IT'S THE WAKE FOREST GAME ---

[MtnDevil95]

I think this App State team can beat this Wake team, but I think this App State has the possibility of beating anybody on any given Saturday. I don't disagree with the Vegas odds at Wake and -3.5 . . . this Wake team is tough. Sure 2 of their 3 games have been SSU level competition, and Boston College may be the worst team in the ACC, but Wake is much improved over the last 2 seasons. App is going to have to play better than they did in Texas and better than they did in Georgia if there will be a shot at beating the Deacs on Saturday. I don't think that's a long shot really, there are some obvious places to improve that are coachable in 1 week of preparation.

Wolford has 500 yards passing and 192 yards rushing on the season. Albeit against defenses that are very likely not nearly as good as App State's, but still that's a QB that can put points on the board (30+ in all 3 games) and move the ball consistently. Wolford is mobile, he has 56 passing attempts and 34 carries . . .the App front 7 will need to contain him. Wake's top RB is a freshman who has 199 yards on 29 carries and 1 TD. Wake has run the ball 156 times and only attempted 73 passes, so this could be a strength on strength game . . . again.

On the offensive side of the ball, App's O-line will have to see improvement. As good as Hannigan has been thus far, and as good as the halftime adjustments were against Texas State, the running game is going to have to improve and that is dependent on getting a push up front and opening at least a crease.

I'm looking forward to coming to Boone for the game, and will yell myself hoarse for the Black and Gold. Win or lose, a conference title and 3rd bowl win in a row are still in the sights.

[SpeedkingATL]

Hopefully App's offense found itself in the second half against TSU. Lamb went downfield in the passing game and it opened things up. It would help to get our two veteran WR's on the field but the kid WR's are learning. I expect App's defense to play tough against Wake but they can't get left on the field all day. They spent the entire first half on the field against TSU.

Go Apps!

[EastHallApp]

We lost one of the best running backs we've had in a long time, certainly the most productive yardage wise. Our O-line hasn't been as dominant and Moore is a great back but not as good in traffic as Cox was. Yes this is a big game and we have got to start winning some of these games.

However, I assure you Appalachian State will field a team next season regardless of the outcome. It will take a herculean effort and some good luck to win this game.

I disagree that this defines our program win or lose. It was nice to win those games that did help define our program when we beat Wake, and it would be helpful to start knocking P5 teams off every once in a while to take the next step in our FBS evolution. Losing to Wake hurts perception, until we beat somebody next year or the year after. It would suck and may make trash talking other fans a little harder, but it only matters what you have done lately.

If we roll up a couple scalps in the next few years, nobody will continue to hold a loss to WF against us. We need to win, but it's not do or die. It only helps to win and win out this year, and I have some serious concerns about us doing that.

Problem is the only "scalp" we have on next year's schedule is Penn State, and I think even the most optimistic homers would grant that's a long shot. So most likely it's either beat Wake or wait until at least 2019 to earn any respect outside the Sun Belt.

[WVAPPeer]

As for offensive strategy my guess would be more of the same - if Meadors, Evans and Adams are back then there will be some tweaks but we have seen Coach Satterfield for the last several years and we know what is coming - He is a conservative play-caller who relies on the running game, moving the clock and playing good defense - I don't foresee any marginal shift for this one game - Someone told me that he was "tired of seeing off-tackle runs" and I replied - "Don't watch any more APP games then because if you do you will see about 500 more"

[Seattleapp]

As for offensive strategy my guess would be more of the same - if Meadors, Evans and Adams are back then there will be some tweaks but we have seen Coach Satterfield for the last several years and we know what is coming - He is a conservative play-caller who relies on the running game, moving the clock and playing good defense - I don't foresee any marginal shift for this one game - Someone told me that he was "tired of seeing off-tackle runs" and I replied - "Don't watch any more APP games then because if you do you will see about 500 more"

Do you think App can beat Wake playing that conservatively?

[asucrazy]

As with the Miami QB last year that burned us on numerous series , if the Wake QB has time to sit back and pick and choose his targets it will be a long day for the Apps. Wolford is a senior with ACC experience who can beat you with his arm and scramble when flushed from the pocket. I think Coach Woody will have good game plan, we just have to execute it.

[WVAPPeer]

Yes, just like we should have beaten Tenn - but we must get 1st downs and keep the ball - no killer turnovers and solid defense --- WF is a solid team but they aren't in the category of Tenn, Miami or UGA ---

[AppSt94]

As for offensive strategy my guess would be more of the same - if Meadors, Evans and Adams are back then there will be some tweaks but we have seen Coach Satterfield for the last several years and we know what is coming - He is a conservative play-caller who relies on the running game, moving the clock and playing good defense - I don't foresee any marginal shift for this one game - Someone told me that he was "tired of seeing off-tackle runs" and I replied - "Don't watch any more APP games then because if you do you will see about 500 more"

The abscense of Adams, Meadors, and Evans, and the fact that their replacements are Freshmen are probably the reason for the vanilla play calling. They probably don't know but half of the playbook which limits the play calling.

[MDaniels84]

Here is some interesting reading over on the Wake board... No predictions from me until Big C says its time but these Wake folks are predicting between a 11 point and 28 point victory. I say that App hits their stride this week and finishes on Saturday.

http://scout.com/college/wake-forest/Bo ... -107604040

[CornCobPipes]

We can not blast Satts conservative schemes.....part of coaching is realizing what scheme best fits your personnel.....with three games under belt it hurts that we have not had 3 key offensive weapons in Meadors, Evans and Adams with any snaps......Evans is a dual threat in that he can carry the ball as well giving added dimensions.......OL is going to have to step up and Taylor has got to get his feet ready for a quicker release.....To me I thought his throwing mechanics and release time were much improved vs UGA it's just their defense was such a beast....UGA defense at this point is very underated......I am missing Cox big time in his ability to find the crease even when only one to find.....he was uncanny.....I just hope our coaching is able to make solid halftime adjustments.....to a degree they did a good job of that vs TSU......We have got to have some possession time on offense to avoid gassing the D again........so against the odds here is to beating the demon out of the Deacs!

[JTApps1]

I think we will be ok vs wake. Yea they are good and it will be a tough game. I think we will play hard and win a close one. I hope the coaches prep for the fast tempo and quick plays that killed us vs Miami. Though I am not sold that wake has the talent to do the quick game Miami did last year.

At least we know what's coming with Wake this year unlike a Miami team that hadnt really shown much of that prior to playing us. Also, thanks to Miami being so successful with it plenty of other teams tested us with up tempo, and by the end of last year we were defending it better.

I don't believe their QB is overly mobile so hopefully we won't have the same issues with that like this week.

False. Wolford has almost 200 yards on the ground through three games. He's clearly the best QB we will face all year.

Fromm and Willaims are better QB's than this kid. He had a career completion percentage of 55% coming into the year, and has played 3 bad to terrible defenses so far. Let's see what happens Saturday.

[biggie]

Anyone with any info on injuries?

Both the ones that haven't played a game yet and the ones from this past weekend's game.

[Rekdiver]

The Wake QB has had his "Ah Ha" moment. he can play and he has speed around him at receiver and RB.
Not to do the comparison game but WF beat BC who beat Northern Illinois who beat Nebraska......

[moonshine]

Fromm and Willaims are better QB's than this kid. He had a career completion percentage of 55% coming into the year, and has played 3 bad to terrible defenses so far. Let's see what happens Saturday.

Current Total Defensive Rank through 3 weeks for Deacon opponents:
Presbyterian - #112 (FCS rank)
BC - #95 (FBS)
USU - #107

Black Saturday Matchup:
App - #25 (Defense) #81 (Offense)

Wake - #21 (Defense) #42 (Offense)

[appbio91]

Looking forward to the game but I am not sure this offense can score enough points against a good team. If we wait until halftime to adjust it might be too late. Agree fans will play a big part. Let's hope for a cool mountain day for the defense sake. Hoping my gut feeling about this game is very wrong.

[appstate77]

Any know why Wake Forest students have TGIF on their sneakers? Because it stands for Toes Go In First.

[NewApp]

We can not blast Satts conservative schemes.....part of coaching is realizing what scheme best fits your personnel.....with three games under belt it hurts that we have not had 3 key offensive weapons in Meadors, Evans and Adams with any snaps......Evans is a dual threat in that he can carry the ball as well giving added dimensions.......OL is going to have to step up and Taylor has got to get his feet ready for a quicker release.....To me I thought his throwing mechanics and release time were much improved vs UGA it's just their defense was such a beast....UGA defense at this point is very underated......I am missing Cox big time in his ability to find the crease even when only one to find.....he was uncanny.....I just hope our coaching is able to make solid halftime adjustments.....to a degree they did a good job of that vs TSU......We have got to have some possession time on offense to avoid gassing the D again........so against the odds here is to beating the demon out of the Deacs!

Moore has to produce for us to win.

[MarxistMountaineer]

I think we will be ok vs wake. Yea they are good and it will be a tough game. I think we will play hard and win a close one. I hope the coaches prep for the fast tempo and quick plays that killed us vs Miami. Though I am not sold that wake has the talent to do the quick game Miami did last year.

At least we know what's coming with Wake this year unlike a Miami team that hadnt really shown much of that prior to playing us. Also, thanks to Miami being so successful with it plenty of other teams tested us with up tempo, and by the end of last year we were defending it better.

I don't believe their QB is overly mobile so hopefully we won't have the same issues with that like this week.

False. Wolford has almost 200 yards on the ground through three games. He's clearly the best QB we will face all year.

Fromm and Willaims are better QB's than this kid. He had a career completion percentage of 55% coming into the year, and has played 3 bad to terrible defenses so far. Let's see what happens Saturday.

You are crazy if you think the Tx St QB is better than Wolford. I'm sure Fromm will be better at some point if not by the end of this year, but I truly think Wolford would be starting for UGA right now over Fromm.

[AppSt94]

I think we will be ok vs wake. Yea they are good and it will be a tough game. I think we will play hard and win a close one. I hope the coaches prep for the fast tempo and quick plays that killed us vs Miami. Though I am not sold that wake has the talent to do the quick game Miami did last year.

At least we know what's coming with Wake this year unlike a Miami team that hadnt really shown much of that prior to playing us. Also, thanks to Miami being so successful with it plenty of other teams tested us with up tempo, and by the end of last year we were defending it better.

I don't believe their QB is overly mobile so hopefully we won't have the same issues with that like this week.

False. Wolford has almost 200 yards on the ground through three games. He's clearly the best QB we will face all year.

Fromm and Willaims are better QB's than this kid. He had a career completion percentage of 55% coming into the year, and has played 3 bad to terrible defenses so far. Let's see what happens Saturday.

You are crazy if you think the Tx St QB is better than Wolford. I'm sure Fromm will be better at some point if not by the end of this year, but I truly think Wolford would be starting for UGA right now over Fromm.

I think the point being made is that the kid is a career 55% passer. Based on competition thus far this season, it is difficult to gauge whether he has turned a corner or if 55% is his ceiling and that he will regress to the mean as competition stiffens.

[dp42828]

Wolford is average at best. He hasn't played a good defense yet.

I think his WRs are MUCH better at getting separation than he is an amazing QB.

He's honestly a lot like Lamb, he's not going to kill you like AE would, but he can beat you with his feet and get the ball to playmakers.

This is the best WF team since they won the ACC in 2006.

When we don't play Wake, I cheer for them.

With that said, I hope we beat them 56-7.

We need this win to keep riding the momentum we've created since moving up. No moral victories.

#beatweakforest