’s Buie hopes to run well vs. Oklahoma - Register-Herald
“Like every other team we’ve seen, they rely on their safeties to come up and make a lot of plays in the run game.”
It’s back to the basics for WVU’s defense - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
WVU's defense understands that the team's success in that final trio of contests will rest a good bit on the unit's continued improvement.
Mountaineers not used to losing streaks - Inter-Mountain
The last time the Mountaineers dropped five consecutive games was in 1986.
Mountaineers looking to end four-game skid against No. 12 Sooners Saturday night - Daily Athenaeum
"Oklahoma is going to be a tremendous challenge," said West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen
Opposing view: OU writer Jason Kersey - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Today we're joined by Jason Kersey of The Daily Oklahoman, for whom he covers Oklahoma.
WVU’s win over Sooners in ’82 altered program - Charleston Daily Mail
"Our kids believed we could win; we had convinced them they could win."
Recruiting:
Nathan Adrian Is Officially A Mountaineer - WVillustrated
Morgantown's Nathan Adrian signs a letter of intent to play basketball at WVU. Watch full interviews with Adrian and Morgantown Head Coach Tom Yester by clicking here.
Around the League (and Beyond):
What to watch in the Big 12: Week 12 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
Big 12 by the numbers: Week 12 - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
'Belldozer' has changed the lives of Blake Bell's family - Oklahoman (autoplay video)
Baylor Bears vs. Kansas State Wildcats Preview Part I: The Stats - Our Daily Bears
Former K-State assistant recognized Klein’s talent early - Wichita Eagle
2012 Game XI: Iowa State vs Kansas Preview - Wide Right & Natty Lite
Kansas vs. Iowa State: Previewing the Cyclone Offense - Rock Chalk Talk
RED RAIDER OFFENSIVE PREVIEW: Defense be warned. - Cowboys Ride For Free
Taking Notes | Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Oklahoma St. Cowboys - Viva The Matadors
Game #3 Preview: TCU vs. SMU - Frogs O' War
DKR’s slow recruitment of blacks part of his legacy - Austin All American Statesman
How well do you know the Big 12 Conference? - Charleston Daily Mail
Here is some quick Big 12 trivia.
College GameDay Kickoff: Week 12 preview - ESPN
What's On Tap:
StatMilk previews below, ESPN previews HERE
(12) Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
7 pm Saturday from MPS on Fox. Land Thieves are giving 11.
(23) Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. (24) Oklahoma State Cowboys
3:30 pm Saturday from Boone Pickens Stadium on FSN affiliates. Pokes are giving 10.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas Jayhawks
7 pm Saturday from Memorial Stadium on FSN affiliates. Clones are giving 5.
(1) Kansas State Wildcats vs. Baylor Bears
8 pm Saturday from Floyd Casey on ESPN. Cats are giving 12.5.
College Football TV Schedule
Full TV listings (times listed are Central)
Video of Interest:
Noel Devine: The Long Run: Noel Devine shares his life story, with hopes that a life of loss and love, tragedy and triumph, despair and hope will inspire his community to rise above its trials.
Tailgate Recipe of the Week:
Chicken Enchilada Dip
Ingredients
3 cooked, boneless chicken breast halves, shredded
2 (8 ounce) packages light cream cheese, softened
4 green onions, chopped
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. chopped cilantro
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. paprika
In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, light cream cheese, green onions, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, garlic and cilantro. Season with chili powder, cumin, oregano and paprika. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
Reprinted from MadeInOklahoma.net
Video of (Dis)Interest:
Miss Throwdown:
Today's Miss Throwdown is the former Prestige from the end of our old Hump Day post magic show. CLICK HERE for today's gallery of Marisa Miller.