Your Morning Conference Realignment Update

((ht: statesman.com))

Well, the next dominos to fall in the "Galactic Realignment" of College Football should fall if not today (Monday), then sometime in the next couple of days.

We, along with the rest of the universe, reported both Texas and Oklahoma regents would be meeting today to discuss their options. Those options, at least from their perspective got a bit clearer this weekend when Pitt and Syracuse committed to the ACC.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, substantive talks between Texas and others with the Pac-12 occurred this weekend. Made more convenient due to Texas playing UCLA in Los Angeles. This despite Pac-12 commish Larry Scott saying just last week, "We're happy where we are". And we will say, these schools are coming to the Pac-12, not the other way around.

Statesman reporter Kirk Bohls reports Texas would prefer to stay in the Big 12, but that may not be possible.

Read the entire story RIGHT HERE

What it appears will happen is this: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St., Texas Tech and Texas appear all but certain to head to the Pac-12. Scott is doing his best to try and accommodate/fold in, the Longhorn Network. We are reasonably certain, that will work out.

The only question really is when?

In light of this weekends moves, we expect this all to go down this week. There has been speculation that the Big 12 will try and absorb some schools from another conference. (The Big East football schools?).

Initially, we thought it would be the Big East and ACC who would have to combine to make their own super-conference, we don't think that now. It will end up being the remnants of the Big 12 combined with the Big East. It has to be. There's no other choice for any of the remaining schools to survive in the new landscape.

There are still questions out there. There is no guarantee Missouri or Kansas will sit for a combined conference. Though they certainly could and be just fine.

The other wild card is West Virginia. There's been a lot of speculation they want in the SEC. In a bad way. They question is: "Does the SEC want them?". And really, nobody knows the answer to that.

A Sports-Talk radio host in Pittsburgh tweeted Sunday that the Mountaineers have already sent their paperwork to the SEC. And the interest is mutual.

We could go on forever discussing the repercussions of all this. There are a lot of teams and a lot of people who are anxiously awaiting the fallout. The seismic shift is coming and while Saturday's announcement was big and in some ways, very surprising, it won't be the biggest. That friends, is a rose that has yet to be delivered.

We don't watch this show, though the Lovely Bride does, and don't totally understand this, but it is the best analogy would could think of visually to go along with this story, because these schools and conferences are essentially doing the same thing.

DEVELOPING: Stewart Discussions Today In Morgantown ((UPDATED: Stewart's Gone))

((HT: Charleston Gazette/Hickman))

Current-soon-to-be-ex West By Gawd Virginia head football coach Bill Stewart and his new attorney, Michael Benninger, seem to be discussing some kind of exit.

The points of contention come from Hickman's article:

When Stewart was allowed to stay on for another year, it was done by way of a letter as an attachment to his revised contract, stipulating that he would coach the 2011 season, it was to be at his originally-agreed-upon (in 2008) salary of roughly $1 million.

But there is also a clause in the December agreement that says if Stewart is asked to coach in 2011 and then is terminated at any time during the 2011 season -- and this would presumably count as during that season -- the university shall pay him the aforementioned amounts (the $750,000 and $375,000, or a total of $1.125 million).

This has gone from sad to downright creepy with all the backdoor tactics of a Nixonian dirty tricks campaign as Stewart allegedly tried to have reporters paint coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen in the worst light possible so Stewart could stay employed longer than his amended contract... and, at the same time, kinda give an amended "FU" to the higher-ups in Morgantown for kicking Stewart out the door in the first place... somewhat occupationally prematurely...

But Athletics Directors are good at that these days...

Yeesh...the Watergate burglars would be proud of this one...

This tune should sum it all up...


UPDATE:

Bill Stewart's new attorney Michael Benninger confirmed to WVMetronews.com that he will meet with WVU lawyers concerning Stewart's future with the University. Whether that process involves a buyout is unknown.

"We are now engaged in a meaningful process,” Benninger said of the upcoming meeting with University lawyers. “Bill is interested in doing what is best for his family and the University,”

PM UPDATE: He's gone... and by "he" we mean Stewart...

Here's Oliver Luck introducing Holgorsen as head coach, thanks to our friends at WVIllustrated...

Geoff Coyle was there for WVI, and Luck was not really a happy man...

“I think the one thing you don’t want around any program are distractions,” said Luck. “I think the totality of the circumstances, the totality of all the innuendo and other things that were being said and the distractions that I believed would not come to a close prompted me to sit down with Coach Stewart and discuss these issues in a very frank and candid manner.”

Luck Running Stewart Out Of West Virginia?

[HT: The Sporting News]

Matt Hayes at sportingnews.com is reporting that a source close to the situation says West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck is negotiating a buyout with Mountaineer head coach Bill Stewart and thus the head coach in waiting tag would be removed from Dana Holgorsen and the gig would be his for 2011.

You can read Hayes's story RIGHT HERE

In a text message Luck responded with a no comment back to sportingnews.com.

WV Illustrated.com is also citing multiple sources confirming that buyout negotiations are underway. Which means both stories have some merit. The buyout numbers are supposedly in the $650,000 to $800,000 range.

The story from Scott Grayson and wvillustrated.com RIGHT HERE

Those of us in the OSG HQ believe that something will go down and Bill Stewart will out by Friday. Holgorsen is Oliver Luck's guy and Luck is sticking his neck out for the soon to be WVU head coach.

The "Luck" Of The Mountaineers

Bill Stewart

What is it about family feuds and West Virginia? This one involving the Stewarts (WVU head coach Bill and his wife), the Holgorsen's (WVU head coach in waiting Dana) is proving to be a damn good soap oprea.

There is even spectulation that West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck could just wipe the slate clean and get rid of Bill Stewart and Dana Holgorsen and bring back RichRod.

Read the CBSSports.com story RIGHT HERE

Tuesday West Virginia A.D. Oliver Luck released this statement regarding the whole mess within the Mountaineer football program.

“There have been various reports, much speculation, and rumor around our football program and coaches. But I want to make it clear that I consider these to be personnel matters and while I take them very seriously, I am dealing with them internally and privately – and I will not discuss them publically.

“What I will say is that our athletic department coaches and staff are clear that their focus is on the program, the team and a successful season.

“My expectations of all our coaches and staff have not wavered; that is to run a clean and honest program with the utmost integrity and professionalism. Anything less is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Pittsburgh reporter: Stewart wanted dirt on Holgorsen

Bill Stewart

Sigh...

Are we sure we are talking about grown-ups here? According to Colin Dunlap, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he was approached and asked by West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart to see if he could "dig up some dirt" on his heir apparent, Dana Holgorsen.

The reveal came during an interview on Pittsburgh radio station 93.7, the Fan late Monday night. Dunlap told the station Stewart said to him "You need to dig up this dirt, you need to get it out on this guy" in a phone call.

This comes on the heels of yesterday's reports that Stewart--or his wife planted reports about Holgorsen allegedly having an alcohol issue in two West Virginia newspapers.

This is a story that appears to have a some legs and will keep developing. We're afraid its going to get even uglier for the people involved. Wisely, Holgorsen is keeping a low profile and hasn't publicly commented on this. He shouldn't. It's just going to feed the machine. He needs to let it play out and what happens, happens. After it does, he can speak his mind.

Here is the interview, Courtesy: KDKA The Fan radio/SportsbyBrooks--


CREDIT: KDKA-FM PITTBURGH by sportsxbrooks

Was Holgorsen story a plant by current coach Bill Stewart?

Bill Stewart

((ht: smokingmusket.com))

**Update**--WVU is now investigating this "incident" and has put the exit contract Bill Stewart on hold until it is resolved.

Hmmm. If it was, we may have been a bit of a victim to it as well. Though we did attribute the report to the reporters in question. A couple of the comments, if what we are now reading is true, we probably shouldn't have made.

You can read the original story RIGHT HERE

It appears that there may be a few "Issues" in West Virginia surfacing from its coaching tree. Last week, we mentioned a report from the Huntington, West Virginia Herald-Dispatch and later forwarded by the Wheeling News-Register, laying out an apparent sequence of events showing that "Coach-in-waiting" Dana Holgorsen has a history of getting tossed from Casino's and bars.

WVU and the Charleston Daily-Mail refute the report RIGHT HERE

Some question has arisen about the accuracy of said report. According to a couple of Blogs in West Virginia, the tip on the story may have come from Holgorsen's current boss Bill Stewart.

Interesting.

Read the story from the Smoking Musket RIGHT HERE

According to the Musket, Stewart has been less than thrilled with the whole hiring of Holgorsen to replace him in 2012 thing. Which, about that, we question the process, as laid out by AD Oliver Luck too.

The question though is why? Why would Stewart try and sabotage Holgorsen like that? Why would he sabotage the integrity of the program like that? Why would he release that info to a couple of selected reporters? And why, if it isn't true, did those reporters, report it?

All legitimate questions. Questions someone needs to answer. For their part. West Virginia has vigorously denied most of the accusations against their coach in waiting, calling the allegations "Blatant Lies."

This is beginning to sound like the script from a soap opera or movie, it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Here's Stewart after the Mountaineers Spring Game--thanks WVU:

Future West Va. coach Dana Holgersen: Alcoholic, problem or bad luck?

Dana Holgorsen/Courtesy: twifonline.com

((ht: herald-dispatch.com))

Hmmm. Future West Virginia head football coach Dana Holgorsen appears to have some baggage that's come along with him. According to the Huntington, West Virginia Herald-Dispatch, Holgorsen has been tossed from anywhere from 3 to 6 places in the past six months---for being drunk and disorderly.

Holgorsen was asked to leave the Mardi Gras Casino, May 18th after the Casino called police to help them remove an intoxicated customer who wouldn't leave. That customer was Holgorsen. No charges were filed, but apparently it wasn't the 1st time it's happened either.

According to the report, and a supplemental story from a Wheeling, West Virginia paper, Holgorsen has ben asked to leave 2 other Casino's this year for similar incidents. He's also been allegedly banned at the Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport and supposedly is not allowed at the bar at the Morgantown hotel that he's living at.

Read the Herald-Dispatch story RIGHT HERE

Holgorsen was hired in December to take over the West Virginia football program in 2012 from Bill Stewart. That unto itself was odd. Holgorsen will be the offensive coordinator in 2011, before taking the reins. He was given a 6-year, $14.25 million contract to do it.

It sounds like he's got a problem. And it's a problem that he better get taken care of...fast. After the Mardi Gras casino incident, he apparently released a statement saying "I will not put myself in that situation again."


As most people know, the 1st step in solving a drinking problem is admitting there is a problem. And while the evidence is a bit circumstantial, it sure sounds like that is what is happening here.

If Holgorsen doesn't make a drastic change, it's only a matter of time before his "Problem" will put him on the unemployment line.

Here is Holgorsen's introductory presser from December. Thanks WVU:

OSG Buzzer Beater: Peyton Siva's Shot Boosts Louisville Over West Virginia

Louisville point guard Peyton Siva is 5'11" but with the game on the line that didn't stop him in challenging West Virginia bigs 6 foot 8 Kevin Jones and John Flowers whose 6-7. Siva just flipped the ball up, hit the top of the backboard and went through the net and Louisville was a winner 55-54.

Here's the highlights including Siva's shot. (Thanks WHAS-TV Louisville, KY)



"Peyton made a great play." Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said in a press conference after the game.

"I was hoping," Siva said. "I looked up and I fell down and I just saw it fall through."

TWTW Bowling: NC State Is Champs Over WBGV

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

There are just those bowl games where it's easy to see that one team wanted to be there, and the other really would have liked to be someplace else- any place else other than where they were on that night.

Kinda like WBGV in Orlando playing against NC State...

The Wolfpack wanted to be there, and the Mountaineers surely didn't look like they were the least bit interested.

Russell Wilson threw for 275 yards in a 23-7 win for NC State, and now his future is in question- whether its baseball or returning for one more year of football.

"I've been blessed to have the opportunity to play football and baseball my whole life," Wilson said. "If it happens in the future that I can still do that, or if it doesn't, whatever, but I know that playing for Coach (Tom) O'Brien and playing for N.C. State — whether I do come back or not — has been a great opportunity and a great blessing.

"I'm very passionate about N.C. State and N.C. State football, and I will always be."

Here's Nate Irving, who came back from a really bad car accident to make an impact for Tom O'Brien in 2010, talking about the win...

West Virginia Has A New Head Coach..... In 2012

The "head coach in waiting" title has become the new trend in college football. It worked out great for Florida State. Not so well for Texas and maybe Maryland where James Franklin and Vanderbilt are talking.

West Virginia has hired former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen as the Mountaineers head coach in waiting for 2011 then take over as head coach in 2012.

"I look forward to the opportunity to join West Virginia University as offensive coordinator for the 2011 season,” Holgorsen said in a statement released by the University.

“Naturally, I am excited about succeeding coach Stewart in 2012 and becoming the head coach of the Mountaineers and leading the West Virginia football program to even greater heights."

“My goal is to win a national championship at West Virginia University, and I firmly believe that coach Stewart has built a solid foundation, which will allow us to compete with the very best in the country."

Current head coach Bill Stewart has a lame duck year ahead of him after the Mountaineers play NC State in the Champs Sports Bowl.

"I look forward to having Coach Holgorsen join our staff and working with him to ensure a smooth transition in 2012." Stewart said in a University release.

Those of us in the OSG HQ see a disastrous 2011 season for West Virginia. Are the players going to see Bill Stewart as their leader? Will their be a tendency to go behind Stewart's back? Will their be disarray within the coaching staff?

I bring this up because their was a reason why Florida State was mediocre at best during the last two years of the Bobby Bowden era, it was the questions I bring up for West Virginia.

If you don't like Bill Stewart as your head coach pay the man and make the move now.

Check out Bill Stewart's "Leave No Doubt" speech before the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. (Thanks WilsonTigerFootball/Youtube.com)

Big East Football Classic..... Sort of. UConn Finally Defeats West Virginia In Overtime

If we kept track of BCS conference standings, and here at the OSG HQ we do, then the Big East Conference would be dead last well behind 5th place ACC.

For the past few years West Virginia has been the lone bright spot in the Big East. The Mountaineers have challenged teams from conferences from the upper half of the BCS food chain and won. Of course that was during the Rich Rodriquez era in Morgantown. The Bill Stewart era has tried to maintain the status quo in Mountaineerland but it just hasn't happened. That's too bad because West Virginia's fans are as passionate as they come.

West Virginia had never lost to Connecticut, until Friday night when an overtime 27 yard field goal by Dave Teggart gave the Huskies a 16-13 win over the Mountaineers.

"I'm proud of everyone and it feels good to beat West Virginia for the first time in seven years." Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall said.

"Tough Loss, I hate it dearly, the Mountaineers played hard, but it was very disappointing." West Virginia Head Coach Bill Stewart said. "Maybe the UConn Huskies fans rushing the field all around us will linger in their mind and hopefully they do not have that feeling too many times during their career at West Virginia."

Here's the game winning field goal and post game sound from WTIC-TV. (Thanks WTIC-TV/FoxCT/Hartford Courant)

 

Photo Courtesy: Hartford Courant)

TWTW: Marrone Gets Biggest Win At Syracuse, Upsets WBGV...

((HT: WSYR-TV Syracuse))

Doug Marrone has his "signature" win.

In his second season coaching his alma mater, Marrone gets arguably the program's biggest win in a decade- beating Number 20 West Virginia 19-14 in Morgantown. It's Syracuse's first win there since 2000, and snapped a 12-game home win streak.

Syracuse intercepted Geno Smith 3 times leading to nine points. Offensively, the Orange kept the ball on the ground- 188 yards among Delone Carter, Antwon Bailey and Prince-Tyson Gulley. Bailey carried the ball 19 times for 94 yards.

With the win, SU improves to 5-2 overall, 2-1 in the Big East. Syracuse is on the road next week when they visit Cincinnati, and they're only two wins away from being bowl eligible...

Enjoy another nebulous fan piece, thanks to our friends at WSYR-TV in Da 'Cuse...

LSU Wins But Where Is The Offense?

LSU during Les Miles' watch has won a few games defying logic. Maybe Miles is taking that through a whole season.

LSU is 4-0 on the season and winning with superior special teams, especially in the return game, and a damn fine defense. Correct me if I'm wrong but a football team normally scores with its offense. LSU seems to want to blow that theory out the window.

Saturday night in Tiger Stadium LSU barely got by West Virginia 20-14 with only 12 first downs and only 230 yards of total offense. Steven Ridley was the only offense LSU had gaining 116 yards and scoring the Tigers only touchdown on offense.

"We can run the football well," LSU head coach Les Miles said. "We didn't throw it as well as we would have liked. Our quarterback play has got to get better. It's just that simple. Our guys know it. We are going to work on it. We'll start yet again on Monday."

For the third straight game LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson threw for less than a hundred yards and no touchdowns. Against the Mountaineers Jefferson threw two interceptions. Backup Jarrett Lee came in the game in the fourth quarter and didn't ignite a spark either.

"We needed a change right there," Miles, a.k.a The Hat said. "We put in Lee. Lee came in, he made a pass, and he did some things we wanted him to do, and then, we wanted to run the clock out, and we felt better with Jefferson running the clock out. That's why we put him back in."

LSU fans, that's got to make you feel good that Jefferson is much better at running out the clock.

Patrick Patterson was amazing running back a West Virginia punt 60 yards for what turned out to be a critical touchdown then striking a Heisman pose afterwards which lead to the raining of yellow hankies.

"I got too overboard," Peterson said of his Heisman pose. "I just have to calm it down next time."


Click on the link for a game report from WAFB-TV.

http://www.wafb.com/global/Category.asp?C=195952&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5144501&flvUri=&partnerclipid=


Photo Courtesy: Travis Spradling/Baton Rouge Avocate

West Va Holds Off Marshall In Coal Bowl

((HT: WSAZ-TV Huntington))

When TBH called from the road and said that she was disgusted by the end of the Marshall-West Virginia game, it took a while to find out why.

A 98-yard and a 99-yard drive with a two-point conversion thrown in would do that...

A missed field goal by the Herd in overtime sealed the 24-21 win in the extra frame.

There was too much karma involved, you would think, for a Marshall win but it wasn't to be...

More when we know more, but in the interim here's the 10PM piece from Channel 3...
RIGHT HERE...

Mining Activists Demand Nike Apology Over WV Uniforms

Mountaintop removal mining activists are demanding Nike pull its promotional ad for a new West Virginia football uniform because it features a strip mine.

The HQ is looking at the semantics of the argument, and we understand the beef. But we think it goes under the "it's the thought that counts" category.

The design is a tribute to 29 men killed in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion. But activists, including a guy by the name of Bo Webb, point out the mine was an underground operation.

Once again, we get it, but we're not pouring over every inch of the presentation looking for inaccuracies. Would Mister Webb have preferred the player-representation be underground with the helmet streak lighting the way out...???

They say the ad suggests WVU and Nike endorse the controversial form of strip mining, and Webb wants apologies to the people harmed by such mines.

Right...

West Virginia is wearing the uniform for the "Back Yard Brawl" at Pitt.

Here's Bob Huggins explaining/reading what Nike did...
((HT: The Swoosh/Youtube))


The HQ will admit the uni looks kinda cool, though...

Chris Henry Had Early Stages Of Brain Disease....

This will probably get the attention of everyone playing in the NFL and everyone who has played in the NFL.

Chris Henry, a receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, who had died after falling from a truck in a domestic dispute in December of 2009, has been found to already been suffering from a brain issue that doctors are finding more and more frequently in football players.

The disease, CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a progressive brain disease that has been found in quite a few former players, all of whom died young.

Doctors, think, emphasis on think, that the disease is caused from traumatic brain injuries such as helmet to helmet hits. However, the previous cases had been primarily in older players who played more physical positions such as on the line.

Henry however was 26, and he was a wide receiver and not known as being particularly physical.

Much more on the report from the New York Times RIGHT HERE

((Chris Henry//Courtesy: Cincinnati Enquirer))

The NFL and other sports leagues have finally, after years of ignoring the issue of concussions and long term brain injury effects, started to addressing the issue. At this point, they haven't reacted to this finding, though the doctors from West Virginia University who did the forensic exam are going to discuss what they found later in the day on Monday.

Here's Maureen O'Boyle and Jeff Atkinson with the early run down in Charlotte
Thanks to our friends at WBTV-CBS3

Penny For Your Thoughts... Or Upside The Head...

((HT: FSN Pittsburgh))

The "Backyard Brawl" between West Virginia and Pittsburgh is always cool to watch- regardless of the sport that's played. But things got a lot out of hand last night.

Panther associate coach Tom Herrion had been hit in the cheek by a coin thrown from the crowd after a call went against the Mountaineers.

First thing WVU Head Coach Bob Huggins did was get on the stick to talk his fans off the ledge.


But the fans didn't stop... so much for that idea... that's when Herrion got hit.


WVU won by 19, somewhat comfortably, and it was the 18th win in the last 21 games for them in the series...

"We're not going to make a big deal out of it,'' Pitt's Jamie Dixon said afterward to the West Virginia Gazette. "[Herrion is] OK. Neither teams' players did anything. It was just wrestling.

"It was an unfortunate incident, but I don't want one person to reflect on an entire university... Our guy's OK.''

The Big 10 Conference Becoming 12?

The Big 10 conference going to a dozen is gaining traction to the point where the league itself is exploring the possibility of inviting a 12th member.

Explore heck do it. The Big 10 right now is the only league that could compete with the mega - SEC for supremacy in college football. The Big 10 is held back because they do not have a championship game which would add millions of dollars. Then the snow ball rolls, the Big 10 network benefits, ESPN ups the ante for Big 10 football, another network throws money at the Big 10 and so on and so on.

Who will that 12th team be? That question was open for discussion at the OSG HQ and here's our take.

Missouri - Most in the Big 10 feel Mizzou fits the conference's profile, large state university with some football tradition, good basketball tradition, boosters with deep pockets and a strong fan base. Should Mizzou be on the Big 10's short list the university will listen.

“The University of Missouri has not been contacted by the Big Ten." University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton said in a statement to the Kansas City Star. "Should there be an official inquiry or invitation, we would evaluate it based upon what would be in the best interest of MU athletically and academically."

The Big 10 would like Missouri in the fold. odds: 2-1

Notre Dame - The Big 10 and Notre Dame have been dancing for decades. Yes they would be a great get for the conference but Notre Dame still prints its own money and won't share. The Big 10 will dangle the carrot again and it will depend if NBC wants to continue to fund Notre Dame athletics. We will set the odds at 20-1.

Pittsburgh - This would be great for Penn State because the Nittany Lions can renew what was a great rivalry with the Pitt Panthers. Adding Pitt would give the conference another school in a large market who is football mad. While the Panthers have great support the fan base is a little questionable and how many boosters can write large checks? Odd 25 - 1

Rutgers - There are reports that Rutgers is openly lobbying for an invite into the Big 10. Greg Schiano desperately wants to raise the profile of the football program and the University is on board with that. Joining the Big 10 conference would give a huge boost to Rutgers for recruiting and profile. You wonder if the fan support and booster funds are there but Rutgers has the intangibles though. Odds 30-1

West Virginia - We are just throwing them out there but the Mountaineers would be a great fit in the Big 10. Great football tradition, willingness of the boosters to spend liberally and a terrific fan base. You just have to wonder if the Big 10 likes West Virginia's academic profile but WVU should be a no brainer for consideration. It's a football program dying to prove itself against the powers of the sport, this would do it. Odds 40-1

Nebraska - The Big 10 will study Nebraska hard. The Cornhusker fans are legendary for their support and being well behaved. While taking its lumps lately, Nebraska's football program is always top of mind. A change of scenery might help Nebraska but this would definitely be a hard sell. Nebraska would give up rivalries with Oklahoma & Colorado, have to refocus their recruiting territory and you can bet the Big 12 conference would fight like hell to keep one of its brand names in the fold. Odds 100-1.

Here's a few other schools to consider: Cincinnati (If they can upgrade their facilities big time but a big time long shot.), Kentucky (Talk about stirring the pot, raiding the SEC. We're just sayin')

Big 10 expansion is going to happen. Will the conference change its name? That's another discussion.

Meanwhile Drew Smith of WLUK Fox 11 in Green Bay, Wisconsin adds his own take and he even brings up Kentucky. Great minds think a like.

Thanks WLUK-TV/Youtube.com

TWTW: Mountaineers Heading To Gator Bowl

((HT: WOWK-TV/WBOY-TV))

The West Virginia University Mountaineers won their ninth game of the 2009 season with a 24-21 victory over Rutgers Saturday. Immediately after the game, the Mountaineers accepted an invitation to the Gator Bowl.

There's half of the equation in sending FSU head coach Bobby Bowden out on his ass. Now, all the Gator Bowl has to continue to do is disobey the ACC and hook-up with the Seminoles...

Stewart Verney, in an article in the Jacksonville version of Bizjournal Today, quotes bowl Director Rick Catlett as being real tired of the folks in Greensboro dictating what he can and can't do...

“We have sat back so many times and taken it from the ACC,” Catlett said. “To have [Swofford] trying to go around a contract is unacceptable.”

The game is at 1:00 New Year's Day on CBS, and it's the last year that the ACC is affiliated with the Gator Bowl. Next year, it's the Big 10's turn...

Catlett's not glad he's done with the ACC, is he...???

It will mark the seventh time the Mountaineers have played in the Gator Bowl and the fourth time this decade. WVU last played in the Gator Bowl in 2007, when they defeated Georgia Tech 38-35.

Should the Mountaineers end up facing Florida State, it will be the third time to the two teams have met in Jacksonville.

WVU lost the prior meetings to the Seminoles in 1982 and 2005.

Yeah, this is a done deal...

Here's how WBGV got their bid- team coverage, no less, from our friends at WOWK and WBOY-TV in Charleston and Clarksburg.
Amanda McCall and Scott Grayson are your QB's...

OSG College Football 2009 Predictions: Big East Conference

Pittsburgh: Last Year (9-4, 5-2 in the Big East). Losers in the Sun Bowl.

Offense: This is a senior laden experience crew that has high expectations for Coach Dave Wannstedt’s crew. Coming off of a 3-0 loss in the Sun Bowl last season, seniors Bill Stull and Pat Bostick are the guys to run the show at Quarterback. It’s rare for a team to have 2 seniors at QB, but the Panthers do. Receiver Jonathan Baldwin is expected to be a breakout star at Receiver as well.

Defense: The Defense loses Conference Player of the year Scott McKillop but, they will be led this season by Defensive End Greg Romeus and Cornerback Aaron Berry.

Strengths: They should be able to score in bunches, senior leadership is always a good thing and the Panthers are an experienced team.

Weaknesses: Some question marks on Defense, guys are going to have to step up. Some are still not convinced that Wannstedt is the guy to make them a consistent national power.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: The Panthers have been a decent team for the past couple of years but something seems to always hold them back. They haven’t come up big when necessary. Is that Coaching? You have to wonder a bit. They should be a good program and they have improved, but can they go further?

Wilkie: Pitt hired a new offensive coordinator (Frank Cignetti) to mix things up on offense. The key is QB Bill Stull to get the ball to the playmakers on the perimeter. If the Panthers can create some excitement on offense then I really like this Pitt team. The “Backyard Brawl” on Nov. 27th should be appointment viewing.

Jon: Look to November 27th for the game in Morgantown. That will determine the conference title.

West Virginia: Last Year (9-4, winner in the Meinke Car Care Bowl)

Offense: It all begins and ends with Noel Devine. The high flying running back was by far the best player on the team and he is back for another season. Jarrett Brown is prepared to step in for the departed Pat White and run the Mountaineer offense. Between the 2, expect these guys to score…a lot.

Defense: No real standouts here. The leader is probably Middle Linebacker Reed Williams, but much like Pitt, this is the unit that is going to have to improve for these guys to be a major factor in the conference.

Strengths: As always, offense. With Brown and Devine, scoring should not be an issue. They will score and sometimes very quickly.

Weaknesses: Defense and depth. With the quick strike offense, it is important the defense play well. Coach Bill Stewart just has to figure out if his guys are up to the task.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Again, can they stop people? They should be decent, but just how decent? There are athletes here, but I just don’t know that they have enough to run the table. Upper part of the conference, but I don’t see a championship…this season.

Wilkie: If the offensive line performs up to expectations then the Mountaineers will return to the top of the Big East conference. West Virginia has the best athletes and speed in the league. With that said, we will know this year if Bill Stewart can keep the express rolling in Morgantown.

Jon: The schedule sets up nicely for the Mountaineers. They get East Carolina, Auburn and Colorado early. That should tell Coach Stewart just how ready they really are. Heading in to November, they should only have two losses- max- and the challenges of going to USF, Cincinnati, and Rutgers will determine who gets the title on the 27th.

Cincinnati: (Last Year: 10-3, Lost in the Orange Bowl)

Offense: Quarterback Tony Pike and Receiver Mardy Gilyard return to the Bearcats for another season. They should lead Cinci who is coming off of its first conference title last season. Coach Brian Kelly is known for having a prolific offense and these guys don’t…and won’t disappoint.

Defense: Coach Kelly, your mission is: Replace 10 starters from last year’s defense. Folks that is a tough one for anybody to make up for. Much like the other teams in the East, they’ve got work to do on Defense. We will see how much work they have done in just a few weeks.

Strengths: Like the other teams, it’s all about the “O”. They should not have much trouble scoring, but they may need it to outscore the other team. Look for both Gilyard and Pike to have big seasons this year.

Weakness: Look at the defensive section and that will explain it all.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: They won’t repeat, but they will be a decent team. They will compete for the title, but you just can’t replace 10 starters on one side of the ball in one season and expect miracles. Bowl game for sure though.

Wilkie: The good news is that Brian Kelly is still the head coach and plans to stay awhile. The bad news is the defense, 10 starters gone. No sense beating on a dead horse (or Bearcat). The offense will have to outscore opponents and they should. No repeat in Cincy but a bowl game.

Jon: Their out-of-conference schedule has Fresno, at Oregon State, and Illinois. Brian Kelly isn’t messing around. But because of everyone graduating on defense, it’ll be a year where Pike and Gilyard have to match and surpass the points given up every week. They won’t set another school record, but it’ll be another bowl game.

South Florida: (Last Year: 8-5, Winner Magic Jack St. Petersburg Bowl)

Offense: It all starts with Matt Grothe. Grothe seems to have been around forever and there is a reason for that. He played early and often and very well and he is the undisputed leader of the Bulls offense. He will need some help and there are several guys who will need to step up and take a significant role if the Bulls want to make in impact this year.

Defense: Much like on offense, it all starts with one guy: George Selvie. Selvie, a perennial All-American returns for one last season and will try and carry the defense on a team and in a conference lacking in defensive standouts.

Strengths: Leadership. Coaching. Star Players. All the things needed to be a successful team and now they can say that they have a track record to boot.

Weaknesses: Depth. Lack of experience or at least standout players. They have 2 very good players and a lot of other guys. At least a few of them are going to have to step up in order for the Bulls to be successful.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: While Grothe and Selvie are very good players and Jim Leavitt is a very good coach, I don’t think they currently have the horses to make a significant impact this year. They will be very similar to last year’s team. Middle of the pack, but a bowl game.

Wilkie: Ditto to Phil’s point. Middle of the pack and a bowl game.

Jon: South Florida made their run in the polls by upsetting some folks, but they faded down the stretch in 2008. I’m thinking there’s a repeat performance there. I think it’s another pre-Christmas bowl game for one of the true magician-coaches out there.

Rutgers: (Last Year 8-5, Winner PapaJohns.com Bowl)

Offense: 2 Words…rebuilding year. It will be hard to duplicate last years team that won its last 7 games in large part due to the roster turnover. The Scarlet Knights are very young at Quarterback and Wide Receiver and someone will need to separate from the pack. The “O” line however is in good shape; All-Conference Tackle Anthony Davis spearheads what should be this unit’s strength.

Defense: Well, there really isn’t much discussion, pretty much anywhere about this unit. That probably is not a good thing. If there are no standouts, don’t expect this to be the team’s strength.

Strengths: O-Line. Youth. Coaching. There really isn’t much else to say. Greg Schiano is a good enough coach that they will be competitive, but they don’t have the horses to run…even with the big guys in this conference.

Weaknesses: They are very young and very inexperienced. They will struggle early but hopefully will improve as the season goes.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Expectations should be low for these guys. Hope is not gone, they should get better as the year goes, but don’t expect much in 2009.

Wilkie: I’m afraid it’s going to be a long year in Jersey. I don’t share the same optimism that my colleagues have. 6 wins will be the max for Rutgers, good enough for a bowl.

Jon: In the street fight that is the Big East, Schiano has shown he can take nothing and turn it into something. The out-of-conference games will boost the win total ((Howard, FIU, Texas Southern, Army)), but will it do their bottom line any good…? Another bowl… Another winning season… But they’ll get lost in the logjam…

Connecticut: (8-5 Last Season, Winners of the International Bowl)

Offense: They lost a lot when Donald Brown graduated to the NFL. Zach Frazier will be expected to take over the offense despite struggling mightily the last half of last season. Plus, the Line has to find someone to replace the massive William Beatty who also graduated to the NFL.

Defense: Darius Butler and Cody Brown have gone…who is going to step up. This unit was hit pretty hard too. They will be young and looking for leaders to emerge. Perhaps Defensive End Lindsey Witten?

Strengths: Coach Randy Edsall and his staff. This will be their best challenge yet; trying to get this bunch of young pups to succeed.

Weaknesses: Youth and inexperience pretty much everywhere. Frazier has some experience, but didn’t do much with it. Can he improve?

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Are we noticing a trend here with most of these teams? Most a rebuilding and most are really young; these guys are no exception to that. UConn fans like most Big East fans are going to need a lot of patience this year.

Wilkie: The Huskies have some doozy’s on their schedule, hosting North Carolina, travelling to South Bend to play Notre Dame (on NBC) and league road games at Pitt and at West Virginia doesn’t bode well for a team so inexperienced. Randy Edsall is the type of coach that can squeeze 6 wins out of a team like the 2009 UConn bunch. That alone is a big accomplishment.

Jon: Donald Brown’s loss is beyond-huge… and those of us here at OSG HQ have tremendous respect for what Randy Edsall has done in Storrs. But the losses on the field will add up to more losses on the field. They may be odd-man out for bowling in the East.

Louisville: (5-7 in 2008, no bowl game)

Offense: This was supposed to be Coach Steve Kragthorpe’s bread and butter; it was more butter than bread. Running Back Victor Anderson returns, so all is not lost, but there were indications last year that nobody either liked or understood the offense.

Defense: They didn’t exactly make their coaches look like geniuses either, giving up 39.5 points per game over the last 6. Something is going to have to give; it is just a question of what.

Strengths: Anderson for sure, nobody else knows for sure, this team pulled a Jekyll and Hyde routine, and they will have to play a few games for anyone to get a good read.

Weaknesses: Defense first and foremost; you aren’t going to survive in any major D-1 conference giving up points like that.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: Though Kragthorpe appeared to be the perfect fit for these guys, there were some cracks in the armor last season. There is some talent here and not a really good excuse for them to not at least be competitive in the conference.

Wilkie: Steve Kragthrope cleaned house of his offensive coaching staff and now he is the OC. His seat will be warm this year and Coach Krag knows it but he has an A.D. that will give Coach Krag some slack right now. 2009 will be a watershed year at Louisville but challenging for the Big East title just won’t be in the “Cards”. At least reaching a bowl might be.

Jon: Isn’t there a Brohm Coach Krag can find somewhere…??? Going to Utah and playing Southern Miss early may send the team into an early hole. The schedule softens late, but I don’t think it’ll be in time. Someone know what the patience level on Coach Krag is these days…??? It may be less after 2009.

Syracuse: (3-9 in 2008, no bowl game)

Offense: Improvement from the Gregg Williams regime, but there is still a long, long way to go. Give Coach Marrone some time and the Orange should be back.

Defense: 2 Words. Arthur Jones. Jones is one of the Beasts’ of the Big East and the undisputed leader of Syracuse’s defense. If he is fully recovered from his injury last year…look out.

Strengths: Continuity. Jones.

Weaknesses: Depth and the recovery from the previous regime.

OSG’s Take:

Phil: It is going to take awhile, but these guys are on the right track. They showed improvement last year and that should continue. They will be trouble later in the season.

Wilkie: A former Duke point guard (Greg Paulus) is in the mix for your starting QB position, head coach Doug Marrone has never run a college program, the offense, defense and special teams are works in progress and your fan base appears to be apathetic. Other than that Syracuse is fine. Good luck.

Jon: With Greg Paulus running the point, he should be good for 12 and 8 every game out. But the Orange will be lucky to repeat at 3 and 9.

Best of the Big East:

Winners: Phil - Pitt.
Wilkie- West Virginia
Jon- WBGV


Offensive MVP:
Phil: Noel Devine – West Virginia
Wilkie: Noel Devine
Jon: Noel Devine

Defensive MVP:
Phil: Arthur Jones - Syracuse
Wilkie: George Selvie – South Florida
Jon- George Selvie