Where are we at as Appalachian football?

[APPdiesel]

A better question is where are we at as a fan base?

We have fans with blinders on who refuse to believe anything is wrong.

We have unhinged “the sky is falling fire everyone” doomsayers.

And we have fans who try to gate keep the right to have an opinion based on how much you donate to YC.

None of these stances are particularly healthy.

The truth, as always, is right in the middle. We gave a Mountaineer a chance, that Mountaineer seems to have the program sliding backward from a dominant program that was once rolling most everyone and achieving top 25s to an undisciplined team that struggles to beat lower half of the conference opponents on the road. This isn’t “one bad game and Clark deserves to be fired” this is a trend that people are rightfully concerned about.

[Saint3333]

I'm in the camp that we have seven, hopefully eight games left and at that point the decision maker (which I trust) will have the body of work to make an assessment.

This team has the talent to beat anyone remaining on the schedule, they will lose more games as they are still young, but they should win more than they lose down the stretch.

[Stonewall]

She understands the importance of the program to the greater university, and to those who support it.Taking all tangible issues into account , it will be a business decision based upon the big picture.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I think I’m ready to take a stab at this. Our team’s identity under Clark: Slow starts and gets behind early. Fights to get back in the game for a chance to win and ultimately finds a way to lose. Runs up the middle on 2nd and longer than 10…always. When a running back get hot, sit him and do running back by committee even after seeing it work better all season with 1 primary back. Play not to lose. Micromanage the offense as to not let the OC do what he’s paid to do. What did I miss? I’m willing to give Clark this year to get the train back on the track, but doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is not going to work. My membership to #TeamClark is wavering.

[BambooRdApp]

In Boone.. playing in the SBC conference.

[Pikapp79]

Took a shot with Clark since he bleeds black and gold. Experiment failed. Time to nab a coach with real credentials instead of the easy hire.

[appstate5]

Look at the schedule
Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1.......that's where we are at.

Bump.

Win 1, Lose 1, WIn 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 1

[asu1988]

Sinking like the Titanic.

[311neers]

Look at the schedule
Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 1, Win 1.......that's where we are at.

Bump.

Win 1, Lose 1, WIn 1, Lose 1, Win 1, Lose 1

Guaranteed win v ODU then!

[appgrad95&97]

ODU's 3 losses are to VT, Wake and Marshall. They might be better than Coastal.

[DenverOfTheEast]

I promise you one thing the next head Coach won't be playing as tough a September schedule as Clark has faced, DG and Everts will protect the next guy for sure.... next guy will want to see the schedule and he will say aint no way we playing 2 P5's in same year.

Read James Franklin article this week about non conference schedule and look at G5 Liberty schedule has done, they are 6-0 against a bunch of no bodies.

[appgrad95&97]

I promise you one thing the next head Coach won't be playing as tough a September schedule as Clark has faced, DG and Everts will protect the next guy for sure.... next guy will want to see the schedule and he will say aint no way we playing 2 P5's in same year.

Read James Franklin article this week about non conference schedule and look at G5 Liberty schedule has done, they are 6-0 against a bunch of no bodies.

In September we played an FCS team, ECU (who's only win to date is that FCS team), Carolina (who will not play us again) and a Wyoming team we statistically dominated.

#Where'sthehashtag

[DenverOfTheEast]

I promise you one thing the next head Coach won't be playing as tough a September schedule as Clark has faced, DG and Everts will protect the next guy for sure.... next guy will want to see the schedule and he will say aint no way we playing 2 P5's in same year.

Read James Franklin article this week about non conference schedule and look at G5 Liberty schedule has done, they are 6-0 against a bunch of no bodies.

In September we played an FCS team, ECU (who's only win to date is that FCS team), Carolina (who will not play us again) and a Wyoming team we statistically dominated.

#Where'sthehashtag

But the main test of the post was for 2022 - back to back P5 games.

That should get a G5 fired for that debacle, Drink played UNC in Sept, and USC in Nov. not back to back.

#7yearsasanAppStateStudentandstillnotverybright

[BeauFoster]

I promise you one thing the next head Coach won't be playing as tough a September schedule as Clark has faced, DG and Everts will protect the next guy for sure.... next guy will want to see the schedule and he will say aint no way we playing 2 P5's in same year.

Read James Franklin article this week about non conference schedule and look at G5 Liberty schedule has done, they are 6-0 against a bunch of no bodies.

Upcoming scheduled games:
2024: ETSU, Clemson, ECU, Liberty
2025: NCSU, Toledo
2026: ECU, UNCC, NCSU

I don’t think they’ve done anyone any super duper favors with the games scheduled many years in advance. We all assume there will be and FCS team each season, as well.

[Yosefus]

We are currently a mediocre program and spiraling down. Next 2 opponents we have a shot. I hope I'm wrong but the last 4 games are going to be painful to watch.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

I promise you one thing the next head Coach won't be playing as tough a September schedule as Clark has faced, DG and Everts will protect the next guy for sure.... next guy will want to see the schedule and he will say aint no way we playing 2 P5's in same year.

Read James Franklin article this week about non conference schedule and look at G5 Liberty schedule has done, they are 6-0 against a bunch of no bodies.

Any coaching candidate that is afraid of a challenge such as playing two P5 opponents doesn't need to even bother interviewing for the position at App State.

That's more of an opportunity than anything.

Franklin isn't wrong with his comments, however Michigan is following what worked for years for SEC schools and even Ohio State up until they recently started playing better OOC opponents. Go undefeated, let others fall, climb the rankings, allow back ups playing time, then all you really need to do is beat Ohio State and Penn State and you're in the playoffs.

Until they eliminate the preseason rankings which carries a base for the eventual CFP rankings later, it will continue to be this way.

[BambooRdApp]

"Micromanage the offense as to not let the OC do what he’s paid to do."
Just curious, is this an actual true statement. That can only come from an insider with knowledge..not from generally viewing the game.

For the offense last night, I was curious why we never run to left side of line. It seemed most were to right side..

[asumba95]

I think I’m ready to take a stab at this. Our team’s identity under Clark: Slow starts and gets behind early. Fights to get back in the game for a chance to win and ultimately finds a way to lose. Runs up the middle on 2nd and longer than 10…always. When a running back get hot, sit him and do running back by committee even after seeing it work better all season with 1 primary back. Play not to lose. Micromanage the offense as to not let the OC do what he’s paid to do. What did I miss? I’m willing to give Clark this year to get the train back on the track, but doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is not going to work. My membership to #TeamClark is wavering.

nail meet the head of said hammer

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

ODU's 3 losses are to VT, Wake and Marshall. They might be better than Coastal.

I believe they're also on a bye this week, so even slightly more time than App to prepare, and it's a home game for them. Southern Mississippi plays during the week next week, so they'll get more prep time as well.

These are things I used to shrug off as variables that App State football could overcome, these days they're legitimate concerns and considerations.

[BambooRdApp]

ODU's 3 losses are to VT, Wake and Marshall. They might be better than Coastal.

I believe they're also on a bye this week, so even slightly more time than App to prepare, and it's a home game for them. Southern Mississippi plays during the week next week, so they'll get more prep time as well.

These are things I used to shrug off as variables that App State football could overcome, these days they're legitimate concerns and considerations.

The difference between ODU time off and App is inconsequential for this upcoming game and should have zero impact on outcome of the game. We got like 10 days until next game.