Next up - UL Lafayette

[AppSt94]

To say that Vegas is big on us winning this game is an understatement. All of the lines I have seen as us winning by 10 or more points.

The gravity of this fact is unbelievable. The experts are picking us to win on the road against a team with a much better record and currently out-ranks us in our conference and they expect us to win by a lot. The only explanation for this is that the experts don't think our win over A-State was a fluke at all.

The D-line and O-line do make me nervous. South Alabama's O-line caused us fits earlier in the season and our guys are still a bit under sized.

Go App!

We are not favored to when. We are the underdog in every book.

[spong]

To say that Vegas is big on us winning this game is an understatement. All of the lines I have seen as us winning by 10 or more points.

The gravity of this fact is unbelievable. The experts are picking us to win on the road against a team with a much better record and currently out-ranks us in our conference and they expect us to win by a lot. The only explanation for this is that the experts don't think our win over A-State was a fluke at all.

The D-line and O-line do make me nervous. South Alabama's O-line caused us fits earlier in the season and our guys are still a bit under sized.

Go App!

We are not favored to when. We are the underdog in every book.

You're right I don't know what I was looking at. Sorry about that.

[Rick0714]

When you read the Ark St message board, I swear, nearly word for word, they sound like we did a few weeks ago. Kicker problems, getting out coached, not using our athletes, line play issues, etc. But the thing that stuck with me was all of the "got out coached" comments, and I think they were spot on. Rookie coach did not adjust well, which I think is pretty common and something our guys have definitely improved on. However, I don't see this coach at ULL making the same mistake. In addition, they see us coming and they seem to be taking us seriously. I think they make sure to stop the run and see what Taylor can do. If we can avoid the 1 yard 1st down plays, we stand a chance. Burn's mom posted somewhere that he will be fine and I heard Tyson will not play but did hear he may be back with a brace the next week. "Any given Saturday" is so true with this group! Go Apps!

[sixtoes9134]

Here's the thing - I don't believe that ULL is any better than Georgia Southern.

We had our chances in the Georgia Southern game and we are playing much better now than then.

There's no doubt that the stupid penalties, mental mistakes and special teams snafus have to be minimized for us to have a shot.

[tjpappy]

I only see our last win as a positive in terms of getting ready for this game - building confidence that we can compete with the best in the league, but certainly no reason to be over-confident.

The ability of the team to absorb early deficits (I hate when that happens!) and keep playing with poise and maturity speaks highly of the tam's stability and cohesiveness. True, the toll of travel could be a factor, as well as trying to slay a giant on the road. However, I like our chances to perform well in this game.

[moehler]

ULL run defense is great, going to be really tough yds, especially between the tackles, if we gain over 120 yds for he entire game, I will be really happy. Pass defense is another story, last in the league against the pass, Lamb and the receiving corp should have a very good day. The key is can we stop their running game, which I contend is the best in the SBC, giant offensive line, I believe all tip the scales around or over 300 lbs, and they are really athletic. I watched the entire ULL/Ark State earlier in the year, and they just destroyed Ark State front 4, it was even a more dominate performance than what we did last week. With Tyson out, I think they are going to spend the majority of the afternoon attempting to pound us between the tackles. I think if we can somehow hold them under 220 yds rushing we will have a chance, but I don't know if we will be able to do it.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

Great win last week. What a roller coaster of a season!

After looking up some stats, I see our next game as very winnable. Ul lost all three of their FBS OOC games (although they were good teams) and is fifth in the conference in total offense and sixth in total defense. App is currently second in total offense and first in total defense. Ul likes to run the ball and has a stout run D and weak pass D. If we can just be average on special teams and Lamb passes efficiently, I like our chances!

What do you see as the keys to winning this game?

Don't punt, kick field goals or extra points and we will win.

[clayton]

It's pretty obvious that we are better than our record, right now. The first five games of the year would go quite differently if we were to play them now.

But, I also think that ULL might not be as good as their record. They won't play GaSo and got the rest of the top half of the league at home.

If we play as well as we did last week, with fewer mistakes, we will win.

[AppSt94]

When you read the Ark St message board, I swear, nearly word for word, they sound like we did a few weeks ago. Kicker problems, getting out coached, not using our athletes, line play issues, etc. But the thing that stuck with me was all of the "got out coached" comments, and I think they were spot on. Rookie coach did not adjust well, which I think is pretty common and something our guys have definitely improved on. However, I don't see this coach at ULL making the same mistake. In addition, they see us coming and they seem to be taking us seriously. I think they make sure to stop the run and see what Taylor can do. If we can avoid the 1 yard 1st down plays, we stand a chance. Burn's mom posted somewhere that he will be fine and I heard Tyson will not play but did hear he may be back with a brace the next week. "Any given Saturday" is so true with this group! Go Apps!

It was like reading our board for sure. Is it me or do we seem to have fewer post to this board after wins than losses?

[AppSt94]

It's pretty obvious that we are better than our record, right now. The first five games of the year would go quite differently if we were to play them now.

But, I also think that ULL might not be as good as their record. They won't play GaSo and got the rest of the top half of the league at home.

If we play as well as we did last week, with fewer mistakes, we will win.

In order for us to win this game we have to run to set up the pass. We need to avoid third and long. We need mistake free football and a few bounces to go our way. We will play 60 minutes for sure. I'm not saying we won't, or can't win, it will be a tall order.

[AppSt94]

Here's the thing - I don't believe that ULL is any better than Georgia Southern.

We had our chances in the Georgia Southern game and we are playing much better now than then.

There's no doubt that the stupid penalties, mental mistakes and special teams snafus have to be minimized for us to have a shot.

Why don't you think ULL is better than Southern?

[WataugaMan]

It's pretty obvious that we are better than our record, right now. The first five games of the year would go quite differently if we were to play them now.

But, I also think that ULL might not be as good as their record. They won't play GaSo and got the rest of the top half of the league at home.

If we play as well as we did last week, with fewer mistakes, we will win.

In order for us to win this game we have to run to set up the pass. We need to avoid third and long. We need mistake free football and a few bounces to go our way. We will play 60 minutes for sure. I'm not saying we won't, or can't win, it will be a tall order.

Or, we may need to pass to set up the run.

[proasu89]

When you read the Ark St message board, I swear, nearly word for word, they sound like we did a few weeks ago. Kicker problems, getting out coached, not using our athletes, line play issues, etc. But the thing that stuck with me was all of the "got out coached" comments, and I think they were spot on. Rookie coach did not adjust well, which I think is pretty common and something our guys have definitely improved on. However, I don't see this coach at ULL making the same mistake. In addition, they see us coming and they seem to be taking us seriously. I think they make sure to stop the run and see what Taylor can do. If we can avoid the 1 yard 1st down plays, we stand a chance. Burn's mom posted somewhere that he will be fine and I heard Tyson will not play but did hear he may be back with a brace the next week. "Any given Saturday" is so true with this group! Go Apps!

It was like reading our board for sure. Is it me or do we seem to have fewer post to this board after wins than losses?

Oh how I hope that I am wrong but I'm afraid that it speaks to how many folks was hoping that this season would be a complete failure. I think they are confused about whether to get back on board or just let the whole FBS thing pass them by. Change is a powerful thing and some people just can't handle it. God Bless them but we will move on!

[sixtoes9134]

Here's the thing - I don't believe that ULL is any better than Georgia Southern.

We had our chances in the Georgia Southern game and we are playing much better now than then.

There's no doubt that the stupid penalties, mental mistakes and special teams snafus have to be minimized for us to have a shot.

Why don't you think ULL is better than Southern?

On the whole, looking at their like opponents.
South Alabama - GS won 28-6, ULL won 19-9
Georgia State - GS won 69-31, ULL won 34-31
NMSU - GS won 38-26, ULL won 44-16
Texas St. - GS won 28-25, ULL 34-10

Total Points for GS = 163 Against = 88
Total Points for ULL= 131 Against = 66

So, while GS has scored more points, ULL has allowed fewer - on the whole somewhat balanced if you look at like opponents.

[clayton]

In order for us to win this game we have to run to set up the pass. We need to avoid third and long. We need mistake free football and a few bounces to go our way. We will play 60 minutes for sure. I'm not saying we won't, or can't win, it will be a tall order.

I really don't think the order is as tall as many seem to believe.

A lot of people are pointing to their run defense because they're ranked first in the league in that category.

BUT... they haven't played us yet and won't play Georgia Southern. GaSo is first in the league in rushing with 384 yards a game. We're second with 246 (more than 200 fewer yards a game). They are third.

Maybe they seem so strong against the run because they haven't played the league's top three rushing attacks?

[AppSt94]

Here's the thing - I don't believe that ULL is any better than Georgia Southern.

We had our chances in the Georgia Southern game and we are playing much better now than then.

There's no doubt that the stupid penalties, mental mistakes and special teams snafus have to be minimized for us to have a shot.

Why don't you think ULL is better than Southern?

On the whole, looking at their like opponents.
South Alabama - GS won 28-6, ULL won 19-9
Georgia State - GS won 69-31, ULL won 34-31
NMSU - GS won 38-26, ULL won 44-16
Texas St. - GS won 28-25, ULL 34-10

Total Points for GS = 163 Against = 88
Total Points for ULL= 131 Against = 66

So, while GS has scored more points, ULL has allowed fewer - on the whole somewhat balanced if you look at like opponents.

Thanks. That supports your statement. After this weekend we will be able to make a first hand comparison.

[AppSt94]

It's pretty obvious that we are better than our record, right now. The first five games of the year would go quite differently if we were to play them now.

But, I also think that ULL might not be as good as their record. They won't play GaSo and got the rest of the top half of the league at home.

If we play as well as we did last week, with fewer mistakes, we will win.

In order for us to win this game we have to run to set up the pass. We need to avoid third and long. We need mistake free football and a few bounces to go our way. We will play 60 minutes for sure. I'm not saying we won't, or can't win, it will be a tall order.

Or, we may need to pass to set up the run.

Yea I suppose we can go that route What I meant is that we need to effectively run against a 7 man front to keep them from giving help to their secondary. I want Maguire and Meadors on safeties.

[appgrad]

What intrigues me, and gives me hope is this... ULL does have the top rush defense in the SBC, BUT hasn't faced either of the top 2 rushing attacks - us and Southern. Thus, that #1 Ranked Status might be misleading. We shall see.

[bigdaddyg]

I would think that initially UL La will look to stack the box since we appear to be a run first team. The key will be to open up the field with some quick hitters that will keep us out of immediate 2nd and 9 situations. We can't afford to make bad penalties, especially holding or block in the back on kick returns. False starts, especially on those 2nd and 9 situations will be bad as well. We will definitely need to have a fresh rotation up front on defense and hopefully Woody is working in some new wrinkles. Looks like a big key to our recent success has been that we must still be opening the play book to the younger kids. Film study doesn't give everything away that can do. Hopefully there is still some more unseen stuff that will be unleashed Saturday. Definitely going to be a fight for 60 min. Big concern is that we just traveled big time last week and now we have to do it again. Schedule makers did not do us a favor with a Saturday road game followed by a Thursday road game and now back to back road games against two of the top conference foes. I think we can do well if we avoid the early hole. Just weather the early storm, get into an offensive rythmn and get a big early stop- a defensive TO would be huge.

[sixtoes9134]

As long as we fight and play like we've been playing, I'll be satisfied because I feel that worst case scenario we finish the season 6-6 and 5-3 in Sun Belt - which will be a success IMHO, given we got the tougher draw of the two new SB teams.