Big Games

[ah59396]

Does anyone else get the impression that we always fall flat in big focus games, whether it be nationally televised games or P5 matchups? Outside of our bowl games obviously.

I’m a firm believer that we lost all three of the following games moreso than our opposition won:

Penn State
Tennessee
Wake Forest

Kicking, penalties, bad bounces. We literally manufactured a way to lose all three of these big games. Is that just bad luck or something else?

And what about our ESPN games?

Obviously last night we possibly put on our worst performance ever, for a national audience. But I also thought we looked awful against Ark State. At least until late when we pulled away. Georgia Southern last season, 0-9 when we hosted them on Thursday night. It was 13-6 us going into the fourth quarter before we pulled away. And we looked awful there too.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it. Or does anyone else get this impression?

[appfanjj]

You can’t argue with the fact that outside of our bowl wins we have not won a “big” game other than you know who and I believe last night was the biggest by far. Disappointing for sure. There was ALOT riding on it for us. Especially validation of our ranking and national perception not to mention the SBC championship (still in play but not likely now). Gotta keep playing hard though because this season isn’t over. You could also add Auburn in 99(?) and the ECU game without AE to the list. Same old story.

[ah59396]

You can’t argue with the fact that outside of our bowl wins we have not won a “big” game other than you know who and I believe last night was the biggest by far. Disappointing for sure. There was ALOT riding on it for us. Especially validation of our ranking and national perception not to mention the SBC championship (still in play but not likely now). Gotta keep playing hard though because this season isn’t over. You could also add Auburn in 99(?) and the ECU game without AE to the list. Same old story.

Game against NC State too.

I mean, games like Clemson, Florida, VT (bleh) and Georgia, we just got beat by a better team and that’s okay.

But the prior games I mentioned and you’ve added, yeah I think they are all games we should have won and lost.

[bigdaddyg]

I would include Miami. We had a freaking pep rally, made a huge deal over the first big boy to play at our house then got punked. Even though they probably had more talent we didn’t even show up to the party after all the hoopla

[AppSt91]

It's called wilting under the spotlight.

[appgrad95&97]

Does anyone else get the impression that we always fall flat in big focus games, whether it be nationally televised games or P5 matchups? Outside of our bowl games obviously.

I’m a firm believer that we lost all three of the following games moreso than our opposition won:

Penn State
Tennessee
Wake Forest

Kicking, penalties, bad bounces. We literally manufactured a way to lose all three of these big games. Is that just bad luck or something else?

And what about our ESPN games?

Obviously last night we possibly put on our worst performance ever, for a national audience. But I also thought we looked awful against Ark State. At least until late when we pulled away. Georgia Southern last season, 0-9 when we hosted them on Thursday night. It was 13-6 us going into the fourth quarter before we pulled away. And we looked awful there too.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it. Or does anyone else get this impression?

I only disagree with your inclusion of the Penn St. game; I give this team a lot of credit for coming back from down 14 in that game. We blew leads in the Tenn and WF games (and I know we had a 4th quarter lead at Penn St.)

[ah59396]

Does anyone else get the impression that we always fall flat in big focus games, whether it be nationally televised games or P5 matchups? Outside of our bowl games obviously.

I’m a firm believer that we lost all three of the following games moreso than our opposition won:

Penn State
Tennessee
Wake Forest

Kicking, penalties, bad bounces. We literally manufactured a way to lose all three of these big games. Is that just bad luck or something else?

And what about our ESPN games?

Obviously last night we possibly put on our worst performance ever, for a national audience. But I also thought we looked awful against Ark State. At least until late when we pulled away. Georgia Southern last season, 0-9 when we hosted them on Thursday night. It was 13-6 us going into the fourth quarter before we pulled away. And we looked awful there too.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it. Or does anyone else get this impression?

I only disagree with your inclusion of the Penn St. game; I give this team a lot of credit for coming back from down 14 in that game. We blew leads in the Tenn and WF games (and I know we had a 4th quarter lead at Penn St.)

Agree it was pure guts to come back. But that’s 4th and 5 they got with under a minute to go will sit with me forever.

[appfanjj]

We also played 3 great quarters at Clemson. One bad quarter did us in.

[Rekdiver]

As many have said...you never know what the mind of an 18-22 year old fb player is thinking? Maybe the rank got to their collective heads? BUT the mistakes.....false starts, Holdings, punt drop...I sure didnt expect to see us fold like that.

[appgrad95&97]

As many have said...you never know what the mind of an 18-22 year old fb player is thinking? Maybe the rank got to their collective heads? BUT the mistakes.....false starts, Holdings, punt drop...I sure didnt expect to see us fold like that.

Really? Penalties and mental errors have defined our "big games".

[Yosef84]

I get the feeling that we have a segment of our fan base that seems to lay in wait until we lose a "big game" so they can trot out this tired observation. When you cherry pick which wins count in the analysis, it's easy to justify whatever "feeling" you have.

Last night sucked. We laid the biggest egg I've seen App lay in a long time but I don't see why anyone would somehow try to force that into some sort of over all negative assessment. We have a great group of young men and an excellent staff. Last night wasn't representative. It happened and it's in the books. Let's hope the ship gets righted and we see the REAL App State on the field again next week

[yosef69]

I agree with you. I love Satt, and think he is an excellent G5 coach. However, I just don't think he's ready for a P5 job just yet. His time management has bitten us a few times, and we always seem to lose big games by mistakes as you mentioned. A power 5 coach would not let the ranking get to the players' heads as it did last night.

Also, I know it was his first game, but how is our QB depth so weak? 80+ scholarships, and we have 0 depth at the most important position.

[ah59396]

I get the feeling that we have a segment of our fan base that seems to lay in wait until we lose a "big game" so they can trot out this tired observation. When you cherry pick which wins count in the analysis, it's easy to justify whatever "feeling" you have.

Last night sucked. We laid the biggest egg I've seen App lay in a long time but I don't see why anyone would somehow try to force that into some sort of over all negative assessment. We have a great group of young men and an excellent staff. Last night wasn't representative. It happened and it's in the books. Let's hope the ship gets righted and we see the REAL App State on the field again next week

If you disagree with my observation and opening question that’s fine. But back it up with why you believe otherwise.

Don’t just shit on me as some casual fan that “lays low” because you don’t like my opinion. Care to share why you don’t agree?

[appgrad95&97]

I get the feeling that we have a segment of our fan base that seems to lay in wait until we lose a "big game" so they can trot out this tired observation. When you cherry pick which wins count in the analysis, it's easy to justify whatever "feeling" you have.

Because there is a segment of our fanbase that thinks a team that hasn't beaten a team with a winning record WAS talking New Year's Six. There is a segment of our fanbase that likes to compare us to Bosie St. (a program that won for BCS/NY6 games). Because there is a segment of our fanbase that seems to constantly talks about the need to expand a stadium we can't fill and then blames our conference opponents (because Elon, Wofford, Samford... travel so well). I am so proud to be from Boone. I am so proud to have two degrees from Appalachian State University. I am so proud of having donated over 20k to the Yosef Club over the past twenty-one years. And I am so tired of our delusional fans.

[bigdaddyg]

It’s not like we went to Mexico State or some other crap conference school and got beat. We lost on the road, short week, with key early losses, with bad officiating at very bad times to what looks like a pretty good team. Once ZT went out it was trouble. How much have we practiced since last Saturday? How many reps did the backup QB’s take in those limited practices? I am guessing very little. I was one who, in the second half screamed for a screen, end around or something. But I also realize that you simply can’t open up the playbook with a 2nd, much less third string QB. Even down 17-7 I believed we had a shot but the turnovers and wide open lanes for their backs did us in

[Stonewall]

Comparing resources , we shouldn't be within twenty points of ACC,SEC or Big Ten squads. Understand that UT,Miami,Clemson,PennState et al don't take a sniff at our very best recruits .But here we are and I consider us to be very fortunate. Last night we got our ass kicked . Last December we dismantled a Toledo team some thought were the second best G5 in the nation. We have a program I could only dream of a few years ago.

[hapapp]

All is not lost and we are certainly capable of running the table. However, the talk of "the greatest App team ever" probably needs to be put on hold. Not sure how that determination was made in only half a season. Reality struck home last night. That's not necessarily a bad thing that a young team can learn that may serve them better down the road.

[AppSt94]

Does anyone else get the impression that we always fall flat in big focus games, whether it be nationally televised games or P5 matchups? Outside of our bowl games obviously.

I’m a firm believer that we lost all three of the following games moreso than our opposition won:

Penn State
Tennessee
Wake Forest

Kicking, penalties, bad bounces. We literally manufactured a way to lose all three of these big games. Is that just bad luck or something else?

And what about our ESPN games?

Obviously last night we possibly put on our worst performance ever, for a national audience. But I also thought we looked awful against Ark State. At least until late when we pulled away. Georgia Southern last season, 0-9 when we hosted them on Thursday night. It was 13-6 us going into the fourth quarter before we pulled away. And we looked awful there too.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it. Or does anyone else get this impression?

I bet as a kid, you wanted Santa to get stuck in the chimney so you could fat shame him.

[ah59396]

Does anyone else get the impression that we always fall flat in big focus games, whether it be nationally televised games or P5 matchups? Outside of our bowl games obviously.

I’m a firm believer that we lost all three of the following games moreso than our opposition won:

Penn State
Tennessee
Wake Forest

Kicking, penalties, bad bounces. We literally manufactured a way to lose all three of these big games. Is that just bad luck or something else?

And what about our ESPN games?

Obviously last night we possibly put on our worst performance ever, for a national audience. But I also thought we looked awful against Ark State. At least until late when we pulled away. Georgia Southern last season, 0-9 when we hosted them on Thursday night. It was 13-6 us going into the fourth quarter before we pulled away. And we looked awful there too.

Maybe I’m just overthinking it. Or does anyone else get this impression?

I bet as a kid, you wanted Santa to get stuck in the chimney so you could fat shame him.

What?

[appgrad95&97]

I don't know ah at all, so I'm not speaking for him or her. My point on this thread is if we don't win "big games" we're more like Marshall (no disrespect) than Bosie St.