App picked as 28 pt dog to Clemson

[AtlAppMan]

I don't think anyone on this board has "predicted" or "expects" us to beat Clemson. I have merely stated that it is very possible and I was taken aback by the point spread and the cavalier attitude towards the 2015 App team by so many Clemson analyst. No doubt, on paper Clemson is clearly the favored team. However, that doesn't mean that this game doesn't present an "opportunity" for App to pull off an upset. As has been discussed throughout this thread as well as the underdogdynasty article, there a numerous factors converging on Sept 12 that favor App pulling off another big one.

But we are on the way to gain national respect and we have to win some of these big moments to achieve that goal. I believe all of us look at Boise St as the G5 reference of what is possible. They got there by winning some of these big games. That is what we have to do, not come close, but win. We have to play big to win this game, absolutely, but Clemson may be in a place, early in the season where we may have some advantages and less disadvantages than, maybe later in the season or in another year, so we need to take advantage of the moment. This is a statement game for us.

[MDaniels84]

Also remember that Georgia Southern carries the same schollys as us and joined the belt the same time as us and just last season gave GaTech and NC State all they could handle and then some. App can hang with Clemson regardless of someones list of potential NFL players on the roster. That is what makes this game fun. It definitely is NOT played on paper. App will stay within 10 points or so and could just pull it out if things go our way.

[hapapp]

There is certainly room for some optimism going into the Clemson game but our track record lately in these games is not stellar. While I think it possible we could stay within 2 TDs is just as likely we lose by 4 TDs. I think as fans we do ourselves a favor if we don't have undue expectations. Let's play a down before we assert the destiny of this team.

[T-Dog]

You can take your tempered reality, I'll take fanatic optimism. I let myself get talked out of thinking we were going to beat Michigan in the month before. Never again.

[AtlAppMan]

While I think it possible we could stay within 2 TDs is just as likely we lose by 4 TDs. I think as fans we do ourselves a favor if we don't have undue expectations. Let's play a down before we assert the destiny of this team.

Then let me apologize in advance for having high expectations. I will be highly disappointed if we lose by 4 TD's and will believe we under performed to our capabilities.

[sixtoes9134]

I think we can successfully defend their running game. I'm a little concerned about the secondary as they could easily get over the top of us in their passing game.

Gonna have to be disruptive and force some 3 and outs early cause if they run out to a 21 point lead early that won't be good.

I think we will be able to score points on their D.

[hapapp]

We've proven we can pull the monumental upset and it is certainly not outside the realm of reality that we could knock off Clemson.

To each his own. I just think, as a fan, I want to guard against undue expectations at this point before a down has been played. I've said for years that 2015 should be the year we show what we can do at the FBS level. But, I don't want to see us get ahead ourselves.

I, too, would be disappointed in 28 point loss and it is not what I expect. However, I'm anxious to see how we start the season. We haven't exactly come out of the gate on fire the last two years. There is every reason to believe that is in our past but for me, at least, seeing is believing.

[sixtoes9134]

I'm eager to see how the ankle biters do.

[Goapps15]

I personally hope they beat Wofford by 50. If they play a reasonably close game vs Wofford it is a bad omen for us. Four things are needed for a shot at an upset.

1. App needs Watson to be less than 100%. They need to blitz a LB at him all day like they did with Knighten at A State last year.

2. A defensive or special teams score.

3. Keep the game in the 20s.

4. Run the ball 40+ times for an average of 4 yards a carry.

[Saint3333]

I'm not saying it is impossible to win, but I don't see us holding them under 30 points.

[moehler]

not alot of teams are going to hold Clemson under 30 this year, that includes Florida State, we just have to run the ball well enough to eat up some of the clock. If we get into alot of 3 and outs this game will get out of hand real quick. Fortunately, we have a very good offense, going against a very young and inexperienced defense, we should be able to move the ball well enough to atleast keep the final score respectable.

[WVAppsfan]

I think the Sunbelt teams will scare some Power Five teams this fall. I know WVU will have a handful with the odd offensive set of Georgia Southern and App State will not back down from Clemson.

I am not going to go Broadway Joe and predict a victory however I think App will keep it close.

The key is depth and no injuries and playing sound fundamentals and creating mistakes for Clemson and not for ourselves.

We will know a lot about this team after the game, and one key item is not talked about..... The strength coach, Coach Mike comes to us from South Carolina..... the heated rival of Clemson.

I am sure that he will be fired up and fired the troops up as well. I asked the team about his intensity during the Fan Jam and they told me he was as intense as the video shows he is. And we have one heck of a training program going right now.

In the 4th quarter it will be close..... and a Special Teams play will make the difference ....

More to come....

[Rekdiver]

Listen the only thing we've proven is that our team 8 years ago could upset a big team...We've done nothing since. That is not even a factor in this contest. With some breaks we can beat Clemson but depth is still an issue for us for a couple of years. Quite frankly I will measure our progress when we play Wyoming after the beatdown they gave us a few years ago.

[EastHallApp]

Personally I always take the pragmatic/cautious approach too. If we're going to lose 9 times out of 10 in these money games, I'd rather be pleasantly surprised once than caught off guard nine times by something I should have expected. Plus I just enjoy rational discussion more than the rah-rah stuff. And as much as I enjoy saying I told you so, it doesn't really mean much if I also "told you so" all those times we lost by 40.

But as hapapp said, to each his own. Whatever helps you enjoy the game most. I'd love to get to the point where we can legitimately compete on relatively even terms with teams like Clemson - not just hope for the occasional mega-upset - I just don't think we're there yet. But like the rest of you, I'll be anxiously watching on 9/12.

[Longrifle28]

Do I expect us to win? No

Do I expect us to roll over and collect a check? No

I hope we show up prepared to play. That we can plan for a game and execute the plan. I hope we give Clemson all they want and at the end of the day they have an acute migraine...

[SpeedkingATL]

Get to Clemson and make some noise!

[MtnDevil95]

I will begin by saying that in general pre-season football polls are crap for predicting game outcomes. There is not a good one out there for providing actual insight into predictive performances. They are good for one thing only, and that's generating good conversation among the fan base.

Clemson is over ranked generally this year, in my humble opinion. They're offense is highly charged and will stack some serious points on the board, hopefully against Wofford, but their defense is a big question mark. We’re not talking about a Bud Foster defense with questionable or untested talent either, Clemson’s defensive acumen has not been among the league’s best in the last few years, so add injuries and untested talent and you get a big gamble.

All that is to say that, from the cheap seats, I would not be surprised if we keep the game within 2-3 touchdowns and both teams rack 30+ points. I could see us scaring the crap out of Clemson until late in the 3rd and through the 4th when fatigue catches up and their depth of talent runs away with it. Our best chance resides in our ability to stay close as long as possible prevent Dabo from platooning in his 2nd and 3rd strings keeping his playmakers fresher than ours.

I also think that 2 external keys to that will be Clemson blowing out Wofford and coming into the game with an over inflated sense of dominance, and our ability to defeat Howard without too much drama so we go into Death Valley with a decent amount of confidence.

[APPdiesel]

...Clemson’s defensive acumen has not been among the league’s best in the last few years...

Did you not watch college football last year? They had the number 1 defense in all of college football. ( http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22 )

They were decimated by the draft and a few injuries this preseason, so I am in no way suggesting they'll have the same result this season...just saying. Credit where credit is due.

[AppState2014]

I don't think anyone on this board has "predicted" or "expects" us to beat Clemson. I have merely stated that it is very possible and I was taken aback by the point spread and the cavalier attitude towards the 2015 App team by so many Clemson analyst. No doubt, on paper Clemson is clearly the favored team. However, that doesn't mean that this game doesn't present an "opportunity" for App to pull off an upset. As has been discussed throughout this thread as well as the underdogdynasty article, there a numerous factors converging on Sept 12 that favor App pulling off another big one.

But we are on the way to gain national respect and we have to win some of these big moments to achieve that goal. I believe all of us look at Boise St as the G5 reference of what is possible. They got there by winning some of these big games. That is what we have to do, not come close, but win. We have to play big to win this game, absolutely, but Clemson may be in a place, early in the season where we may have some advantages and less disadvantages than, maybe later in the season or in another year, so we need to take advantage of the moment. This is a statement game for us.

Anything can happen. We all know that. My whole point is they have backups who we begged to get out of HS and they went there. Their bottom tier recruits were our top tier targets. I think we are well on our way to being good. I think for us to pull off an upset we need them to overlook us, lose their QB, and for us to stay completely healthy. I also think we need some luck as well. We already have 1 CB out for the year. We should not even be talking about the opportunity yet. We could lose 3 or 4 key players between now and gameday that make this a lopsided loss. There are a lot of "ifs" we need to go right.

My goal and focus is on us playing the best we can, making sure we get some respect, and focusing on going 11-1 this year. I think the worst we should do is 9-3 but I really believe we can go 10-2 or 11-1. I remember losing to Wofford and GSU after the Michigan win and I would hate to lose two games like that this year because of injury and maybe some arrogance after a big upset. I just want to play within 20 points of Clemson and I'll be happy. I want to go undefeated in the SBC this year and that is the most important thing for us right now. After seeing where the coaches picked us I want us to plow through the SBC undefeated even more than normal.

[JTApps1]

Personally I always take the pragmatic/cautious approach too. If we're going to lose 9 times out of 10 in these money games, I'd rather be pleasantly surprised once than caught off guard nine times by something I should have expected. Plus I just enjoy rational discussion more than the rah-rah stuff. And as much as I enjoy saying I told you so, it doesn't really mean much if I also "told you so" all those times we lost by 40.

But as hapapp said, to each his own. Whatever helps you enjoy the game most. I'd love to get to the point where we can legitimately compete on relatively even terms with teams like Clemson - not just hope for the occasional mega-upset - I just don't think we're there yet. But like the rest of you, I'll be anxiously watching on 9/12.

I don't think it is rah-rah to point out that Clemson has a lot of holes to fill and those are getting worse by the day. We will certainly be the underdog (rightfully so), but they seem to be overrated this year based off of their great D from last year and explosive QB. That D has only 3 starters and I believe 5 second string players returning, their QB is still a question health wise. Not to mention they lost 4 starting OL, and had a very average run game last year.

That doesn't mean we will win nor would I predict a win, but it does give me hope to play them close. Someone pointed out that our Michigan win means nothing in this game which is true, but that is also true of our performance against VT and Michigan last year mean nothing as well.