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Dolgevillefootballfan
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App. State
Preview segment: The Appalachian State Mountaineers
Last season: This school from Boone, North Carolina continues to be "hot, hot, hot" as 2018 was another banner year. With Zac Thomas and many others emerging, the Mountaineers stormed to an 11-2 record that included another Sun Belt championship, another bowl win, and their 1st-ever ranking in the polls.
But in the offseason, it finally happened: Somebody snatched up coach Scott Satterfield, and he's now at Louisville. Yet despite having a new head man, App. State are still harboring big dreams.
Good news: A veteran roster should help new head coach Eliah Drinkwitz get situated, as people like Zac Thomas and Darrynton Evans are back. 6 starters return to a defense that ranked 6th in total defense last year, including 2 powerful linebackers.
Bad news: The secondary could be a concern, as it must replace 2 of it's top corners. Depth might also be an issue.
Key games:
9/21 @ North Carolina (These 2 in-state schools have met only once before, way back in 1940. This will be a MONSTER game for the Mountaineers in terms of program pride.)
10/9 @ UL-Lafayette (Careful, App. State! Yes, you defeated the Cajuns twice last season, but both of those games took place in Boone. Let's see how you perform in Lafayette, with the Cajuns ready to go.)
10/31 vs. Georgia Southern (App. State's stay in the Top 25 last year only lasted 1 week. And guess who knocked them out of the polls? Yep, the rival Eagles.)
11/9 @ South Carolina (Another huge game for the Mountaineers in their region, but I think the Gamecocks will be a LOT harder team to topple than the Tar Heels.)
11/29 @ Troy (Ooooo! Now the Sun Belt is throwing their name into the "Black Friday" hat with this great-looking contest. The East could once again be decided here.)
Bottom line: When I first looked at App. State in 2019, I was tempted to make them my favorite to get the "Group Of Five" spot in the "New Year's Six" bowls, as they'll be welcoming back a ton of production. But most of their hard games are on the road, and this is Eliah Drinkwitz's 1st time being a head coach.
Despite those worries, the Mountaineers will still be the favorite to win the Sun Belt once again... IF they can get past Troy and Georgia Southern again.
Preview segment: The Appalachian State Mountaineers
Last season: This school from Boone, North Carolina continues to be "hot, hot, hot" as 2018 was another banner year. With Zac Thomas and many others emerging, the Mountaineers stormed to an 11-2 record that included another Sun Belt championship, another bowl win, and their 1st-ever ranking in the polls.
But in the offseason, it finally happened: Somebody snatched up coach Scott Satterfield, and he's now at Louisville. Yet despite having a new head man, App. State are still harboring big dreams.
Good news: A veteran roster should help new head coach Eliah Drinkwitz get situated, as people like Zac Thomas and Darrynton Evans are back. 6 starters return to a defense that ranked 6th in total defense last year, including 2 powerful linebackers.
Bad news: The secondary could be a concern, as it must replace 2 of it's top corners. Depth might also be an issue.
Key games:
9/21 @ North Carolina (These 2 in-state schools have met only once before, way back in 1940. This will be a MONSTER game for the Mountaineers in terms of program pride.)
10/9 @ UL-Lafayette (Careful, App. State! Yes, you defeated the Cajuns twice last season, but both of those games took place in Boone. Let's see how you perform in Lafayette, with the Cajuns ready to go.)
10/31 vs. Georgia Southern (App. State's stay in the Top 25 last year only lasted 1 week. And guess who knocked them out of the polls? Yep, the rival Eagles.)
11/9 @ South Carolina (Another huge game for the Mountaineers in their region, but I think the Gamecocks will be a LOT harder team to topple than the Tar Heels.)
11/29 @ Troy (Ooooo! Now the Sun Belt is throwing their name into the "Black Friday" hat with this great-looking contest. The East could once again be decided here.)
Bottom line: When I first looked at App. State in 2019, I was tempted to make them my favorite to get the "Group Of Five" spot in the "New Year's Six" bowls, as they'll be welcoming back a ton of production. But most of their hard games are on the road, and this is Eliah Drinkwitz's 1st time being a head coach.
Despite those worries, the Mountaineers will still be the favorite to win the Sun Belt once again... IF they can get past Troy and Georgia Southern again.