.....Howard is the first game, not Clemson.

I know the interest and anticipation for that game is great but let's not forget what we did to Michigan in '07. We don't want to become Howard's Michigan. Jus' sayin'............

Well none of us are playing sooooo....

Howard did give Rutgers of the B1G a good scare last year. And we lost the last time we played a MEAC team. Plus its the season opener at home with a 3:30 kickoff. Zero it should be overlooked.

But as fans, we have the luxury of looking forward to both games.

I think against Hiward. The offense will look basic and maybe struggle some, but the defense will look great. I'm really interested in special teams play though.

One at a time. One at a time. The next game is the most important. No other.

Does anyone think for one second that our team will not do some game planning and prep work for BOTH Howard and Clemson between now and Sept. 5? Yes, Howard is our next game and that is the time that everyone on our team need to step up and show that they can rise to the occassion for any opponent. I also want to see EVERY player bring the heat. As I said in another thread, I want to see every player flying around like a bunch of rabid dogs in our first game. But, attention and preparation for Clemson must occur prior to our first game or else we will be ill prepared on Sept. 12.

scatman77 wrote:.....Howard is the first game, not Clemson.

I know the interest and anticipation for that game is great but let's not forget what we did to Michigan in '07. We don't want to become Howard's Michigan. Jus' sayin'............

After all the hard work our boys have put in for 5 months straight I'm not worried about them overlooking Howard. I think this bunch is just ready to go play and hit someone right now.

Said it in the Clemson thread, I'll say it again here - yes, I am looking past Howard. To state the obvious, I have that luxury because I'm not on the team. But also, I am fully confident that we are going to roll them. And I was one of the people last year who said after week 1 that losing to Liberty was a distinct possibility.

If App comes out flat and makes a few mistakes, maybe we only win by 17 or so. I'd be stunned if it's much closer than that. If this one's within a TD in the 4th quarter, feel free to come back and tell me I was wrong. But don't say it's because people on this board overlooked them, because that's just silly.

And BTW, while I'm not anticipating a close game, I am very much looking forward to Howard since I'll be making the trip from Raleigh. Any gameday at the Rock is a day to circle on the calendar.

Let's take a look at the Bison's 2014 Individual Offensive Stats

Passing Yards:
McGhee 2388
Cunningham 4

Rushing Yards:
McGhee 847
Parker 673
Freeman 421
Tusan 331

Receiving Yards:
Colvin 611
Aiyegoro 395
Freeman 272
Mercer 263
Parker 241

And here is what they have returning in 2015:

Passing Yards:
Cunningham 4

Rushing Yards:
Parker 673
Tusan 331

Receiving Yards:
Colvin 611
Mercer 263
Parker 241

Don't feel like digging for O-Line starts and Defensive Stats, but you get the picture. They lose a LOT of offense. Yes, they gave Rutgers a decent game, but they lost to Akron 41-0.


Meanwhile, we have the most returning starters in the nation (20). This is not Liberty, and we are not the same team that played Liberty. 52-13 Apps.

By the way, opening line on this game was App -31 (now moved to App -32)

I read that Howard is picked in the lower half of the MEC, they lost their all conference qb, and their best running back, I hear what your saying, we need to come out and take care of business, and put this team away by mid second quarter, so we can get playing time for our second and third teams in the second half. I think it especially important that we get our second and third team qbs some reps, we need to find out who we can count on if Lamb cant play. After what has happen in the last 2 seasons with the horrible starts, there isn't any excuse for us to come out flat or to struggle with this team, if that happens SS and the coaching staff will have to answer alot of questions.

I wouldn't be surprised if we ran a slightly limited offense vs Howard so as to a) ease ourselves into the season - not get anyone hurt, and b) not give Clemson too much film to scheme on.

Howard finished 5-7 last year in a pretty weak conference. Howard isn't the ASU that beat Michigan. We will be fine and will win by 60pts.

Robert: If you'll spot me 60 points, I'll take that bet.

... just whistlin' past the grave ...

I bet I will be having fun in the tailgate lot before the Howard game other than that I will take a win by 1 or 60 or anything in between!

Most of our guys remember Homecoming '14. I doubt they take anything for granted.