App picked as 28 pt dog to Clemson

[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.

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.

Agree with all of that. I was referring more to blind optimism - the "I expect App to win every game" viewpoint.

[AtlAppMan]

Another Clemson player suspended for App game.

http://rubbingtherock.com/2015/08/20/cl ... on-update/

[moehler]

gets caught dwi and cocaine in his car, yet he only gets suspended 3 games, wow, Dabo is really running a tight ship down there.

[sixtoes9134]

They should rub Howard's Knob instead of Howard's rock.

[The Rock]

gets caught dwi and cocaine in his car, yet he only gets suspended 3 games, wow, Dabo is really running a tight ship down there.

But at least they are not using social media....
http://www.si.com/college-football/2015 ... -media-ban

[MtnMan09]

Its hard not to jump head first into the pool of optimism that comes with being a fan of the Apps. Its like being a Cubs fan with less heartbreak. I keep finding myself saying we could do this. "Pulling a Clemson" is a thing for a reason. However, the gross reality is that I tell myself this every year on the eve of the "big money" game and I am always proven wrong. The results vary from year to year. There was the 2005 LSU game which was much more competitive than its final score indicated.There is the 2009 ECU game where Tavaris Cadet came in and almost put the Pirates away for us even with Armanti on the sideline. There is the Georgia game from 2013, where despite being dismal at the QB position, we managed to hang tough with them through 3 quarters. But for every game like those, we get a game like Virginia Tech from 2011 where we got spanked all over the field. Same with Michigan last year. We made Funchess look like the second coming of Calvin Johnson. The cold facts are brutal: other than Michigan in 2007, we haven't won against the P5s in recent history.

I hope we win, and would feel a win would also include only losing by 14, however I can't get my brain around all this talk that we are "likely" to win. We haven't done anything yet to prove we are capable of that. With that said, I'm still riding high from last year's stretch run and I hope the crystal ball prophecies from many of these posters are proven true.

[JTApps1]

Its hard not to jump head first into the pool of optimism that comes with being a fan of the Apps. Its like being a Cubs fan with less heartbreak. I keep finding myself saying we could do this. "Pulling a Clemson" is a thing for a reason. However, the gross reality is that I tell myself this every year on the eve of the "big money" game and I am always proven wrong. The results vary from year to year. There was the 2005 LSU game which was much more competitive than its final score indicated.There is the 2009 ECU game where Tavaris Cadet came in and almost put the Pirates away for us even with Armanti on the sideline. There is the Georgia game from 2013, where despite being dismal at the QB position, we managed to hang tough with them through 3 quarters. But for every game like those, we get a game like Virginia Tech from 2011 where we got spanked all over the field. Same with Michigan last year. We made Funchess look like the second coming of Calvin Johnson. The cold facts are brutal: other than Michigan in 2007, we haven't won against the P5s in recent history.

I hope we win, and would feel a win would also include only losing by 14, however I can't get my brain around all this talk that we are "likely" to win. We haven't done anything yet to prove we are capable of that. With that said, I'm still riding high from last year's stretch run and I hope the crystal ball prophecies from many of these posters are proven true.

Where did anyone say we are likely to win? A lot of us think we can play them well and possibly win if everything goes right, but that is much different than saying we are likely to win.

[AtlAppMan]

MtnMan09, also ALL of those games in the past, barring Michigan last year, we were FCS and at various levels of capability. Since 2010 until last year we were not that good of a FCS team. I think one has to separate the "then" from the "now". We are better equipped to compete in the Clemson game this year than all of those years in the past as FCS.

[MtnMan09]

MtnMan09, also ALL of those games in the past, barring Michigan last year, we were FCS and at various levels of capability. Since 2010 until last year we were not that good of a FCS team. I think one has to separate the "then" from the "now". We are better equipped to compete in the Clemson game this year than all of those years in the past as FCS.

I agree with that. I understand the difference in both the number and quality of players that we have on this team compared to our FCS rosters. I'm just hoping that we do compete at a high level in the Clemson game. To keep moving this train forward we have to start showing out in big time games like this one. That's what I meant in my earlier post when I said I would count a close loss as a win. Look at how playing tough in those losses to State and Ga. Tech helped shape the Stink's image as a G5 force in just one year at the FBS level.

[moehler]

our hearts are hoping for that lighning in a bottle game against Clemson, but our heads tell us that even with all the problems they have had this offseason, a nice, competitive, respectable game is all we are asking for. That is one thing I love about our fan base, unlike GS, our fans are pretty realistic, and down to earth when it comes to our teams, and predicting their future success

[APPdiesel]

MtnMan09, also ALL of those games in the past, barring Michigan last year, we were FCS and at various levels of capability. Since 2010 until last year we were not that good of a FCS team. I think one has to separate the "then" from the "now". We are better equipped to compete in the Clemson game this year than all of those years in the past as FCS.

I agree with that. I understand the difference in both the number and quality of players that we have on this team compared to our FCS rosters. I'm just hoping that we do compete at a high level in the Clemson game. To keep moving this train forward we have to start showing out in big time games like this one. That's what I meant in my earlier post when I said I would count a close loss as a win. Look at how playing tough in those losses to State and Ga. Tech helped shape the Stink's image as a G5 force in just one year at the FBS level.

We're in a "prove it" situation. Had we been even marginally competitive against Michigan last year when national attention was on us we would garner more respect now. We can't start beating our chests again until we put up 9 and 10 win seasons. Go 'Neers!

[AppState89]

MtnMan09, also ALL of those games in the past, barring Michigan last year, we were FCS and at various levels of capability. Since 2010 until last year we were not that good of a FCS team. I think one has to separate the "then" from the "now". We are better equipped to compete in the Clemson game this year than all of those years in the past as FCS.

I agree with that. I understand the difference in both the number and quality of players that we have on this team compared to our FCS rosters. I'm just hoping that we do compete at a high level in the Clemson game. To keep moving this train forward we have to start showing out in big time games like this one. That's what I meant in my earlier post when I said I would count a close loss as a win. Look at how playing tough in those losses to State and Ga. Tech helped shape the Stink's image as a G5 force in just one year at the FBS level.

We're in a "prove it" situation. Had we been even marginally competitive against Michigan last year when national attention was on us we would garner more respect now. We can't start beating our chests again until we put up 9 and 10 win seasons. Go 'Neers!

We were marginally competitive against Michigan last year until the last 2.30 minutes of the first half. That blocked punt killed our team. I believe if that never happened, it would have been a lot closer game.

[MtnMan09]

MtnMan09, also ALL of those games in the past, barring Michigan last year, we were FCS and at various levels of capability. Since 2010 until last year we were not that good of a FCS team. I think one has to separate the "then" from the "now". We are better equipped to compete in the Clemson game this year than all of those years in the past as FCS.

I agree with that. I understand the difference in both the number and quality of players that we have on this team compared to our FCS rosters. I'm just hoping that we do compete at a high level in the Clemson game. To keep moving this train forward we have to start showing out in big time games like this one. That's what I meant in my earlier post when I said I would count a close loss as a win. Look at how playing tough in those losses to State and Ga. Tech helped shape the Stink's image as a G5 force in just one year at the FBS level.

We're in a "prove it" situation. Had we been even marginally competitive against Michigan last year when national attention was on us we would garner more respect now. We can't start beating our chests again until we put up 9 and 10 win seasons. Go 'Neers!

We were marginally competitive against Michigan last year until the last 2.30 minutes of the first half. That blocked punt killed our team. I believe if that never happened, it would have been a lot closer game.

Maybe. But teams that compete at this level can't let one play lead to a 38 point defeat. This Clemson team is muchhhh better than that Michigan team. We have to come ready to play every down to stay in it and be respectable. My original point and the previous poster's statement are true. We are in "prove it" mode. We need to start giving these teams a run for their money all the way up to the final whistle.

[AtlAppMan]

Coming close will not get it done. See ULM losing 16-21 against Texas A&M last year. That didn't get them any credibility. We have to win convincingly against our peers, G5, AND we have to win some of these big games. Consistency and demonstrating the ability to rise to the occasion in big games is the only way to get respect.

[EastHallApp]

Coming close will not get it done. See ULM losing 16-21 against Texas A&M last year. That didn't get them any credibility. We have to win convincingly against our peers, G5, AND we have to win some of these big games. Consistency and demonstrating the ability to rise to the occasion in big games is the only way to get respect.

If we're talking about gaining national relevance, I agree. However, that's a steep hill for a 2nd-year FBS program. My guess is that establishing ourselves as a premier G5 program will come first. Winning 9-10 games a year (or more) and being reasonably competitive against someone like Clemson would do that for us.

If we are able to skip a couple steps on the ladder, great. But if not, I'm ready to enjoy the climb.

[AppState89]

MtnMan09, also ALL of those games in the past, barring Michigan last year, we were FCS and at various levels of capability. Since 2010 until last year we were not that good of a FCS team. I think one has to separate the "then" from the "now". We are better equipped to compete in the Clemson game this year than all of those years in the past as FCS.

I agree with that. I understand the difference in both the number and quality of players that we have on this team compared to our FCS rosters. I'm just hoping that we do compete at a high level in the Clemson game. To keep moving this train forward we have to start showing out in big time games like this one. That's what I meant in my earlier post when I said I would count a close loss as a win. Look at how playing tough in those losses to State and Ga. Tech helped shape the Stink's image as a G5 force in just one year at the FBS level.

We're in a "prove it" situation. Had we been even marginally competitive against Michigan last year when national attention was on us we would garner more respect now. We can't start beating our chests again until we put up 9 and 10 win seasons. Go 'Neers!

We were marginally competitive against Michigan last year until the last 2.30 minutes of the first half. That blocked punt killed our team. I believe if that never happened, it would have been a lot closer game.

Maybe. But teams that compete at this level can't let one play lead to a 38 point defeat. This Clemson team is muchhhh better than that Michigan team. We have to come ready to play every down to stay in it and be respectable. My original point and the previous poster's statement are true. We are in "prove it" mode. We need to start giving these teams a run for their money all the way up to the final whistle.

Agree. And I think this team will give Clemson a run for their money. I truly believe people will be shocked at App State around 4pm on September 12th. <---- Mark it down everyone

[MtnDevil95]

If we're talking about gaining national relevance, I agree. However, that's a steep hill for a 2nd-year FBS program. My guess is that establishing ourselves as a premier G5 program will come first. Winning 9-10 games a year (or more) and being reasonably competitive against someone like Clemson would do that for us.

If we are able to skip a couple steps on the ladder, great. But if not, I'm ready to enjoy the climb.

I agree with this perspective. Sure a defeat of Clemson gets instant national recognition, and probably some AP votes for the Top 25, but I don't think it's an all or nothing proposition. For it "all" we'd need to beat Clemson, I suspect everyone agrees with that. For the "nothing" we'd allow Clemson to cover the spread and then some, wiping the field with us, making it look easy. I also think there's a middle ground where we get some amount of respect by playing the game close, scaring the TIgers. If we play it tight enough we'll even be mentioned everytime the possibility of Clemson "pulling a Clemson" comes up for the rest of the season.

[coachprouty]

If we are able to skip a couple steps on the ladder, great. But if not, I'm ready to enjoy the climb.

Amen! Should be a good journey. After a rough transition I am glad things started turning the right direction last year. I think keeping the game from getting out of hand will be good for the APPs. 16-21 like ULM & Texas A&M would be good to me.

[AtlAppMan]

If we're talking about gaining national relevance, I agree. However, that's a steep hill for a 2nd-year FBS program. My guess is that establishing ourselves as a premier G5 program will come first. Winning 9-10 games a year (or more) and being reasonably competitive against someone like Clemson would do that for us.

If we are able to skip a couple steps on the ladder, great. But if not, I'm ready to enjoy the climb.

If I recall correctly, last year about this time MOST people in FBS kept saying it would take App a few years to be competitive even within the SBC. Now that we quickly addressed that concern it is time to turn our attention to our next "to do" item on the list. By several accounts (media outlets) such as ESPN we are picked near the top of the G5. Obviously we have to deliver a 9-10 win year. I believe the only way to become a "premier" G5 is to repeat that level of performance over several years. Why shouldn't we set our goals high and expect our team to perform? It sounds like from all the interviews, etc. coming out of our coaches and players that they expect to achieve those results and gain national relevance.

[JTApps1]

Coming close will not get it done. See ULM losing 16-21 against Texas A&M last year. That didn't get them any credibility. We have to win convincingly against our peers, G5, AND we have to win some of these big games. Consistency and demonstrating the ability to rise to the occasion in big games is the only way to get respect.

ULM also only won 4 games last year.

If we play Clemson to a 5 point game and go 11-1 that 5 point loss would certainly help us when it came time to deciding who got the access bowl slot. That said a win would be preferable.