Up Next...UNC

[GSUwasGump’sFallbackSchool]

Feels like Saturday is Nate’s opportunity to get himself drafted. He looked incredible Saturday, and that’s without an A grade blocking performance. He made some very flashy moves look pedestrian.

He cooked UNC last season, he knows he can run on these guys.

[Saint3333]

Comes down to which dline plays better. That said the line of 15 looks low.

We’ll have to win the TO battle and have more sacks to stay close.

[Apple@chin1]

Just throwing this out there, but...

If strong feelings are still lingering from yesterday's flame war on the App/GW game thread, I'll be happy to host a street brawl before ECU. I'm thinking a little App-on-App violence will lower the testosterone level here and make things a bit more civil.

I'm leaning towards hosting the event inside the construction fence at Belk Hall. Centrally located and provides us with a modicum of privacy in which to transact our business.

Lemme know if you want me to set your name down. Once the fighter's card firms up a bit, I'll get busy setting lines with our resident math/stats wizard (aka, 94). Plus, I'll graciously offer to make book before and during the event. Oh yeah, leave your SO and young'uns at the tailgate...

Should I call Tuesday and reserve a block of parking spaces in Duncan that we can make an Octogon in?

I don't know about everyone else but I started hearing West Side Story music in the background reading this post.

Better than hearing Deliverance banjo music, for sure.

[Appst86]

I hate to say it.....but this time around Carolina will sand paper our ass. It could be really bad Deja vu 2011 vs VaTech. I hope I eat crow pie. Our RBs aren't as deep as folks think and the OL will get pushed around and we don't have a Cam Peoples style back to keep them honest nor a veteran QB. We will have to play up tight swarm and tackle extremely well and I don't see it happening.

We have a starting QB with more starting experience than last time we went down there and beat them...

Very true and you make a valid point....but Zach could run very well and I think we had a better overall talented team then vs a much weaker Carolina team talent wise plus we were under the radar coming into that game. I remember actually expecting to beat Carolina in that one and I think many others did too.

That's fair. I agree 2019 had better individual talent but I think we have more depth this year.

It especially seems like we do on defense in a few spots. I looked at the numbers on PFF and they got us credited with 19 offensive players and 28 defensive players who played.

We played 10 DBs, 6 DL, and 12 LBs. That seemed like a solid number for this game. On offense we had 2 QBs, 7 WRs, 2 TEs, 6 OL, and 2 RBs. I was hoping to see 2-3 more OL, 1-2 more RBs, and another TE but overall we did see a lot. If we had Marshall, Castle, and McKnight able to play I feel like they all would have seen the field as well.

We had 13 players on the roster in 2019 that were in NFL camps this summer (some have since been released/cut). Listed below. I did this pretty quick so I may have missed some; nonetheless, there's a reason we won 13 games.

Jalen Virgil WR Denver Broncos
Nick Hampton LB Los Angeles Rams
Steven Jones. DB Tennessee Titans
Akeem Davis-Gaither LB Cincinnati Bengals
Ryan Neuzil OL. Atlanta Falcons
Cooper Hodges OL Jacksonville Jaguars
Darrynton Evans RB Buffalo Bills
Anderson Hardy OL Kansas City Chiefs
Henry Pearson FB/TE Green Bay Packers
Demarco Jackson LB New Orleans Saints
Shaun Jolly DB. Los Angeles Rams
Shemar Jean-Charles DB Green Bay Packers
Cameron Peoples RB Carolina Panthers

[diehardapp18]

UNC opens -15.5… seems fair and honestly I’d probably be pretty happy if we covered that as they just beat South Carolina by 14 at a neutral.

Just hoping we avoid serious injuries and show some flashes. Not the worst situation to go in with everyone counting you out. I can’t wait to see Aguilar again.

[Bigdaddyg1]

I never predict my team to lose. If I honestly think they have no shot I typically just refrain from any prediction.
That being said this one is gonna be tough. I commented during the game Saturday that I often wonder why more teams don't use those quick flanker screens where the receiver is covered by a blocker. Seems like those plays are almost guaranteed for 5 yards at least. Obviously you need a QB with a quick release and unless the defender can lock onto the receiver it's probably gonna work. With our defense we layed off the receivers and pretty much gave up the catch.

[Mjohn1988]

We have a starting QB with more starting experience than last time we went down there and beat them...

Very true and you make a valid point....but Zach could run very well and I think we had a better overall talented team then vs a much weaker Carolina team talent wise plus we were under the radar coming into that game. I remember actually expecting to beat Carolina in that one and I think many others did too.

That's fair. I agree 2019 had better individual talent but I think we have more depth this year.

It especially seems like we do on defense in a few spots. I looked at the numbers on PFF and they got us credited with 19 offensive players and 28 defensive players who played.

We played 10 DBs, 6 DL, and 12 LBs. That seemed like a solid number for this game. On offense we had 2 QBs, 7 WRs, 2 TEs, 6 OL, and 2 RBs. I was hoping to see 2-3 more OL, 1-2 more RBs, and another TE but overall we did see a lot. If we had Marshall, Castle, and McKnight able to play I feel like they all would have seen the field as well.

We had 13 players on the roster in 2019 that were in NFL camps this summer (some have since been released/cut). Listed below. I did this pretty quick so I may have missed some; nonetheless, there's a reason we won 13 games.

Jalen Virgil WR Denver Broncos
Nick Hampton LB Los Angeles Rams
Steven Jones. DB Tennessee Titans
Akeem Davis-Gaither LB Cincinnati Bengals
Ryan Neuzil OL. Atlanta Falcons
Cooper Hodges OL Jacksonville Jaguars
Darrynton Evans RB Buffalo Bills
Anderson Hardy OL Kansas City Chiefs
Henry Pearson FB/TE Green Bay Packers
Demarco Jackson LB New Orleans Saints
Shaun Jolly DB. Los Angeles Rams
Shemar Jean-Charles DB Green Bay Packers
Cameron Peoples RB Carolina Panthers

Maybe it’s because I haven’t gotten to recognize some of the guys we have now but it does feel like our talent level has fallen off since that team.

[BambooRdApp]

Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Fast...we get a couple a turnover or two and we got a chance. We have won several of these over the past several years. Hopefully Yosef feeds on lamb chops this coming Saturday.

[AppSt94]

Weather looks to be a factor.

[savoyspecial21]

2019 team also had better coaching.

Although Drink did love to coast with a lead.

[nomadb]

People who compare every team we put on the field to the 2019 version are going to be perpetually disappointed. That was a special team. I’d love to live up to that standard every year but that isn’t remotely realistic

As to our chances of beating UNC this weekend, I’d say that I’m perfectly comfortable being a 3 score underdog going in. I’d kinda like to see it 3 TD’s by game day. We all know that being the underdog is a driver for our program historically. Maybe these guys need to feel disrespected.

Hopefully forcing some turnovers against GW gave the defense a little confidence and they will find themselves. To my eyes the defense looked way, way better than last year.

Aguilar looks confident. Hopefully that’s contagious and we see a hot offense this year.

[yosef69]

I know some of us don’t like to look at spreads but unc -15.5. Ouch.

[appstate77]

It's Carolina's Superbowl folks! Let's lay the lumber on them. We are deep, talented, and hungry. We play well against P5 entitlement. Ram stew for dinner!

[appgrad95&97]

People who compare every team we put on the field to the 2019 version are going to be perpetually disappointed. That was a special team. I’d love to live up to that standard every year but that isn’t remotely realistic

2019 was special. Expecting to beat two FBS teams in the same season is unrealistic. Expecting to go 13-1 is unrealistic. BUT the three years before '19 we averaged 10-3, in the three years after we've averaged 8.3-4.3. The explanations going in the the UNC game were much higher than going into this one (and that more than the venue).

[BayouApp]

Just throwing this out there, but...

If strong feelings are still lingering from yesterday's flame war on the App/GW game thread, I'll be happy to host a street brawl before ECU. I'm thinking a little App-on-App violence will lower the testosterone level here and make things a bit more civil.

I'm leaning towards hosting the event inside the construction fence at Belk Hall. Centrally located and provides us with a modicum of privacy in which to transact our business.

Lemme know if you want me to set your name down. Once the fighter's card firms up a bit, I'll get busy setting lines with our resident math/stats wizard (aka, 94). Plus, I'll graciously offer to make book before and during the event. Oh yeah, leave your SO and young'uns at the tailgate...

Should I call Tuesday and reserve a block of parking spaces in Duncan that we can make an Octogon in?

I don't know about everyone else but I started hearing West Side Story music in the background reading this post.

Or Dueling Banjos music.

[Black Saturday]

I hate to say it.....but this time around Carolina will sand paper our ass. It could be really bad Deja vu 2011 vs VaTech. I hope I eat crow pie. Our RBs aren't as deep as folks think and the OL will get pushed around and we don't have a Cam Peoples style back to keep them honest nor a veteran QB. We will have to play up tight swarm and tackle extremely well and I don't see it happening.

We have a starting QB with more starting experience than last time we went down there and beat them...

Very true and you make a valid point....but Zach could run very well and I think we had a better overall talented team then vs a much weaker Carolina team talent wise plus we were under the radar coming into that game. I remember actually expecting to beat Carolina in that one and I think many others did too.

That's fair. I agree 2019 had better individual talent but I think we have more depth this year.

It especially seems like we do on defense in a few spots. I looked at the numbers on PFF and they got us credited with 19 offensive players and 28 defensive players who played.

We played 10 DBs, 6 DL, and 12 LBs. That seemed like a solid number for this game. On offense we had 2 QBs, 7 WRs, 2 TEs, 6 OL, and 2 RBs. I was hoping to see 2-3 more OL, 1-2 more RBs, and another TE but overall we did see a lot. If we had Marshall, Castle, and McKnight able to play I feel like they all would have seen the field as well.

Why did we run Noel 24 times with all the backs we have and risk injury against GW even after the game was decided? Did we need the "practice" or is it just dumb? I think our RBs 2-3-4 are capable of offering relief.

Why did we play 10 yards off the receivers all game long and allow the bubble screen to be completed, and not bring any pressure until later in the game? Were we afraid of Gaither?

Needed adjustments continue to be slow in my opinion.

Happy our backup QB can see the field and throw the ball in a shoebox.

[Bigdaddyg1]

We have a starting QB with more starting experience than last time we went down there and beat them...

Very true and you make a valid point....but Zach could run very well and I think we had a better overall talented team then vs a much weaker Carolina team talent wise plus we were under the radar coming into that game. I remember actually expecting to beat Carolina in that one and I think many others did too.

That's fair. I agree 2019 had better individual talent but I think we have more depth this year.

It especially seems like we do on defense in a few spots. I looked at the numbers on PFF and they got us credited with 19 offensive players and 28 defensive players who played.

We played 10 DBs, 6 DL, and 12 LBs. That seemed like a solid number for this game. On offense we had 2 QBs, 7 WRs, 2 TEs, 6 OL, and 2 RBs. I was hoping to see 2-3 more OL, 1-2 more RBs, and another TE but overall we did see a lot. If we had Marshall, Castle, and McKnight able to play I feel like they all would have seen the field as well.

Why did we run Noel 24 times with all the backs we have and risk injury against GW even after the game was decided? Did we need the "practice" or is it just dumb? I think our RBs 2-3-4 are capable of offering relief.

Why did we play 10 yards off the receivers all game long and allow the bubble screen to be completed, and not bring any pressure until later in the game? Were we afraid of Gaither?

Needed adjustments continue to be slow in my opinion.

Happy our backup QB can see the field and throw the ball in a shoebox.

Kind of agree with Nate. Once he got his 100 and the game was secure I expected to see some other guys. Wonder if some are in a dog house or dinged up from practice.

[Yosef1986]

Saturday to me was a tale of 2 teams - once the backup QB came into the game and made plays - App woke up. I believe there is more confidence with the 2nd QB in the lineup. I hope this continues. I still believe we can win - however, I do believe we will need to score and score often. The UNC D is much improved and we will need to be mistake free.

I do believe we make in game changes - slowly - however, more that in the past.

Go APPs!!

[311neers]

Very true and you make a valid point....but Zach could run very well and I think we had a better overall talented team then vs a much weaker Carolina team talent wise plus we were under the radar coming into that game. I remember actually expecting to beat Carolina in that one and I think many others did too.

That's fair. I agree 2019 had better individual talent but I think we have more depth this year.

It especially seems like we do on defense in a few spots. I looked at the numbers on PFF and they got us credited with 19 offensive players and 28 defensive players who played.

We played 10 DBs, 6 DL, and 12 LBs. That seemed like a solid number for this game. On offense we had 2 QBs, 7 WRs, 2 TEs, 6 OL, and 2 RBs. I was hoping to see 2-3 more OL, 1-2 more RBs, and another TE but overall we did see a lot. If we had Marshall, Castle, and McKnight able to play I feel like they all would have seen the field as well.

Why did we run Noel 24 times with all the backs we have and risk injury against GW even after the game was decided? Did we need the "practice" or is it just dumb? I think our RBs 2-3-4 are capable of offering relief.

Why did we play 10 yards off the receivers all game long and allow the bubble screen to be completed, and not bring any pressure until later in the game? Were we afraid of Gaither?

Needed adjustments continue to be slow in my opinion.

Happy our backup QB can see the field and throw the ball in a shoebox.

Kind of agree with Nate. Once he got his 100 and the game was secure I expected to see some other guys. Wonder if some are in a dog house or dinged up from practice.

Has to be injuries. There’s absolutely no reason Marshall and Roberts shouldn’t have been in that game late to save Noel and Haywood.

[Apple@chin1]

I feel like the cards were being held close to the chest against GW. We played vanilla football and won convincingly. I fully expect us to go bombs over Baghdad this week and beyond. With the battle of the Carolinas in Charlotte, UNC had to open up a lot of their playbook, which gives us good film to study going into Chapel Hill. We sat a lot of players that I believe will play significant roles this week & with no film to study, I’d say we’re in a better position than some may believe. This will be a true litmus test for where we stand among our peers in 2023. I’m pretty confident that we pull out a close one, as per our recent history with the Holes.