It has been a quarter century since there has been this much change in the Appalachian State football program. The offseason after the 1988 campaign still does not compare to the earth shaking changes that were made earlier this spring and summer. The Mountaineers will begin the 2013 season with a brand spanking new coach, a new helmet logo, and a new conference affiliation to look forward to in 2014. There are now more scholarships in the future, as well as a twelve game season that will become the norm. Lost in the shuffle is the old traditional playoff format, whose field was increasing despite the lack of talent, and the odds of hosting a game in the typically rough December weather of the High Country. Also new on Jack Branch Drive is a defensive coordinator that hopes to restore the era of a dominant Appalachian defense, one that used to put more points on the board than the offense in some instances. There has been plenty of change in the mountains these past few months. The teacher has made way for the pupil, and he brings with him all of the lessons that make Appalachian a special place. What occurs off the field will be dealt with in the same manners as they always have, yet what happens between the lines might be what changes the most.

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Apps-37
Montana-27

Home field keeps them competitive, but nothing, especially the Griz's weak secondary, can stop the App State air raid, even without Price.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gummi Bears 35

Priceless 34

West of the Mississippi streak continues.

Let me carry on another tradition.

NP

MEN WITH LONG GUNS 35 grizzled bears 28 (NEVER bring a bear to a gun fight,no matter how BIG the bear is)

Montana 24
App State 21

Not convinced the O-line can create enough space for the running game and we need a balanced attack to win this one. I think our defense will come around in due time but we are young and the atmosphere will likely play heavily for Montana.

Snow Bowl Revenge!

Boone 30
Maroon 27

the more I read about Montana. the more comfortable I am we will win this game, qb that hasn't played in over a year, a new receiving corp with no game experience, a new running back, with little experience, a secondary that was horrible last year, and because of a suspension yesterday, lost a key reserve, so they are thin in the secondary. Honestly, the only thing that really worries me is that huge, experienced offensive line, if we can hold our own against them, and keep them from running the ball down our throats, and eating up the clock, we will win. App 38 Montana 27

Awesome C

N.P.

Reppies

App Offense delivers as expected with balance. App Defense makes a statement and will only get better as season progresses.

App - 34
Montana - 20

I think early on, each team will take awhile to get the first game jitters out, Both defenses will look good early with the second half ASU will light up the board.

ASU 28
MT 24






GO ASU!!!!!

App breaks the west of Mississippi before the Sun Belt days!

ASU 27 Montana 20....this time Montana comes up short near the endzone!

App breaks through in the forth to pull away:

App 31

Mon 24

I'm really not sure on how this game will go. I'd like to think that we could find a way to win west of the mississippi for the first time.

24-21. Asu wins. More of a defensive game that people expect.

Thanks Big C!

Football season is finally here. Thank you God! Here is hoping for an injury free and well played season. This is going to be tough to pick since we have never won west of the Mississippi.

In the tradition of the tough mountainmen who filtered through the Rockies with their wit and survival skills in order to keep their topknots or keep from being dinner for an ornery bruin:

Mountainmen with Longrifles 35
Griz 34

34-17 good guys

Mountaineers 31
Dan Haggerty 28

The Griz have the more experienced team, especially in the trenches and the huge night game home field advantage. App has an experienced QB, lots of skilled WR's and a youthful defense trying to learn a new system. Both teams kicking games are somewhat untested. I expect this to be an evenly fought game until Washington breaks a return for a TD. There will also be a Tacoi Sumler sighting....a blur heading to the end zone on a swing pass.

Mascot Has A Long Gun - 31
Mascot Shot Full of Lead - 24

Now it really feels like game week. This prediction thread always gets me pumped and looking forward to Saturday. Great job as always. Since we start a new era on Saturday I am abandoning my previous 'no prediction' stance and joining the masses. We end our west of the Mississippi trend!

Mountaineers-31
Griz- 24

Howards Knob 24
Hellsgate Canyon 21