The Sunbelt championship game will be a meeting between 2 ranked teams and it will get a lot of attention. But App won’t be involved, who would have thunk it?

Painful for ASU but fantastic for the Sunbelt. Maybe the perfect motivation for staff and team for 2021.

And then on the following Monday they can start their coaching search.

Other programs catching up to and even surpassing us is great for the Sun Belt. Lots of folks on this board complained about this "Junk", "Trash Dump" Conference. We can no longer just show up and out athlete other teams. It's time to get back to work and evaluate everything from the playbook to practice regiments to staff and to players.

JMappfan5 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:58 pm

Other programs catching up to and even surpassing us is great for the Sun Belt. Lots of folks on this board complained about this "Junk", "Trash Dump" Conference. We can no longer just show up and out athlete other teams. It's time to get back to work and evaluate everything from the playbook to practice regiments to staff and to players.

I see this sentiment alot, but I don't think it is based in reality. Programs are viewed on their merit. Boise State is respected for what they've done...has nothing to do with the strength of the mountain west conference. Same with USC in the historically mediocre pac 12.

Contrary to some beliefs, this is not good for us. This only brings glory to Coastal. Nobody saw the game tonight and will think 'wow App State is in that conference' in the same way we have been the 5th winningest team in college football over the past 6 years and no one said "wow Coastal is in that conference"

We should not let this happen in our own backyard. We wouldn't be in this spot without Zac Thomas 2 late picks in that game. The coaching staff better take this seriously, because this is not only not good for us, but it better be a wake up call or we will lose our grip on success.

Tatedc wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 11:07 pm

JMappfan5 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:58 pm

Other programs catching up to and even surpassing us is great for the Sun Belt. Lots of folks on this board complained about this "Junk", "Trash Dump" Conference. We can no longer just show up and out athlete other teams. It's time to get back to work and evaluate everything from the playbook to practice regiments to staff and to players.

I see this sentiment alot, but I don't think it is based in reality. Programs are viewed on their merit. Boise State is respected for what they've done...has nothing to do with the strength of the mountain west conference. Same with USC in the historically mediocre pac 12.

Contrary to some beliefs, this is not good for us. This only brings glory to Coastal. Nobody saw the game tonight and will think 'wow App State is in that conference' in the same way we have been the 5th winningest team in college football over the past 6 years and no one said "wow Coastal is in that conference"

We should not let this happen in our own backyard. We wouldn't be in this spot without Zac Thomas 2 late picks in that game. The coaching staff better take this seriously, because this is not only not good for us, but it better be a wake up call or we will lose our grip on success.

It absolutely does help us. The payout difference between finishing as the last conference vs. the top conference and Coastal going to the NY6 is about $12m and we get about $1m of that.

Everyone is already assuming that Cincinnati will get the NY6 if both teams win out simply because of the perception of the AAC being much stronger. In reality, they're very close this year and Coastal has a better resume. Would you want App in that situation in the future?

The problem is app isn’t winning the big games. I’m ready for new blood at quarterback. I know that’s a tough take and many posters want to blame the coaches, but after last night, I want hunger. I want a hungry qb. I want a kicker that wants to make that crucial kick. I hate to admit it, but the success has made us rest on our laurels. Coastal really highlighted that. The defense is fine. There are pieces in the offense that are sorely lacking

appvette wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 11:35 pm

Tatedc wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 11:07 pm

JMappfan5 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:58 pm

Other programs catching up to and even surpassing us is great for the Sun Belt. Lots of folks on this board complained about this "Junk", "Trash Dump" Conference. We can no longer just show up and out athlete other teams. It's time to get back to work and evaluate everything from the playbook to practice regiments to staff and to players.

I see this sentiment alot, but I don't think it is based in reality. Programs are viewed on their merit. Boise State is respected for what they've done...has nothing to do with the strength of the mountain west conference. Same with USC in the historically mediocre pac 12.

Contrary to some beliefs, this is not good for us. This only brings glory to Coastal. Nobody saw the game tonight and will think 'wow App State is in that conference' in the same way we have been the 5th winningest team in college football over the past 6 years and no one said "wow Coastal is in that conference"

We should not let this happen in our own backyard. We wouldn't be in this spot without Zac Thomas 2 late picks in that game. The coaching staff better take this seriously, because this is not only not good for us, but it better be a wake up call or we will lose our grip on success.

It absolutely does help us. The payout difference between finishing as the last conference vs. the top conference and Coastal going to the NY6 is about $12m and we get about $1m of that.

Everyone is already assuming that Cincinnati will get the NY6 if both teams win out simply because of the perception of the AAC being much stronger. In reality, they're very close this year and Coastal has a better resume. Would you want App in that situation in the future?

No I don't think that matches reality. See Western Michigan who made a NY6 bowl a few years ago, despite playing in the worst FBS league. But generally I think the AAC teams get that perception because the teams at the top have all done something. Cincy essentially was a p5 before, as was Houston. UCF had already won a BCS bowl before they recently made a NY6 bowl. I dont think that Tulsa or ECU would be favored for a NY6 birth if they were at 11-1 vs an 11-1 App State team. Because App State is a more well known and proven commodity.

I get the reasoning but I still belive program performance dictates respect. I think UCF, Cincinnati, Boise State, Houston, Marshall, App State, Air Force and BYU will typically have an advantage over other non P5s if they have the same record.

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 05, 2020 11:36 pm

but after last night, I want hunger. I want a hungry qb. I want a kicker that wants to make that crucial kick.

If you don't think ZT is "hungry," I don't know what to tell you. He's about as hungry and driven as they come. But, he can only do so much when it's 3rd and long and the play call is find the one on one matchup and throw it up. Obviously, I know the play call has more reads than that, but thats essentially what we are doing on third and long right now. And we are in 3rd and long more often than previous years because teams stack the box, close the A gap on 1st and 2nd down, and we are SOL.

Also, you think Staton wants to miss? You don't think he gives his all every damn day for the team? There is nobody more upset than Staton!

That said, if we had an OC that knew how to call a game to our strengths, this isn't even a discussion and we are sitting where Costal is right now. Petersen preached over and over he wouldn't change the offense. Clue number one the offense has changed is the multiple 3rd and longs. Clue number two is the multiple shots down the field a game (usually caused by the first clue).

The O line didnt get worse. The receivers didn't get worse. The QB didn't get worse. The play calling got significantly worse.

Did the oc make Thomas lollipop that interception? Or his countless over and under throws? Funny, the Louisiana quarterback was able to make a big throw or big run in the same conditions. I’m over the Blame everyone but Thomas. All season all we’ve done is blame the receivers, the offensive coordinator, everybody but our fifth year quarterback. I’m sure he’s a nice kid but it’s not everyone else’s fault his accuracy and decision making sucks. Just like it’s not the coaches fault Staunton can’t make a crucial field goal. Didn’t he miss the Southerj kick last year as well? Watching coastal do everything well tonight with a freshman quarterback only reinforced my desire to see new desire. I’m over some players going through the motions because they get to wear the block A. At some point execution needs to count for something.

I love ZT , he’s now the third or fourth best QB in the league.Seeing McCall and the others the past few weeks , we’ll its glaring that he is much slower - on his feet and in reading defenses and making decisions.His arm strength isn’t what it was. Is he injured ?

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:12 am

Did the oc make Thomas lollipop that interception? Or his countless over and under throws? Funny, the Louisiana quarterback was able to make a big throw or big run in the same conditions. I’m over the Blame everyone but Thomas. All season all we’ve done is blame the receivers, the offensive coordinator, everybody but our fifth year quarterback. I’m sure he’s a nice kid but it’s not everyone else’s fault his accuracy and decision making sucks. Just like it’s not the coaches fault Staunton can’t make a crucial field goal. Didn’t he miss the Southerj kick last year as well? Watching coastal do everything well tonight with a freshman quarterback only reinforced my desire to see new desire. I’m over some players going through the motions because they get to wear the block A. At some point execution needs to count for something.

I would not say that the QB gets a pass. The defense did not hold Coastal in the second half similar to BYU had difficulty last night. The INT at Coastal that resulted in the CB running it back for a TD....it was 4th and 22. Not sure we have a 4th and 22. He tried to make a play. I was at the coastal game. ZT did not have much time to throw. No. 94 and the other big linemen were in his face or close enough to make him uncomfortable. The interception when we had lead was all on the QB. The TE was wide open. My overall thoughts for the season is that our passing game is predictable. The reason QB threw into what looked like double coverage at Coastal was due to fact that another receiver was in same general area and CB adjusted. I have noticed this in several games where we do not have receivers spaced or running different routes. Actually, the best demonstration of using middle of field I had seen all year was when we tried to come back against UL. A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed highlights of NO Bowl. On several pass plays, we gave look of run/pass option. We always seemed to pass, however, it froze the Lbs and QB threw a dart up the middle to open WR. I have not seen that this year. The INT against UL where QB tried to loft it over DE that read the play was a bad QB decision. I believe that QB play could be better. However, if you have a predictable game plan.. Run on 1st and 2nd down, then pass on 3rd, and pass plays are predictable, the game plan plays into it as well.

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:12 am

Did the oc make Thomas lollipop that interception? Or his countless over and under throws? Funny, the Louisiana quarterback was able to make a big throw or big run in the same conditions. I’m over the Blame everyone but Thomas. All season all we’ve done is blame the receivers, the offensive coordinator, everybody but our fifth year quarterback. I’m sure he’s a nice kid but it’s not everyone else’s fault his accuracy and decision making sucks. Just like it’s not the coaches fault Staunton can’t make a crucial field goal. Didn’t he miss the Southerj kick last year as well? Watching coastal do everything well tonight with a freshman quarterback only reinforced my desire to see new desire. I’m over some players going through the motions because they get to wear the block A. At some point execution needs to count for something.

Careful what you wish for. We will be fortunate to find another QB that can put up the same win/loss % that ZT has been able to produce.

If we sign all of our our committs, I like what the QB position looks like next season. If we stay with what it is now, we may get just that...what it is right now.

AppDub wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 12:38 pm

If we sign all of our our committs, I like what the QB position looks like next season. If we stay with what it is now, we may get just that...what it is right now.

We may have a star on his way to Boone but to expect a true freshman to deliver what we have gotten from Zac over the last 3 years is very unlikely. That's not to say a true freshman can't be an immediate force but the odds aren't good of that happening.

Not sure how McCall would have performed if he had started for us this season as well.

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:53 am

Seattleapp wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:12 am

Did the oc make Thomas lollipop that interception? Or his countless over and under throws? Funny, the Louisiana quarterback was able to make a big throw or big run in the same conditions. I’m over the Blame everyone but Thomas. All season all we’ve done is blame the receivers, the offensive coordinator, everybody but our fifth year quarterback. I’m sure he’s a nice kid but it’s not everyone else’s fault his accuracy and decision making sucks. Just like it’s not the coaches fault Staunton can’t make a crucial field goal. Didn’t he miss the Southerj kick last year as well? Watching coastal do everything well tonight with a freshman quarterback only reinforced my desire to see new desire. I’m over some players going through the motions because they get to wear the block A. At some point execution needs to count for something.

Careful what you wish for. We will be fortunate to find another QB that can put up the same win/loss % that ZT has been able to produce.

EXACTLY!

WataugaMan wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:28 pm

Not sure how McCall would have performed if he had started for us this season as well.

He wouldn’t have started. This is Zac’s team.

hapapp wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:01 pm

AppDub wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 12:38 pm

If we sign all of our our committs, I like what the QB position looks like next season. If we stay with what it is now, we may get just that...what it is right now.

We may have a star on his way to Boone but to expect a true freshman to deliver what we have gotten from Zac over the last 3 years is very unlikely. That's not to say a true freshman can't be an immediate force but the odds aren't good of that happening.

Good point. I dont expect him to crush it next year necessarily. Just ready for the transition from past to future. Appreciative of what has been given by the current player, but ready to see what the future holds.

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 5:47 pm

WataugaMan wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:28 pm

Not sure how McCall would have performed if he had started for us this season as well.

He wouldn’t have started. This is Zac’s team.

Not saying he would have started, just wondering if he would have performed any better under the new leadership.