#1 & #2 how good are they?

[ChickenMan]

ASU and Delaware are both unbeaten and rated at the top of the FCS.. but I still have questions as to just how good they really are. ASU has looked great of offense.. but they certainly aren't as strong defensively and while UD has been very tough defensively they haven't yet faced a real good offense. ASU best win was over UTC (4-2) and they had to stage a great 4th quarter comeback to get that win. The only other ASU opponent to have a winning record so far this year is Pioneer League foe Jacksonville. As for UD.. what first looked like very impressive wins vs SDSU, JMU and Richmond may now not look quite so good as all of those teams are experiencing subpar seasons. ASU and UD may prove to the class of the FCS.. but I think the jury is still.. however both schools have three critial games left so things should be much more defined come playoff time.

[AshevilleApp]

ASU and Delaware are both unbeaten and rated at the top of the FCS.. but I still have questions as to just how good they really are. ASU has looked great of offense.. but they certainly aren't as strong defensively and while UD has been very tough defensively they haven't yet faced a real good offense. ASU best win was over UTC (4-2) and they had to stage a great 4th quarter comeback to get that win. The only other ASU opponent to have a winning record so far this year is Pioneer League foe Jacksonville. As for UD.. what first looked like very impressive wins vs SDSU, JMU and Richmond may now not look quite so good as all of those teams are experiencing subpar seasons. ASU and UD may prove to the class of the FCS.. but I think the jury is still.. however both schools have three critial games left so things should be much more defined come playoff time.

Correct. Can't really add to that.

[Gil Dobie]

Spot on Chickenman, and I would add, is Jacksonville St good enough to compete for the title with these 2.

[93henfan]

Yep. Delaware is just as capable of going 1-3 as 4-0 in the last four games. App State is a little better off, outside the Florida game of course. I could see App going realistically anywhere from 2-2 to 3-1 in its last four.

The saving grace for Delaware is that Devlin should continue to progress with the receivers. We were able to get through most of the early games leaning heavily on AP, then Devlin was injured, and then last week was just not conducive to passing weather-wise. I think the Hens have a ton of points left in them, and it may take that scoring to overcome the mounting injuries on defense. Giving up 17 to URI is not the trend we wanted to see.

[Rob Iola]

Good test for UD this weekend - can Devlin/AP outplay Paulus/Grimes on the road?

This could be a preview of the NC game...

[YoUDeeMan]

Yep. Delaware is just as capable of going 1-3 as 4-0 in the last four games. App State is a little better off, outside the Florida game of course. I could see App going realistically anywhere from 2-2 to 3-1 in its last four.

The saving grace for Delaware is that Devlin should continue to progress with the receivers. We were able to get through most of the early games leaning heavily on AP, then Devlin was injured, and then last week was just not conducive to passing weather-wise. I think the Hens have a ton of points left in them, and it may take that scoring to overcome the mounting injuries on defense. Giving up 17 to URI is not the trend we wanted to see.

7 of those points were on a kick return for a TD and three points were from a 27-yard drive after a muffed punt.

In reality, URI only drove for one TD.

Morales (DE) is back this weekend...he gives us a good motor with size and speed off the end. VERY happy about him coming back. That will help us get some pressure on Paulus. Walters is also back.

Anyone hear if Titre will be playing?

[GtFllsGriz]

That is a good question and I think it applies to most of the top 20 teams. There does not seem to be any team without question marks, inconsistency and injuries. This season seems much more wide open then in years past. The second half of the season is going to be very interesting for everyone.

[bluehenbillk]

Yep. Delaware is just as capable of going 1-3 as 4-0 in the last four games. App State is a little better off, outside the Florida game of course. I could see App going realistically anywhere from 2-2 to 3-1 in its last four.

The saving grace for Delaware is that Devlin should continue to progress with the receivers. We were able to get through most of the early games leaning heavily on AP, then Devlin was injured, and then last week was just not conducive to passing weather-wise. I think the Hens have a ton of points left in them, and it may take that scoring to overcome the mounting injuries on defense. Giving up 17 to URI is not the trend we wanted to see.

7 of those points were on a kick return for a TD and three points were from a 27-yard drive after a muffed punt.

In reality, URI only drove for one TD.

Morales (DE) is back this weekend...he gives us a good motor with size and speed off the end. VERY happy about him coming back. That will help us get some pressure on Paulus. Walters is also back.

Anyone hear if Titre will be playing?

I'd be surprised to see Titre with the leg issues he has.

[ASUG8]

The ASU offense has been interesting this season - the usual suspects like Devon Moore RB, Coco Hillary WR, and Brian Quick WR (until recently) have been somewhat silent but we're doing a RB by commitee approach. Presley at QB has been a welcome sight as he's truly another dual threat QB in the mold of AE. We're spreading the ball around a lot more and play with a quiet confidence even when we've been behind.

Clearly, our D needs to step it up a bit - we seem to deal with the run reasonably well (which is great because we're going to see a lot of triple option play in the coming weeks) and can force turnovers with sporatic pressure on the QB. I like what I see right now, but we have some tests coming up from Halloween through the Florida game (Wofford, @GSU, Furman).

[BDKJMU]

UD and ASU are unbeaten, they also haven't played a I-A, much less a BCS. There are 3 other teams that should be mentioned with UD and ASU, as they are also unbeaten vs I-AA:
1. Jax 6-0 (+ a BCS win)
2. Wofford 4-0 (+ a Div II win & I-A loss)
3. SFA 4-0 (+ a Div II win (does Lamar count as Div II? and a BCS loss)

We'll find out about Wofford & ASU come Nov 13.

[AppStateAlumQC]

The ASU offense has been interesting this season - the usual suspects like Devon Moore RB, Coco Hillary WR, and Brian Quick WR (until recently) have been somewhat silent but we're doing a RB by commitee approach. Presley at QB has been a welcome sight as he's truly another dual threat QB in the mold of AE. We're spreading the ball around a lot more and play with a quiet confidence even when we've been behind.

Clearly, our D needs to step it up a bit - we seem to deal with the run reasonably well (which is great because we're going to see a lot of triple option play in the coming weeks) and can force turnovers with sporatic pressure on the QB. I like what I see right now, but we have some tests coming up from Halloween through the Florida game (Wofford, @GSU, Furman).

Big stretch here for App as the defense will really be tested. I'm more worried about playing Georgia Southern in Statesboro than I am with Wofford at home. I think ASU will run the table in the SoCon and go to Florida ready to play. If App doesn't have to leave the The Rock during the playoffs, I like our chances to make a very deep run.

[clenz]

Unless Florida gets their shit together, and quick, App State could pull the shocker there.


Florida has NO offense

[Aho Old Guy]

Unless Florida gets their **** together, and quick, App State could pull the shocker there.


Florida has NO offense

Thanks, BUT ...

not even the most ardent Appalachian fans are that crazy.

As far as the OP, ASU has a decent mix of youth, experience, talent and football IQ. Their roster may well be the most talented they have ever had -- bar none. How it comes together remains to be seen.

[clenz]

Unless Florida gets their **** together, and quick, App State could pull the shocker there.


Florida has NO offense

Thanks, BUT ...

not even the most ardent Appalachian fans are that crazy.

As far as the OP, ASU has a decent mix of youth, experience, talent and football IQ. Their roster may well be the most talented they have ever had -- bar none. How it comes together remains to be seen.

Oh, I wasn't saying I'd put money on ASU to win...or even cover a medium size spread.
I am saying, however, this Florida team isn't as good as advertised and has no offense, giving ASU a "decent" shot to pull an upset

[Aho Old Guy]

Thanks, BUT ...

not even the most ardent Appalachian fans are that crazy.

As far as the OP, ASU has a decent mix of youth, experience, talent and football IQ. Their roster may well be the most talented they have ever had -- bar none. How it comes together remains to be seen.

Oh, I wasn't saying I'd put money on ASU to win...or even cover a medium size spread.
I am saying, however, this Florida team isn't as good as advertised and has no offense, giving ASU a "decent" shot to pull an upset

The best thing Appalachian has going for them against UFla is the previous week the Gators will be playing USC (most likely for a trip to the SEC championship game), and the following week the Gators are off to Tallahassee to play Free Shoes University.

The Mountaineers have no realistic chance in The Swamp; that's not to say they will shy away from the big stage. UFla will know they have been in a football game, and if the Gators screw it up, YES, Appalachian can make it interesting and exciting.

Urban Meyer may have to double his medication

[billsheets]

As a 40 year member of the blue hen nation I think that talent wise this years team is as good as we've had, at least on par with the 1979 and 2003 teams that we're the best teams in school history in my opinion. I can't ever remember our defense giving up only 56 points thru 7 games before. That blows me away. Our offense has been unworthy of our defense so far. I was at the maine game and we should have scored 50 easy that day. Dropped passes were to blame that day. Don't know about some of the other games. Pierce has been awesome. So what is it? Playcalling? Maybe someone else can clue me in. Can't and won't complain about being 7-0 however. As for appy, the games I've watched pressley has been like lsuperman for them. Where do you find these guys? The most fun game I've seen this year was the appy-chattanooga shootout. I'll say right now that I saw equal talent on the field that day. The difference in that game was big game experience. LikThe mountaineers never paniced when they were down big, and the mocs did'nt know how to finish because they had never been in a big game situation

[billsheets]

Sorry about rambling on, but to finish up yes, appy is very good again but I think they are extremely happy to have utc in the rearview.tough stretch ahead for both ud and appy. We'll have to see how these next 4 weeks work themselves out . Best of luck to both teams.

[Grizo406]

As for this thread's title, I'd say A WHOLE LOT BETTER than #7!

Go Griz!!

[BDKJMU]

As a 40 year member of the blue hen nation I think that talent wise this years team is as good as we've had, at least on par with the 1979 and 2003 teams that we're the best teams in school history in my opinion. I can't ever remember our defense giving up only 56 points thru 7 games before. That blows me away. Our offense has been unworthy of our defense so far. I was at the maine game and we should have scored 50 easy that day. Dropped passes were to blame that day. Don't know about some of the other games. Pierce has been awesome. So what is it? Playcalling? Maybe someone else can clue me in. Can't and won't complain about being 7-0 however. As for appy, the games I've watched pressley has been like lsuperman for them. Where do you find these guys? The most fun game I've seen this year was the appy-chattanooga shootout. I'll say right now that I saw equal talent on the field that day. The difference in that game was big game experience. LikThe mountaineers never paniced when they were down big, and the mocs did'nt know how to finish because they had never been in a big game situation

But you'd have to balance that with the most years UD has played a I-A in their 1st 7 games or at least a tougher OOC. This year UD OOC was 2 cupcakes and a weak 2-4 SDSU where UD only gave up 9 points which has kind of skewed the stats.

The question to ask would be has UD's defense ever given up only 47 through their 1st 4 CAA/A-10/Yankee games? (Granted, still very impressive).

[Pwns]

I'll say this much...GSU and Wofford are probably both going to give App the best games they have given all year. And if App beats GSU in Statesboro and beats Wofford (who is a legit top-10 IYAM) then I think it's number 4 for Moore.

Of course, I have a hard time seeing App. State win both of those games on back-to-back weeks. Going to be very tough for them.

[ASUG8]

I'll say this much...GSU and Wofford are probably both going to give App the best games they have given all year. And if App beats GSU in Statesboro and beats Wofford (who is a legit top-10 IYAM) then I think it's number 4 for Moore.

Of course, I have a hard time seeing App. State win both of those games on back-to-back weeks. Going to be very tough for them.

+1
I don't think we'll see a repeat of the WoCo meltdown in Boone from a couple of yrs ago. Also add that Statesboro has to be a top 5 hostile venue in FCS, especially toward App. I don't expect that to be the genteel welcome we received at Samford......

Still, if we can hold on and only lose 1 of those conference games I like our chances in the playoffs.

Not to put the cart before the horse, but ASSUMING that we're playoff eligible why would we risk injury vs. Florida the week before playing our first game? Give them a game for sure, but you have to save your horses for the games that will matter....knocking off what will likely be an unranked Florida team would still be very satisfying, but does you no good in the championship hunt if you hurt your stars.

[AshevilleApp]

I'll say this much...GSU and Wofford are probably both going to give App the best games they have given all year. And if App beats GSU in Statesboro and beats Wofford (who is a legit top-10 IYAM) then I think it's number 4 for Moore.

Of course, I have a hard time seeing App. State win both of those games on back-to-back weeks. Going to be very tough for them.

Agreed. But lets not forget Furman the week before GSU. They appear to be for real as well. Oh, and lets not overlook WCU this weekend. I'd hate to make their season.

[00bluehen]

But you'd have to balance that with the most years UD has played a I-A in their 1st 7 games or at least a tougher OOC.

--The only seasons in the last 20 years where UD's played a I-A in their first 7 games were 1992 and 2008, so that's difficult to balance.

This year UD OOC was 2 cupcakes and a weak 2-4 SDSU where UD only gave up 9 points which has kind of skewed the stats.

SDSU's still "weak?" Last I checked, they scored the exact same amount of points and put up more yardage against Nebraska than UD. They've since beaten 2 previous 1st place teams in the MVFC. If you want to say it was their first game, and they've grown by leaps and bounds since then, that's fair.

The question to ask would be has UD's defense ever given up only 47 through their 1st 4 CAA/A-10/Yankee games? (Granted, still very impressive).

2000 - 28
2001 - 73
2002 - 80
2003 - 76
2004 - 88
2005 - 89
2006 - 102
2007 - 82
2008 - 71
2009 - 90

To reply to billsheets, UD's defense gave up 45 points and had 3 shutouts through the first 7 in 2000.