The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Day Two, Part I

* First some clerical business. A few really good suggestions for the name. Let’s vote,

Fiesta Fodder
Sidebars from Scottsdale
Glendale Glen Ross
CasAZza Blog
Blogoney
A journal of the highlights, sidelights, and lowlights of the Mountaineers’ preparation for the game named after a party snack that is held at a stadium named after a fake university
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To whoever e-mailed me the suggestion “I get paid for this?” I didn’t know if I should have been delighted or insulted. I decided since it wasn’t posted, I should move on. Moving on…

* The weather is … it’s not what I expected here. I’m very interested to see how the players feel about this. It’s like we were all deceived. I mean, I saw my breath yesterday and it was 7:37 p.m.

* Years from now, you’ll be able to tell your kids and their kids about the day Oakley sunglasses went out of style. All the media are wearing … is wearing them … Start over: All the reporters are wearing them here. Good news is I got my brother-in-law a gift — the $4.99 sunglasses I bought before coming out here.

* Interim coach Bill Stewart is obligated to speak for five minutes with the media before practice and he did 5:27 yesterday in which he used the word “bless” or “blessed” four times and referenced West Virginia five times. As told by the East Valley Tribune, Stew is a little different than his predecessor.

Pay attention to Stewart. He’s got that special-teams fire in his blood. He’s coached West Virginia quarterbacks and tight ends since arriving in 2000. A native of New Martinsville, W.Va., his roots and manners are apparent as soon as he walks into the room.

“God rest her soul, but my mother would not be pleased with this hat on (indoors), so please forgive me, but my hair would be worse,” Stewart said to reporters earlier this month. “So one time maybe Mom would understand.”

He’s becoming the story here, for obvious reasons, of course, but also because everyone is getting to know him and his story.

* Finally, a national championship was decided the last time West Virginia played in the Fiesta Bowl and, though it is a remote possibility, it may happen again this season. The third-ranked Sooners believe they are or can be No. 1. Coach Bob Stoops voted his team No. 1 and LSU No. 3 in the final coaches’ poll. Stewart said “I don’t buy any of that No. 3 stuff” and said he, too, thought Oklahoma was No. 1. Just another interesting storyline.

Practice at 1 p.m., where it’s expected we’ll find Noel Devine, and then off to Oklahoma’s practice.Â