Ya’ll, it has been a long time coming for this one. Think about all the events and memories that have been made in your life since the last time Appalachian and Wake Forest met on the gridiron. If you had a child born in 2001, they are getting their drivers license this year. Dale Earnhardt’s death was still fresh on many Carolinian minds and the World Trade Center was still standing. A lot has changed, but the hunger for these two schools to play football hasn’t diminished. Eighty-eight miles of US 421, partially named by famous stock car drivers on some stretches, is all that separates these two schools. Unfortunately, college football started becoming less about the game on the field and more about padding the back pockets of those who keep watch over athletics. Appalachian and Wake could have easily scheduled a win, or gone on the road to get a paycheck and keep the budgets in the black. Thankfully, these two schools have remembered what is important about one of the experiences of college football. Packed stadiums, plenty of atmosphere and a competitive spirit inside and outside the lines. Conference footprints have expanded so that the parishioners at service on Sunday do not recognize the schools opponents. Its hard to explain how much this just feels right. Appalachian and Wake Forest belong in the same breath. Even with scholarship discrepancies in the past, these two schools were neck and neck on the field more than enough times. Neither side wants to lose and both expecting a win. I’m not sure college football gets any better than that.

Please continue reading at www.bigctailgate.com or https://blackandgoldpodcast.com

Heart says...

App 24
Wake 21

Through the grace of God and moonshine.

Black and Gold - 31
Old Gold and Black - 30

20-17 App
Rubino game winning FG. Our defense scores one of our TD's

Mountaineers 24
Deacons 21

Before the season started I saw this game being much like our match-up against Toledo back in December. Three games into this young season, I'm not as convinced. However, I will go with my heart and say:

App 31

Weak 28

Men from Boone.......22
Boys from Wake.........18

14-17...... leaning toward the good guys

Hate to. But just haven't seen it from our offense and our D gives up the occasional big play

Hope I'm way wrong.

Wake - 24
App - 17

N.P.

I hope the good guys win... Based on last weeks game I just do not see it happening. I hope I am wrong though! Me picking Wake guarantees that App wins so you can all thank me later!

Wake - 38
App - 17

I really wish this is reversed but with a heavy heart:

Wake 24
App 13

Our D is the best they see all year.
App 28
Wake 24

App > 27
Wake > 24

Vegas is pretty smart
O/U 49
Spread 5
They just got it backwards
App 27
Wake 22

WF 21
App 13

If this had been played two years ago I think we'd have won by two TDs. They've gotten better obviously, and I'd be lying if I said I don't have major concerns about our offense. But.....

App 20
Wake 19

We kick it into gear this weekend:

App - 28
Wake - 24

421N - 26
421S - 20

App -> 27
Wake -> 17

Y'all get loud for me.