From here until the season is over, every game is a battle. In seasons past, Appalachian would have a game or two on the schedule where a win seemed more likely than not, but that was not the case in 2012. Each week has already been a battle. The Mountaineers went at it for eleven straight weeks without a break. One can argue that the Coastal Carolina game was one of those easier games, but the Chanticleers are also in the playoffs. Montana and East Carolina provided tough tests early on in the season, and the Southern Conference was as strong as it has been in recent memory. Luckily for Appalachian, a three week break between their final regular season game and their first playoff game has provided some much needed rest. Illinois State played perhaps their toughest opponent on their schedule in their final game of the season against North Dakota State and sat on pins and needles the following day waiting to learn their playoff fate. Appalachian was all but a sure bet to make the playoffs. For Illinois State, this is their first playoff appearance since 2006 while the Mountaineers are in the postseason for the eighth straight year. However, don’t read into this Illinois State team as one that is just happy to be here. They set goals to win all their road games and did just that. It will have been four weeks since Illinois State last played a road game when foot hits leather on Saturday. Can the Redbirds maintain the road momentum?

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Thanks BigC.

Hope I'm wrong, but now not sure our OL can hold up against their DL and JJ still may be too hobbled to run/escape. Along with our D's tendancy to give up big plays and can't get QB pressure against their big OL.

ISU - 38
App - 24

Thanks BigC.

APP -35
Ill St -27

Very hopefully not the last N.P. of the season.

Miller might be the key to this game, catching the ball out of the backfield, I dont think ISU has seen a back this good at catching and running for big yds in the open field. I hope that SS is talking to JJ, that when Price, Peacock are not open, find Miller!! If App can speed up the game, and keep the time of possession close, App 38 ISU 24, if ISU dominates the lines and time of possession... I'm afraid that we will be in big trouble.

APP 35
GORED BIRDS 34

Apps last couple playoff games at KBS have been disasters, as noted by TSN folks. If it was either nepotism, The Committee, or whatever App surely did stink the place up. But, this is another year and era. After the poor playoff performance the last couple years and the departure of The Committee, etc., I think the Apps are ready to make amends and come out swinging. Thus:

App 34

ISU 31

Apps 40-30

APPS 23
Normal Ill 17

ASU 17
ISU - 14

MEN WITH LONG GUNS 42 flatland birdies 21

Appalachian State 31
Illinois State 28

I did a full write-up, stop in and check it out if you can:
http://appstatecentral.com/content/mike ... e-redbirds

Go App!

This game will be decided by attitude. It will depend on whether Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde shows up...Hopefully we are healed up and we show no signs of rust. We show up well prepared with the attitude that we want to be there and we are focused and fast. Sorry for hedging my bets... but,

If Dr. Jekyll shows up:
Jerry Moores Longrifles 35
Redbirds taste like chicken 28

If Mr. Hyde shows up:
Jerry Moores Longrifles 31
Redbirds taste like chicken 35

APP 24
ILL sT 14

There is cold midwest weather and then THERE IS COLD MOUNTAIN WEATHER - it will make a difference.

App-a-latch-in: 31
The Gored Birds: 24

Attendance: 19,392, but louder than the 30k plus that come to homecoming games.

huskie3 wrote:APP 24
ILL sT 14

There is cold midwest weather and then THERE IS COLD MOUNTAIN WEATHER - it will make a difference.

I don't see the cold being an issue for Saturday. The forecast for Saturday is mostly cloudy but 53 degrees. Some of those MVC teams, have domed fields, but I don't think Illinois State is one of them. They'll be more than acclimated to cool temps even if the temperature drops at the end of the game.

For the record, the coldest I've ever been was on a trip to Iowa.

App 21
ISu 13

Well played BigC. Let's get it done. ASU has been in a must win situation since the loss to Wooferd so we should be mentally prepared.