Our 2014 Home schedule = Ugh

[ASUMountaineer]

It is funny how our opinions change. Just a couple of years ago we were talking about how the top ( you fill in the number so we don't have to argue) of FCS was just as good or better than the bottom ( you fill in the number for the same reason as above ) of FBS. Now? Not so much. What I don't understand is why every conversation about football has to turn into this FCS/FBS crap. Our future schedules have nothing to do with our past schedules. We are in a different conference. This years schedule sucks but that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the SOCON. Next years will be better. Anyone who thinks that the SB is a strong conference right now just does not want to face reality. BUT that has NOTHING to do with the SOCON. I truly believe that GS and APP will improve that situation and that STILL has nothing to do with the SOCON. Those that don't like the move ( and I am one of them) need to stop. It is over. Those that are in favor of the move need to stop. It is over. Both sides should agree that this is not where we wanted to be. The fact is, that we are here. Every single thing that is said can't turn into a FCS/FBS thing or this program is going to suffer.
STOP POKING THE DAMN BEAR OR HE IS GOING TO MAUL YOUR A$$.

This is the only spot where I can find disagreement. For those of us that don't share your opinion (it's not a fact) that this year's schedule "sucks," we only have App's previous schedules to compare it to. I am much more excited about the schedule this year that last year's. I also never claimed that last year's schedule "sucked." I think 2014's schedule > 2013's schedule. Therefore, I see no issue.

I don't get why comparing this year's schedules to App's previous schedules is wrong. I also don't understand the mentality that this year's schedule "sucks." Sounds more like sour grapes than anything.

Well you are correct about my schedule sucking statement. Let me correct my statement. In "my opinion" the schedule sucks. I don't know what my grapes could be souring about though. There may be people who love it or at least like it and that is fine with me. The reason that I can't compare it to last year is that I just don't see any relevance. Last year was a FCS schedule and this year is an FBS schedule. I only see this years schedule as an FBS lineup and to me Liberty and Campbell just don't fit that very well. 2015 looks much more like an FBS schedule to me. That does not make it a fact as you say, just my opinion. In my rearview mirror FCS has become a dot way back in the distance.

That's fine, thanks for clarifying your statement. I have no problem that we disagree, and I don't suspect that one could convince the other. My apologies for assuming you had sour grapes. That statement was based on my recollection of you not being happy about the move to the SBC. That's what I get for assuming.

[ASUMountaineer]

The point I was trying to illustrate besides the fact that this years home schedule is nothing to get excited over at all, is that it's going to take time to establish rivalries etc. I know we are in a weird transition period and while i will embrace the change and root for App no matter who they play. I just laugh at some of the posters on here who obviously weren't around long enough to remember the epic battles we had with Furman and Southern in the SoCon over the years. Not to mention the amazing playoff games we had. Wins and loses. I know we are moving to better things eventually, but I still have much respect for where we came from and the opponents we played. Not really sure why people get so riled up about that, because when you do, you diminish all we have accomplished as a program, the players, coaches and fans. Secondly, it sorta just makes you look like you don't know all that much about football. The SunBelt is absolutely better than the So Con now, but I would argue several years ago, the So Con was pretty damn tough. Alot of teams in the SunBelt are not world beaters either. East Hall illustrated that point very well.

I'm old enough to remember the great rivalry games between FUrman and Georgia Southern. My first Georgia Southern game was my freshman year in 1999--damn good game. I remember being devastated when we lost to Montana in OT in 2000. I was there for the championship years, I was at the Michigan game, I was there in 2004 when we struggled making the move to the spread. You can't look at this year's schedule in a vacuum. It does not stand alone, it's part of a process. You have to walk before you can run, right? App is getting there...getting to a place it probably should have tried getting to earlier. However, this is our lot.

What gets people riled up is the tone of your post(s), and then the dismissal of others who share differing opinions. A lot of us missed the memo stating that it was fact that this year schedule is no bueno. I am very excited about this year's schedule. While it is not, in most people's view, an "awesome" schedule, it is our first ever schedule as an FBS school. I find that extremely exciting, and the "appetizer" to next year's "main course."

[bcoach]

It is funny how our opinions change. Just a couple of years ago we were talking about how the top ( you fill in the number so we don't have to argue) of FCS was just as good or better than the bottom ( you fill in the number for the same reason as above ) of FBS. Now? Not so much. What I don't understand is why every conversation about football has to turn into this FCS/FBS crap. Our future schedules have nothing to do with our past schedules. We are in a different conference. This years schedule sucks but that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the SOCON. Next years will be better. Anyone who thinks that the SB is a strong conference right now just does not want to face reality. BUT that has NOTHING to do with the SOCON. I truly believe that GS and APP will improve that situation and that STILL has nothing to do with the SOCON. Those that don't like the move ( and I am one of them) need to stop. It is over. Those that are in favor of the move need to stop. It is over. Both sides should agree that this is not where we wanted to be. The fact is, that we are here. Every single thing that is said can't turn into a FCS/FBS thing or this program is going to suffer.
STOP POKING THE DAMN BEAR OR HE IS GOING TO MAUL YOUR A$$.

This is the only spot where I can find disagreement. For those of us that don't share your opinion (it's not a fact) that this year's schedule "sucks," we only have App's previous schedules to compare it to. I am much more excited about the schedule this year that last year's. I also never claimed that last year's schedule "sucked." I think 2014's schedule > 2013's schedule. Therefore, I see no issue.

I don't get why comparing this year's schedules to App's previous schedules is wrong. I also don't understand the mentality that this year's schedule "sucks." Sounds more like sour grapes than anything.

Well you are correct about my schedule sucking statement. Let me correct my statement. In "my opinion" the schedule sucks. I don't know what my grapes could be souring about though. There may be people who love it or at least like it and that is fine with me. The reason that I can't compare it to last year is that I just don't see any relevance. Last year was a FCS schedule and this year is an FBS schedule. I only see this years schedule as an FBS lineup and to me Liberty and Campbell just don't fit that very well. 2015 looks much more like an FBS schedule to me. That does not make it a fact as you say, just my opinion. In my rearview mirror FCS has become a dot way back in the distance.

That's fine, thanks for clarifying your statement. I have no problem that we disagree, and I don't suspect that one could convince the other. My apologies for assuming you had sour grapes. That statement was based on my recollection of you not being happy about the move to the SBC. That's what I get for assuming.

That's ok. There is a lot of assuming on here we all do it. You are correct that I have never been in favor of the move but that is history. That is why I just don't compare anything we did in the past with what we will do in the future. It was great but it is over. Maybe a glance in the rearview every so often but I am concentrating on the windshield. Sour grapes ruin the wine.

[Maddog1956]

I just laugh at some of the posters on here who obviously weren't around long enough to remember the epic battles we had with Furman and Southern in the SoCon over the years. Not to mention the amazing playoff games we had. Wins and loses.

Yeah we did have a good games with Furman. In 2005 they beat us 34-31, then in 2006 we blew them away 40-7, not such a good game. The same year we blew away Mars Hill 41-0, not such a good game. In 2007 against Western we were 79-35, not such a good game. (By good game I mean competition wise.)

Against Southern we had good games also, I thought they were the only team that year in and year out was competition, but they're not in the SoCon any more! If we have more good games with them they'll have to be in the SB.

I hear what you're saying, there was good games, but mainly with the SoCon of old. I don't think gaining a Merer is equal to losing a GS for example.

[Appftw]

The point I was trying to illustrate besides the fact that this years home schedule is nothing to get excited over at all, is that it's going to take time to establish rivalries etc. I know we are in a weird transition period and while i will embrace the change and root for App no matter who they play. I just laugh at some of the posters on here who obviously weren't around long enough to remember the epic battles we had with Furman and Southern in the SoCon over the years. Not to mention the amazing playoff games we had. Wins and loses. I know we are moving to better things eventually, but I still have much respect for where we came from and the opponents we played. Not really sure why people get so riled up about that, because when you do, you diminish all we have accomplished as a program, the players, coaches and fans. Secondly, it sorta just makes you look like you don't know all that much about football. The SunBelt is absolutely better than the So Con now, but I would argue several years ago, the So Con was pretty damn tough. Alot of teams in the SunBelt are not world beaters either. East Hall illustrated that point very well.

So you're mad at people bad mouthing where we came from, while simultaneously bad mouthing where we're going? TrollApp is a Troll.

[Saint3333]

Who would trade this schedule for ours next year:

@GT
Jacksonville U.
North Greenvlle
@ G-Webb
Citadel
@WCU
@Samford
VMI
@UTC
@Furman
Mercer

We really don't have much to complain about.

[WVAPPeer]

I really believe what some are saying is, that when the SoCon was the top of the 1-AA world we usually had 4-5 teams always appearing in the top 20 - most games were important for SC standings as well as national - it made for strong rival games - GSU, FU, WC, and even Elon for a couple of years --- Those days are gone and I don't think there is anyone on here who would want to go back to today's SoCon - BUT - I'm here to say those were exciting times, important games, and days I will always remember --- We are in another era now and we need to strive to embrace it
---

[Maddog1956]

I really believe what some are saying is, that when the SoCon was the top of the 1-AA world we usually had 4-5 teams always appearing in the top 20 - most games were important for SC standings as well as national - it made for strong rival games - GSU, FU, WC, and even Elon for a couple of years --- Those days are gone and I don't think there is anyone on here who would want to go back to today's SoCon - BUT - I'm here to say those were exciting times, important games, and days I will always remember --- We are in another era now and we need to strive to embrace it
---

Well said!

[asutrnr81]

Who would trade this schedule for ours next year:

@GT
Jacksonville U.
North Greenvlle
@ G-Webb
Citadel
@WCU
@Samford
VMI
@UTC
@Furman
Mercer

We really don't have much to complain about.

zactly!

[Gonzo]

We really don't have much to complain about.

Well it's the off season, so this kind of stuff happens. Plus, some people are still mad about the FBS move. Not necessarily from a practical standpoint, but they just don't like to lose.

Reminds me of how loyalists must have felt after America won its independence.

[bcoach]

We really don't have much to complain about.

Well it's the off season, so this kind of stuff happens. Plus, some people are still mad about the FBS move. Not necessarily from a practical standpoint, but they just don't like to lose.

Reminds me of how loyalists must have felt after America won its independence.

Reminds me of how a losing attorney feels even when he knows his client was guilty.

[Rekdiver]

"If it doesnt fit......you must move up""""

[AtlAppMan]

I really enjoyed my high school days, rivalries, games, etc. but I moved on and went to college. I can appreciate all of those experiences of the past and understand that you do not stay there forever, nor do I want to. Things change and you grow and enjoy new experiences in the process.

ASU has had a great history during its SOCON years, great rivalries, games, national achievements, and I have had the pleasure of enjoying most of them. The fact is the college football landscape is an ever changing environment and Appalachian is a growing university. Both of these FACTS mean we have to adapt to this change and embrace it. The SOCON is not the same as it has been at times in our history and unfortunately is actually losing stature in the overall NCAA world. The SOCON is going down and we are going up. That means we had to make a decision to part ways. The SOCON will soon be a distance memory in our past, not to be forgotten but to be appreciated for its time and place in our history.

The Sun Belt is a new opportunity for us for the future. Many of us, me included were disappointed that we didn't get into the CUSA as we knew it 4 yrs ago when ECU, Houston, etc. lived there. However, CUSA is also not what it was 4 yrs ago. The next 5-10 yrs may result in the SB becoming the more desirable location for us than the current CUSA. Only time will tell.

[Seattleapp]

I really appreciated the level headed responses to my posts. Makes me feel better about liking where we were and lookin at where we are going.

[Maddog1956]

I really appreciated the level headed responses to my posts. Makes me feel better about liking where we were and lookin at where we are going.

Heck I still wish you found room to play Western every year for the Jug, even with everyone on here hating them.

[AppAttack]

Good grief for every Michigan or ULL or Ark St, we need to have a Campbell & a Liberty. The wins have to come from somewhere in the early years of our transition.

[WVAPPeer]

I really appreciated the level headed responses to my posts. Makes me feel better about liking where we were and lookin at where we are going.

Heck I still wish you found room to play Western every year for the Jug, even with everyone on here hating them.

Yeah - I agree - and always play at KBS --- I believe that 2 of the top 5 attendance record games were against WCU and wasn't last years game the highest attendance for a home game? ---

rather play them than say Campbell ---

[Saint3333]

Their fans would revolt if they signed a money game with us. Unless the P5 members ban scheduling FCS opponents WCU will not be coming to Boone.

[T-Dog]

In FCS, they only have 11 games and 12 when the calendar allows it. 2012 and 2013 were both 12-game years, but there's not another one for at least three years. With 8 conference games, the desire to play an FBS teams every year and the admin's promise of 6 home games a year, it means paying two teams to come to Boone either without return trips or one when the calendar allows in the future. So it would have meant more of the low-level FCS teams that would take a payday.

In FBS, there will always be 12 games in a year and allow for more creative scheduling.

[Maddog1956]

I really appreciated the level headed responses to my posts. Makes me feel better about liking where we were and lookin at where we are going.

Heck I still wish you found room to play Western every year for the Jug, even with everyone on here hating them.

Yeah - I agree - and always play at KBS --- I believe that 2 of the top 5 attendance record games were against WCU and wasn't last years game the highest attendance for a home game? ---

rather play them than say Campbell ---

It was the second highest according to wiki, but giving how cold it was that was still high. Normally year in and year out it's one of the top attended. Plus "the jug" is our "original".

Just don't say it too loud on here, everyone thinks all our extra home games will be filled with ECU and Auburn.