Maine at App State Game Thread

[dbackjon]

CAA vs Southern tilt.

Can App keep the quarterfinal streak alive?

[SpeedkingATL]

Looking at the stats, these teams are almost mirror images of each other in points scored, points against, TD's by ground and air; this should be a really good football game with home field and Apps playoff experience as the only advantages. Go Apps.

[Aho Old Guy]

It looks like half the Maine roster (hillbilly hyperbole) comes from New Jersey. Does the Maine coaching staff have significant roots to the area ??

Appalachian is the same with north Georgia -- but it is one that has simply evolved over time.

[pantherclaw]

Appy-28 Maine-25 Go APPY STATE(can't believe I jsut said that) Question for the appstaters how does this team stack up against your championship teams?

[ASUG8]

Appy-28 Maine-25 Go APPY STATE(can't believe I jsut said that) Question for the appstaters how does this team stack up against your championship teams?

Not as well on a consistent basis. We're young, we've lost a lot of our experienced coaching staff due to the success of those years, and it shows in the playcalling IMO. If we put together a string of games like we did against GSU I like our chances - unfortunately, we've seen quite a rollercoaster effort this season. One positive is that goasu.com reports we're as healthy right now as we've been in a while, but I expect Maine will benefit from the bye as well. Should be a good one this week.

[SpeedkingATL]

Appy-28 Maine-25 Go APPY STATE(can't believe I jsut said that) Question for the appstaters how does this team stack up against your championship teams?

This team has not shown the "video game" scoring ability of many of the past teams and hasn't been able to run the ball consistantly because of a young offensive line. The coaching staff appears to have finally stopped trying to force the running game and just get the ball to the playmakers of which App has many. The defense has gotten better and better as the year has progressed and could be a big factor in the playoffs. Team has not performed well on the road and that is a concern as with no seed this year there may be only one home game assuming App advances.

[proasu89]

Appy-28 Maine-25 Go APPY STATE(can't believe I jsut said that) Question for the appstaters how does this team stack up against your championship teams?

Deep down you know it felt good to say that. Go ahead and let your inner Yosef out. Your significant other will thank you!

[GoApps70]

Appy-28 Maine-25 Go APPY STATE(can't believe I jsut said that) Question for the appstaters how does this team stack up against your championship teams?

Deep down you know it felt good to say that. Go ahead and let your inner Yosef out. Your significant other will thank you!

Allright, letting my inner Yosef out, yeah, OK, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. My inner Yosef has a lot of respect for Maine. Predict we decimate, crush, kill, victimize, terrorise, annihilate them by up to 8 points. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Mvemjsunpx]

Most everything about these teams screams "solid, but unremarkable." Neither one is really on a roll, either, so I'll just take the Mountaineers at home.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Appalachian St.
      
      Running Backs - (push)
      
      Receivers/TEs - Appalachian St.
      
      Offensive Line - Appalachian St.
      
      
      Defensive Line - Maine
      
      Linebackers --- Appalachian St.
      
      Secondary ---- Maine
      
      
      Kicking ------ Appalachian St.
      
      Punting ------ Maine
      
      Return Teams - Appalachian St.
      
      Kickoffs ------ Appalachian St.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Maine 27-35 Appalachian St.

[pantherclaw]

Appy-28 Maine-25 Go APPY STATE(can't believe I jsut said that) Question for the appstaters how does this team stack up against your championship teams?

Deep down you know it felt good to say that. Go ahead and let your inner Yosef out. Your significant other will thank you!

Sad thing is I can hardly get my significant other to get interested in Panther football, let alone what the rest of the FCS. At least her father is into FCS football. Ahhh life.

[Aho Old Guy]

Most everything about these teams screams "solid, but unremarkable." Neither one is really on a roll, either, so I'll just take the Mountaineers at home.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Appalachian St.
      Running Backs - (push)
      Receivers/TEs - Appalachian St.
      Offensive Line - Appalachian St.
      Defensive Line - Maine
      Linebackers --- Appalachian St.
      Secondary ---- Maine
      Kicking ------ Appalachian St.
      Punting ------ Maine
      Return Teams - Appalachian St.
      Kickoffs ------ Appalachian St.
      
      • • Maine 27-35 Appalachian St.

If you rate Appalachian's OL above the Bears, Maine must have a really bad OL

It's not that ASU has a bad OL - there is a nice mix of youth, experience and skill. The issue is I don't believe we have started the same bunch this year for 2 successive weeks - the 'core' does not have tremendous experience together. The good news is Ruff should play.

It's the opposite for the DL - I believe Appalachian has a great rotation (now), and I think most App fans expect big things from the DL/front7 if we are going to make a run this year.

And you should probably add a section for 'Intangibles.' Appalachian has been a soap opera this year - 'Team Turmoil' is more like it. The ship has been 'righted' but I sometimes wonder if Jekyll or Hyde will show up from week-to-week.

[SpeedkingATL]

Most everything about these teams screams "solid, but unremarkable." Neither one is really on a roll, either, so I'll just take the Mountaineers at home.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Appalachian St.
      Running Backs - (push)
      Receivers/TEs - Appalachian St.
      Offensive Line - Appalachian St.
      Defensive Line - Maine
      Linebackers --- Appalachian St.
      Secondary ---- Maine
      Kicking ------ Appalachian St.
      Punting ------ Maine
      Return Teams - Appalachian St.
      Kickoffs ------ Appalachian St.
      
      • • Maine 27-35 Appalachian St.

If you rate Appalachian's OL above the Bears, Maine must have a really bad OL

It's not that ASU has a bad OL - there is a nice mix of youth, experience and skill. The issue is I don't believe we have started the same bunch this year for 2 successive weeks - the 'core' does not have tremendous experience together. The good news is Ruff should play.

It's the opposite for the DL - I believe Appalachian has a great rotation (now), and I think most App fans expect big things from the DL/front7 if we are going to make a run this year.

And you should probably add a section for 'Intangibles.' Appalachian has been a soap opera this year - 'Team Turmoil' is more like it. The ship has been 'righted' but I sometimes wonder if Jekyll or Hyde will show up from week-to-week.

Sure hope the good part of "Team Sybil" shows up on Saturday. Totally agree of your accessment of the OL and DL situation. The DL has been real solid the second half of the season. The OL has improved but won't knock anyone off the ball; that makes the play calling to take advantage of what they do well critical...and that's not the dive play on every first down.

[AZGrizFan]

Sure hope the good part of "Team Sybil" shows up on Saturday. Totally agree of your accessment of the OL and DL situation. The DL has been real solid the second half of the season. The OL has improved but won't knock anyone off the ball; that makes the play calling to take advantage of what they do well critical...and that's not the dive play on every first down.

That's some funny shit right there.

[Mvemjsunpx]

If you rate Appalachian's OL above the Bears, Maine must have a really bad OL

It's not that ASU has a bad OL - there is a nice mix of youth, experience and skill. The issue is I don't believe we have started the same bunch this year for 2 successive weeks - the 'core' does not have tremendous experience together. The good news is Ruff should play.

It's the opposite for the DL - I believe Appalachian has a great rotation (now), and I think most App fans expect big things from the DL/front7 if we are going to make a run this year.

And you should probably add a section for 'Intangibles.' Appalachian has been a soap opera this year - 'Team Turmoil' is more like it. The ship has been 'righted' but I sometimes wonder if Jekyll or Hyde will show up from week-to-week.

App has better ypc and sack % allowed numbers than Maine. Also, Maine's running back averages 4.9 ypc while the team overall averages just 3.7.

I thought the DLine comparison was close, but I gave it to Maine because they rely on their DLine to get sacks more than App does (App gets more sacks from their LBs than Maine).

Various "intangible" aspects factor into my decision (home field, how they've played lately, etc.), I just don't do a specific comparison section for them.

[ASU Mike]

ASU has had such strong offensive lines over the last half decade that most teams outside of our conference that do not see us play likely assume it is strong again. We are not terrible up front but very inconsistent. We've had injuries and 2 linemen (including our starting left tackle) leave the team during the season.

Having Matt Ruff back will have our right side anchored with him and Orry Frye but the left side is still a concern. Maine will likely attack our youth on the left side and I hope we are up for the challenge.

[Skjellyfetti]

I thought the DLine comparison was close, but I gave it to Maine because they rely on their DLine to get sacks more than App does (App gets more sacks from their LBs than Maine).

It's tough to compare that stat since we run a multiple 3-4. John Rizor is listed as a LB, but I believe the majority of his sacks have come when he has lined as a DE.

Also, our rush defense is just slightly better... but, we had to play the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rushing offenses in FCS since we play in the ToCon.

[Pwns]

Also, our rush defense is just slightly better... but, we had to play the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rushing offenses in FCS since we play in the ToCon.

[proasu89]

Not as well on a consistent basis. We're young, we've lost a lot of our experienced coaching staff due to the success of those years, and it shows in the playcalling IMO. If we put together a string of games like we did against GSU I like our chances - unfortunately, we've seen quite a rollercoaster effort this season. One positive is that goasu.com reports we're as healthy right now as we've been in a while, but I expect Maine will benefit from the bye as well. Should be a good one this week.

Yeah.. Those years of success really had affect us.. Some results to good but it can't be avoided that it will also bring some bad results like losing the staffs.. We still need to exert more effort if we want to have good chances.. If we are really as good as before we might get this one..

Tell me about it. I HATE when we lose the staffs, and hells yes to exert more effort to have good chances. You nailed that post

[Skjellyfetti]

2:00 on is fucking awesome. Got me JACKED.

[youtube][/youtube]

[CAA Flagship]

Bobby Wilder and the rest of Monarch Nation says:

GO MAINE

[Gil Dobie]

Going with the home team, App St 38, Maine 35

[Aho Old Guy]

As long as TOCon doesn't stand for Turn-Over

Turnovers Gained
Appalachian . . . 24
Ga. Southern. . . 19
Wofford . . . . . . 16
Maine. . . . . . . . 26
OD. . . . . . . . . . 26
UNI . . . . . . . . . 27

Turnovers Lost
Appalachian . . . 17
Ga. Southern. . . 15
Wofford . . . . . . 15
Maine. . . . . . . . 17
OD. . . . . . . . . . 14
UNI . . . . . . . . . 12

Turnover Margin
Appalachian . . . (+.45)
Ga. Southern. . . (+.36)
Wofford . . . . . . (+.09)
Maine. . . . . . . . (+.82)
OD. . . . . . . . . . (+1.0)
UNI . . . . . . . . . (+1.36)


Protect the ball = Good day for the SoCon !!

Today's opposition feeds off the 'other' T-O

[biobengal]

WOW!!!

Maine hasn't layed the wood to ANYONE like that all year.

D was absolutely dominant.

[CAA Flagship]

Paging Maine fans. This is your chance to gloat.



GO MAYNE

[CAA Flagship]

What's it take to find a Maine fan? Geesh.