Clemson game thread and discussion

[AppOrange]

I don’t think they ran up the score. They could have literally broken triple digits. We were not in the game after two series. Physically or mentally as I saw it.

They could have. I shoulder have worded it differently. It was more in line with the ones made dabo went for it on 4th down.

I saw it a diff way, he could have kept kicking field goals (scoring) but instead ran up the gut plays on 4th and med. can’t stop that, well then . . .

[AppSt94]

I haven’t read this thread since yesterday and I don’t really see the point.

Is it justifiable to be disappointed in the results yesterday? Absolutely

Were we out-coached yesterday? No question. They knew our gameplan on defense and figured out how to exploit it. Kudos to them.

Were we outmanned yesterday? It certainly appears so. That is a good football team with superior talent.

Does anyone deserved to be fired for last night? No.

Will anyone be fired for last night? Again, NO!

I’m not going to pick on player performance but the passing game was off badly yesterday and that was on all parts.

The results of last night do not change anything about the team goals. The SBC East, the conference championship and a possible CFP berth are all still attainable.

Clemson was the best opponent that we will face this season unless we get into the CFP.

The games over, the season starts next week with 10 games about G5 peers.

If you want to sit and stew in your feeling, feel free. We have another game in 7 days.

GO APP!

A playoff birth is out of the question. If we run the table, the CFP committee is going to remember last night. Boise St. was competitive against Oregon, they have the opportunity to have signature wins. A 12-1 Sun Belt champion won't get the credit a 10-3 MW or American champion gets. Not with the memory of what we looked like with a competitive (not elite) P4 program. Can we win the conference, sure, but we haven't under Clark. Yes he's played for two in four years, but we weren't particularly competitive. And let's not forget, we only technically won the East last year. A week ago we were given less than 3% chance of making the playoffs. The rest of the world sees us for what we are. We are an above average FBS football program. That's it.

We are two games into a 12 game season. We lost a game that we were likely expected to lose. Let it play out and let’s see how it shakes out.

Then we should win the next 10 games we are likely expected to win. Well, a few years ago, we would be expected to win every remaining game in the schedule. Not sure about that anymore though. That’s where we’ve gotten to. Every game is now a toss up.

The season was always going to start next week. ETSU was the weakest opponent on our schedule and Clemson was the strongest. Next week is where you see where things can go. I get the panic and despair, but how much of that is how we lost and not that we lost? I get it and I’m not going to put lipstick on a pig, but let’s look at some things that should be good signs. The Clemson defensive front four are all NFL caliber guys. 43 drop backs and only 1 sack. That is a good sign that the line is gelling. Joey had a bad day but I don’t think he sees that kind of pressure the rest of the year. The defense is a work in progress but they will get there. Injuries and issues aside, we should be fine.

Castle looks like the guy that can be a feature back.

[AppDub]

With the turnover in personnel, it wouldn't be out of left field if things gelled and we ran the table. BUT, we would need to do it in dramatic fashion like Clemson did to us and absolutely embarrass teams, which I don't see happening with this staff. Some of us need to stop looking at CFB the way we used to, it's a completely different game. I still like it, but I don't have the same passion I once did bc it's never going to be worthy of that again. That's just a fact. There is a reason why I promoted the idea of being a launchpad program for coaches instead of trying to duplicate traditions of old. This just isn't the same sport it once was.

I agree. Even if we could, this staff would not embarrass anyone with the score. It is more likely that they will lose a game we are winning by taking the foot off the gas out of fear of being disrespectful. You can still be respectful and put teams away. I'd rather have a dominate team and a few other coaches dislike our HC, than have everyone love him and not be a conference winner at least every couple of years. Style points matter these days unfortunately.

[311neers]

I haven’t read this thread since yesterday and I don’t really see the point.

Is it justifiable to be disappointed in the results yesterday? Absolutely

Were we out-coached yesterday? No question. They knew our gameplan on defense and figured out how to exploit it. Kudos to them.

Were we outmanned yesterday? It certainly appears so. That is a good football team with superior talent.

Does anyone deserved to be fired for last night? No.

Will anyone be fired for last night? Again, NO!

I’m not going to pick on player performance but the passing game was off badly yesterday and that was on all parts.

The results of last night do not change anything about the team goals. The SBC East, the conference championship and a possible CFP berth are all still attainable.

Clemson was the best opponent that we will face this season unless we get into the CFP.

The games over, the season starts next week with 10 games about G5 peers.

If you want to sit and stew in your feeling, feel free. We have another game in 7 days.

GO APP!

A playoff birth is out of the question. If we run the table, the CFP committee is going to remember last night. Boise St. was competitive against Oregon, they have the opportunity to have signature wins. A 12-1 Sun Belt champion won't get the credit a 10-3 MW or American champion gets. Not with the memory of what we looked like with a competitive (not elite) P4 program. Can we win the conference, sure, but we haven't under Clark. Yes he's played for two in four years, but we weren't particularly competitive. And let's not forget, we only technically won the East last year. A week ago we were given less than 3% chance of making the playoffs. The rest of the world sees us for what we are. We are an above average FBS football program. That's it.

We are two games into a 12 game season. We lost a game that we were likely expected to lose. Let it play out and let’s see how it shakes out.

Then we should win the next 10 games we are likely expected to win. Well, a few years ago, we would be expected to win every remaining game in the schedule. Not sure about that anymore though. That’s where we’ve gotten to. Every game is now a toss up.

The season was always going to start next week. ETSU was the weakest opponent on our schedule and Clemson was the strongest. Next week is where you see where things can go. I get the panic and despair, but how much of that is how we lost and not that we lost? I get it and I’m not going to put lipstick on a pig, but let’s look at some things that should be good signs. The Clemson defensive front four are all NFL caliber guys. 43 drop backs and only 1 sack. That is a good sign that the line is gelling. Joey had a bad day but I don’t think he sees that kind of pressure the rest of the year. The defense is a work in progress but they will get there. Injuries and issues aside, we should be fine.

Castle looks like the guy that can be a feature back.

Yep, we were going to be 1-1 sitting here.
Our offense will be fine, OL held their own in pass pro but we didn’t have much time to drive it downfield- All short routes. Going back to my point about the pass rush…where is it? Kade had more time than a 7 on 7 tourney where they aren’t allowed to rush the QB.
I’m just saying- 5 years ago, we would be favored and expected to win the next 10 games on our schedule. Fast forward to present day- we have 10 games left, all 10 feel like toss up games. I miss the days not too long ago where we could sit here and put a W next to a week 8 game and not even have to think twice about it. But, stuff changes, different NCAAF landscape now, different coaching staff, players, portal, etc. Have to find a way to mend the D and win some games.

[bcoach]

We sound more like State fans all the time.

[beav910]

ECU is our first true test against peer competition. I’m really interested to see what happens there. After sleeping on it though, blowouts happen even if it’s rare for us. NCSU got demolished by Tennessee last night and that’s a supposed peer to peer matchup. As for the Clark discussion, from the outside looking in its an interesting dynamic for sure. Do you keep the guy who is pretty much close but no cigar partly because he won’t go looking for other jobs?

[app97]

I’m going to throw in a positive from last night….this was the first time I’ve attended a game on the road vs a P4 opponent. Clemson fans that I encountered were all super cordial and respectful of our program/school. I didn’t stumble across a single a-hole. Tailgates were all very chill and folks were hospitable. CU is a very nice campus and they have an amazing gameday culture.

[hapapp]

I hesitate to state this because I don't want it to be seen as an over reaction, but two games into the season, Joey is not playing anywhere near what he displayed last year. It is early, and one game was against a vastly superior opponent. But, while the yards are coming, something seems out of sync.

[AppinVA]

I hesitate to state this because I don't want it to be seen as an over reaction, but two games into the season, Joey is not playing anywhere near what he displayed last year. It is early, and one game was against a vastly superior opponent. But, while the yards are coming, something seems out of sync.

He can’t set his feet.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

It's a one off game, Clemson will be top 5 by seasons end....calm down - they had them on two 3rd downs and DB's had mental breakdowns, you can't win the game in the 1st quarter but you sure as hell can lose it.

The more alarming thing and Ive harped on it for a few years now,

The September schedule the AD has put before #TEAMCLARK the last 3 Septembers '22 - '23' '24 has been first class unjust and unfair. The man has zero feel at being able to piece a schedule together in order to help make his program look better..

Ya"ll will dispute me but I am 110% correct on this...cupcakes need to be in place between P5 and rivalry's

#TeamClark still lives here!

Top 5 only because of their schedule. Good team, not great. Welcome back.

Thanks for having me back!

Clemson has a top 5 defense... there is no pre season in college so it takes til week 3 to really settle in as a team in college football.

and to reference your Clemson weak schedule comment - that's my point - App State can't continue to sneak up on these P5's each year and pull off an upset - Dabo had them boys ready, App made 2 3rd down mistakes in 1st quarter and the snowball rolled at that point.

Dummy down the schedule and the playoff is a possibility in the future!!! but not until then, can't ask a App State team to play perfect for 12 games. Doug gives in to the Sofields and Ricks crew on playing the big boys and other decisions -- he can't think for himself to help elevate the program, it's stuck in the purgatory of FBS.... Other schools stepped up there game and all he did was add seats to create more debt.

Now onto a rival game and a SBC game 4 days after that, tough sleding ahead.

Only 3 App State teams since 1990 has finished the season with only 1 loss -- #TeamClark was apart of 2 out of the 3.

Agree. It's simpler to just say Doug is manipulated by a few select individuals and as much as I've liked Doug, I wish we had an AD that wasn't a puppet for a few wallets

Are there any ADs out there that are so flush with cash from other sources they can tell big donors to pound sand? I don't really like that system but unless we somehow require anonymous donations I doubt that ever gets to change. I only hope they folks with money make good decisions.

[AppSt91]

I'm OK with Dabo doing what he did. He has the right to put up 200 points on us if he wanted to. He has a job to do and new landscape required him to curb stomp our lifeless bodies.

I agree with this. It’s our job to stop them. If we can’t then we get what we get.

Problem is that doesn’t seem to be the mindset we have when it comes to games such as ETSU.

[appstatealum]

It's a one off game, Clemson will be top 5 by seasons end....calm down - they had them on two 3rd downs and DB's had mental breakdowns, you can't win the game in the 1st quarter but you sure as hell can lose it.

The more alarming thing and Ive harped on it for a few years now,

The September schedule the AD has put before #TEAMCLARK the last 3 Septembers '22 - '23' '24 has been first class unjust and unfair. The man has zero feel at being able to piece a schedule together in order to help make his program look better..

Ya"ll will dispute me but I am 110% correct on this...cupcakes need to be in place between P5 and rivalry's

#TeamClark still lives here!

Top 5 only because of their schedule. Good team, not great. Welcome back.

Thanks for having me back!

Clemson has a top 5 defense... there is no pre season in college so it takes til week 3 to really settle in as a team in college football.

and to reference your Clemson weak schedule comment - that's my point - App State can't continue to sneak up on these P5's each year and pull off an upset - Dabo had them boys ready, App made 2 3rd down mistakes in 1st quarter and the snowball rolled at that point.

Dummy down the schedule and the playoff is a possibility in the future!!! but not until then, can't ask a App State team to play perfect for 12 games. Doug gives in to the Sofields and Ricks crew on playing the big boys and other decisions -- he can't think for himself to help elevate the program, it's stuck in the purgatory of FBS.... Other schools stepped up there game and all he did was add seats to create more debt.

Now onto a rival game and a SBC game 4 days after that, tough sleding ahead.

Only 3 App State teams since 1990 has finished the season with only 1 loss -- #TeamClark was apart of 2 out of the 3.

Agree. It's simpler to just say Doug is manipulated by a few select individuals and as much as I've liked Doug, I wish we had an AD that wasn't a puppet for a few wallets

Are there any ADs out there that are so flush with cash from other sources they can tell big donors to pound sand? I don't really like that system but unless we somehow require anonymous donations I doubt that ever gets to change. I only hope they folks with money make good decisions.

You're not wrong. My issue is more about the wallets we have here at App.

[AppinVA]

The Panthers: Hold my beer.

[BallantyneApp]

Top 5 only because of their schedule. Good team, not great. Welcome back.

Thanks for having me back!

Clemson has a top 5 defense... there is no pre season in college so it takes til week 3 to really settle in as a team in college football.

and to reference your Clemson weak schedule comment - that's my point - App State can't continue to sneak up on these P5's each year and pull off an upset - Dabo had them boys ready, App made 2 3rd down mistakes in 1st quarter and the snowball rolled at that point.

Dummy down the schedule and the playoff is a possibility in the future!!! but not until then, can't ask a App State team to play perfect for 12 games. Doug gives in to the Sofields and Ricks crew on playing the big boys and other decisions -- he can't think for himself to help elevate the program, it's stuck in the purgatory of FBS.... Other schools stepped up there game and all he did was add seats to create more debt.

Now onto a rival game and a SBC game 4 days after that, tough sleding ahead.

Only 3 App State teams since 1990 has finished the season with only 1 loss -- #TeamClark was apart of 2 out of the 3.

Agree. It's simpler to just say Doug is manipulated by a few select individuals and as much as I've liked Doug, I wish we had an AD that wasn't a puppet for a few wallets

Are there any ADs out there that are so flush with cash from other sources they can tell big donors to pound sand? I don't really like that system but unless we somehow require anonymous donations I doubt that ever gets to change. I only hope they folks with money make good decisions.

You're not wrong. My issue is more about the wallets we have here at App.

I can promise you we aren’t the only program where the top donors have big egos.

[AppStFan1]

Quick question. When was the last time our defense was legitimately good? 2019?

Fair question and to be honest that defense was special, especially for a G5 team. That defense had Meech, Charles, Davis-Gaither. Thomas, Jolly, Jackson, Hampton, and Ross. All of them proved to be NFL caliber talent. That is an insane quantity of players for one defense at our level. That is hard to replicate.

It is but there is NFL talent developed that P4 schools miss every year. If we could find those guys back then we still can find it now. I'm not saying we can be that stacked every year but there is NFL talent that go to low level G5s, FCS, and D2 every year that I bet if we offer them they would have possibly come to App.

Legit recruiting question/debate. There are 4 ways for a team like us to consider. 1. Look to sign 20-25 HS players every year or whatever it takes to fill out the roster with just a couple of transfers per year. 2. Go heavy into the portal by signing 15+ each year and never take double digit HS players. 3. Have a balance with roughly half and half. 4. Completely ignore one of them and go all in on either portal or HS recruiting. Of those 4 which is more likely for us to find diamonds in the rough that could be developed?

NIL question/debate for end of season. I don't know how much our players are getting paid or who all is but I would be curious to compare their seasons to those not getting paid to see if it is worth it. I would also be curious to search if we are better off financially to use NIL money to expand recruiting budget to find more diamonds in the rough or is the money better spend retaining and adding players rather than looking for those diamonds in the rough for free like Nick Hampton, Peoples, Hodges, Jackson, etc.

[AppStFan1]

Thanks for having me back!

Clemson has a top 5 defense... there is no pre season in college so it takes til week 3 to really settle in as a team in college football.

and to reference your Clemson weak schedule comment - that's my point - App State can't continue to sneak up on these P5's each year and pull off an upset - Dabo had them boys ready, App made 2 3rd down mistakes in 1st quarter and the snowball rolled at that point.

Dummy down the schedule and the playoff is a possibility in the future!!! but not until then, can't ask a App State team to play perfect for 12 games. Doug gives in to the Sofields and Ricks crew on playing the big boys and other decisions -- he can't think for himself to help elevate the program, it's stuck in the purgatory of FBS.... Other schools stepped up there game and all he did was add seats to create more debt.

Now onto a rival game and a SBC game 4 days after that, tough sleding ahead.

Only 3 App State teams since 1990 has finished the season with only 1 loss -- #TeamClark was apart of 2 out of the 3.

Agree. It's simpler to just say Doug is manipulated by a few select individuals and as much as I've liked Doug, I wish we had an AD that wasn't a puppet for a few wallets

Are there any ADs out there that are so flush with cash from other sources they can tell big donors to pound sand? I don't really like that system but unless we somehow require anonymous donations I doubt that ever gets to change. I only hope they folks with money make good decisions.

You're not wrong. My issue is more about the wallets we have here at App.

I can promise you we aren’t the only program where the top donors have big egos.

Indeed. The better question is to ask if there is any program where the big donors don't have a big ego? lol

[311neers]

The Panthers: Hold my beer.

9 quarters without scoring. Longest since the 2000 Bengals. I didn’t think it could get worse than last night.

[Saint3333]

We sound more like State fans all the time.

Unfortunately that is correlated with a similar record and seasons at State.

[AppStFan1]

I haven’t read this thread since yesterday and I don’t really see the point.

Is it justifiable to be disappointed in the results yesterday? Absolutely

Were we out-coached yesterday? No question. They knew our gameplan on defense and figured out how to exploit it. Kudos to them.

Were we outmanned yesterday? It certainly appears so. That is a good football team with superior talent.

Does anyone deserved to be fired for last night? No.

Will anyone be fired for last night? Again, NO!

I’m not going to pick on player performance but the passing game was off badly yesterday and that was on all parts.

The results of last night do not change anything about the team goals. The SBC East, the conference championship and a possible CFP berth are all still attainable.

Clemson was the best opponent that we will face this season unless we get into the CFP.

The games over, the season starts next week with 10 games about G5 peers.

If you want to sit and stew in your feeling, feel free. We have another game in 7 days.

GO APP!

A playoff birth is out of the question. If we run the table, the CFP committee is going to remember last night. Boise St. was competitive against Oregon, they have the opportunity to have signature wins. A 12-1 Sun Belt champion won't get the credit a 10-3 MW or American champion gets. Not with the memory of what we looked like with a competitive (not elite) P4 program. Can we win the conference, sure, but we haven't under Clark. Yes he's played for two in four years, but we weren't particularly competitive. And let's not forget, we only technically won the East last year. A week ago we were given less than 3% chance of making the playoffs. The rest of the world sees us for what we are. We are an above average FBS football program. That's it.

We are two games into a 12 game season. We lost a game that we were likely expected to lose. Let it play out and let’s see how it shakes out.

ESPN gives ECU a 57.3% chance of winning. I'm guessing Vegas will have us as a road dog. Soooo, will that count as a game we are expected to lose? That's a legitimate question. I get that we are two games into the season. But in fairness, we have four seasons under Clark to look at.

The internal expectation in Boone is 11+ wins and a SBC title but Vegas, ESPN, and most people who project wins had us as 8.5. I do consider this a game we are expected to lose since we are on the road. A lot of prognosticators had us losing to Clemson, East Carolina, Liberty, and 1-2 conference losses. I feel like we are either pretty solid and will come out mad and beat ECU by double digits or we are just not that good and ECU beats us. I am optimistic we come out mad and win but if we lose I won't expect to beat Liberty and will expect to lose at least 2 SBC games.

[AppSt94]

We are 1-1, which is likely what most of all figured would be the situation after two games.