SI.com: The Case for and Against College Football's 18 Remaining Undefeated Teams

[Overcashed]

Appalachian State
Record: 4–0

Rank: NR

Best win: at North Carolina 34–31, Game 3

How they’re undefeated: RB Darrynton Evans is carving up defenses, averaging seven yards a carry and 117 a game. The Mountaineers got a fourth-quarter pick-six against Coastal Carolina last weekend to survive a scare.

Toughest test left: at South Carolina, Nov. 9

Ranked teams remaining: 0

A case for finishing undefeated: Sure, App State has to travel to an SEC team later this year, but the Sun Belt slate isn’t so treacherous. Remember, this program posted 11–2 seasons in two of the last four seasons.

A case for not finishing undefeated: App State will be an underdog in at least two remaining games, and that starts this weekend with a game at the Ragin' Cajuns. A season-ending trip to Troy could spoil everything.

Full Article Here: https://www.si.com/college-football/201 ... te-alabama

[EastHallApp]

"To survive a scare" is a bit of a stretch, but hey, cool to be on the list.

[Yosefus]

Louisiana will be a tough one. Haven't seen them play but we dont match up well on stats vs their offense. We had a close championship game with them last year. Can't say this one will not be a nail biter for me to watch.

[ASU3432Mi]

We don't play "this weekend".

[appstatealum]

See, these final box scores are skewing perspectives on us. I’ve never felt like any game was in doubt, especially the Coastal game. Carolina was the only game that was a little too close for comfort, but that is just based on their propensity to do some great things in the final seconds of games. Eli played that clock better than anyone could’ve and really forced them to settle on a low percentage play to tie it.

[BeauFoster]

See, these final box scores are skewing perspectives on us. I’ve never felt like any game was in doubt, especially the Coastal game. Carolina was the only game that was a little too close for comfort, but that is just based on their propensity to do some great things in the final seconds of games. Eli played that clock better than anyone could’ve and really forced them to settle on a low percentage play to tie it.

Completely agree that the stats don't tell the whole story, especially in the CCU game. That game, to me, never felt in doubt from even before the delay. It was obvious to anyone watching that their defense had absolutely no chance of stopping our offense with any regularity. I felt very similar about the UNC game, and somewhat slightly less so in the UNCC game.

[Black Saturday]

APP has been a big Vegas favorite last 2 meetings in 2018 vs. Louisiana. Favored by nearly Three TDs first game and a little less that 3 TDs second game. APP won by 10 points first game and 11 points second game. 27-17 and 30-19.
Not sure APP will be favored in 2019. Guessing we are going to probably need high 30s+ to win this time around?

Good thing we know we can score a lot of points if we need. Don't wont to get behind and have them take the air out of the ball.

Hopefully our D will continue to be opportunistic and special teams continue to shine.

[Rick83]

I feel like we have so many offensive weapons that UL won't be able to shut them all down. It might take Drink a quarter or two to feel out what their defense is going to give us, but barring significant injuries I don't see them stopping our offense. Our special teams has shown they can score and be disruptive on coverages, the only major mistake I can remember on special teams was the opening 75 yard kickoff return by Carolina that set up their first touchdown.
With UL's backs and their OL I think they will move the ball and we're going to have to get some stops obviously, but like i've posted elsewhere, I think we win a shootout.

[AppSt94]

See, these final box scores are skewing perspectives on us. I’ve never felt like any game was in doubt, especially the Coastal game. Carolina was the only game that was a little too close for comfort, but that is just based on their propensity to do some great things in the final seconds of games. Eli played that clock better than anyone could’ve and really forced them to settle on a low percentage play to tie it.

Agree. The one thing that stands out the most to me is his clock management. He is always looking for a way to get the ball back to his offense.

[NavyApp]

See, these final box scores are skewing perspectives on us. I’ve never felt like any game was in doubt, especially the Coastal game. Carolina was the only game that was a little too close for comfort, but that is just based on their propensity to do some great things in the final seconds of games. Eli played that clock better than anyone could’ve and really forced them to settle on a low percentage play to tie it.

Agree. The one thing that stands out the most to me is his clock management. He is always looking for a way to get the ball back to his offense.

And he knows when to drain the clock. That 39 yd drive at the end of the game that took over 6 minutes off the clock and put points up was the back breaker in the game. It was a thing of beauty and shows an advanced awareness for the game.

[NavyApp]

See, these final box scores are skewing perspectives on us. I’ve never felt like any game was in doubt, especially the Coastal game. Carolina was the only game that was a little too close for comfort, but that is just based on their propensity to do some great things in the final seconds of games. Eli played that clock better than anyone could’ve and really forced them to settle on a low percentage play to tie it.

Agree. The one thing that stands out the most to me is his clock management. He is always looking for a way to get the ball back to his offense.

And he knows when to drain the clock. That 39 yd drive at the end of the game that took over 6 minutes off the clock and put points up was the back breaker in the game. It was a thing of beauty and shows an advanced awareness for the game.

[gsoappfan]

I also like Drink's focus on the last 4 minutes of the second and first four minutes of the third. That has made the difference in several games this year already and I think it allows him to dictate the fourth quarter.

[EastHallApp]

I too think Drink does a good job at clock management... but it's also funny how much better the coach's clock management looks when the kicker makes all his FGs and extra points.

[fjblair]

Appalachian State
Record: 4–0

Rank: NR

Best win: at North Carolina 34–31, Game 3

How they’re undefeated: RB Darrynton Evans is carving up defenses, averaging seven yards a carry and 117 a game. The Mountaineers got a fourth-quarter pick-six against Coastal Carolina last weekend to survive a scare.

Toughest test left: at South Carolina, Nov. 9

Ranked teams remaining: 0

A case for finishing undefeated: Sure, App State has to travel to an SEC team later this year, but the Sun Belt slate isn’t so treacherous. Remember, this program posted 11–2 seasons in two of the last four seasons.

A case for not finishing undefeated: App State will be an underdog in at least two remaining games, and that starts this weekend with a game at the Ragin' Cajuns. A season-ending trip to Troy could spoil everything.

Full Article Here: https://www.si.com/college-football/201 ... te-alabama

Louisiana is the favorite?

[bigdaddyg]

I too think Drink does a good job at clock management... but it's also funny how much better the coach's clock management looks when the kicker makes all his FGs and extra points.

same kicker as now...UT and Wake...win?

[Rick83]

I too think Drink does a good job at clock management... but it's also funny how much better the coach's clock management looks when the kicker makes all his FGs and extra points.

same kicker as now...UT and Wake...win?

definitely.

[yosef69]

I too think Drink does a good job at clock management... but it's also funny how much better the coach's clock management looks when the kicker makes all his FGs and extra points.

same kicker as now...UT and Wake...win?

If T Lamb gets out of bounds vs UT we win