Bowl opponent musings

[appstatealum]

..... I’ve read that some think the outcome has some bearing on the rankings for NEXT year. I have a hard time imagining that. Are the AP voters really concerned with how to rank us next year based on this one game? If we had played and beaten a 6-6 ACC team would we look that much better going into next year? If we happen to lose does it completely ruin a 12-1 season? Come on man.

Ask Boise. I'd argue that one Fiesta Bowl game launched them to where they are today and they are still riding that magical night.

I’m not so sure about that example. They had proven to be pretty good already and we’re highly ranked when given that bowl assignment. I just don’t think that there is a huge carryover for G5’s. I think we are already noticed. I just don’t believe if we win by 10,20, or 40 the preseason voting will vary.

Maybe. But at that time, most G5s that popped up in the BCS talks were flash in the pans. What Boise did and the trick play is still talked about EVERYTIME I watch a Boise game (admittedly, I watch a lot of MWC and Pac12 games late at night post getting home from App Games). Boise and UCF have done a lot for the Group of 5, but they (especially Boise) also get the benefit of the doubt for things in the past. Let's face it, the MWC was pretty awful this year and Boise finished ranked higher than us. I guarantee you that most casual fans can't name or even would know any of the MWC schools outside of Boise.

[wncapp78]

One of my peeves—Sunbelt should have been negotiating with the Charlotte bowl as soon as App, GaS, GaSt, and CCU became Sunbelt members. The Belt association ends this year. What is the conference doing to add Sunbelt as a possible tie in (even if it is a “contingency tie in)? Nothing is my guess. The CUSA tie ins are a mockery that Sunbelt should exploit. But I expect the commissioner is doing nothing. As the AAC commissioner set the table for NY6 the Sunbelt was mute. Terrible.

[AppStFan1]

One of my peeves—Sunbelt should have been negotiating with the Charlotte bowl as soon as App, GaS, GaSt, and CCU became Sunbelt members. The Belt association ends this year. What is the conference doing to add Sunbelt as a possible tie in (even if it is a “contingency tie in)? Nothing is my guess. The CUSA tie ins are a mockery that Sunbelt should exploit. But I expect the commissioner is doing nothing. As the AAC commissioner set the table for NY6 the Sunbelt was mute. Terrible.

The SBC has been very bad about this. I know people think it makes sense for the SBC to have pushed us for the Belk Bowl and been open to it but they weren't. I don't know why but they just don't care to. I suspect a little jealousy and prefer it be ULL, ULM, Troy, or ASU since they have much more seniority but I don't know. What I do know is that the AAC fights for their schools and as soon as we can get there we need to do it.

[AppStFan1]

..... I’ve read that some think the outcome has some bearing on the rankings for NEXT year. I have a hard time imagining that. Are the AP voters really concerned with how to rank us next year based on this one game? If we had played and beaten a 6-6 ACC team would we look that much better going into next year? If we happen to lose does it completely ruin a 12-1 season? Come on man.

Ask Boise. I'd argue that one Fiesta Bowl game launched them to where they are today and they are still riding that magical night.

I’m not so sure about that example. They had proven to be pretty good already and we’re highly ranked when given that bowl assignment. I just don’t think that there is a huge carryover for G5’s. I think we are already noticed. I just don’t believe if we win by 10,20, or 40 the preseason voting will vary.

Maybe. But at that time, most G5s that popped up in the BCS talks were flash in the pans. What Boise did and the trick play is still talked about EVERYTIME I watch a Boise game (admittedly, I watch a lot of MWC and Pac12 games late at night post getting home from App Games). Boise and UCF have done a lot for the Group of 5, but they (especially Boise) also get the benefit of the doubt for things in the past. Let's face it, the MWC was pretty awful this year and Boise finished ranked higher than us. I guarantee you that most casual fans can't name or even would know any of the MWC schools outside of Boise.

I don 't know if anyone has looked but we are the ONLY top tier G5 school playing another G5 in a bowl. Memphis plays Penn State, Boise plays Washington, Cincy plays BCU, Navy plays Kansas State, and Air Force plays Washington State. Temple is even playing UNC. Louisiana Tech is playing Miami FL. It just looks bad that we are not playing a P5. We need to beat UAB by about 30-40 and make a strong statement.

[appstatealum]

I noticed. But I was thinking about it today, it's not a terrible scenario for us. With Drink jumping ship, Clark being elevated to HC, some coaches in transition, some key seniors leaving, and our best WR being out- this game sets up for us to destroy a Conference USA opponent who has had some decent success lately and create a scroll on ESPN where people go "wow, App really took it to UAB. I guess no surprise there". But it will be another couple of facts to add to the "Making history" book that continues to get thicker. A 5th straight bowl win, another fantastic winning season, another embarrassment of a G5 OOC opponent...... It will be a great way to end the season (all things considered) and will give the program a good high going into the off season. We could really benefit from a blow out victory and give AP voters confidence in giving us a preseason top 25 ranking.

[spacemonkey]

I noticed. But I was thinking about it today, it's not a terrible scenario for us. With Drink jumping ship, Clark being elevated to HC, some coaches in transition, some key seniors leaving, and our best WR being out- this game sets up for us to destroy a Conference USA opponent who has had some decent success lately and create a scroll on ESPN where people go "wow, App really took it to UAB. I guess no surprise there". But it will be another couple of facts to add to the "Making history" book that continues to get thicker. A 5th straight bowl win, another fantastic winning season, another embarrassment of a G5 OOC opponent...... It will be a great way to end the season (all things considered) and will give the program a good high going into the off season. We could really benefit from a blow out victory and give AP voters confidence in giving us a preseason top 25 ranking.

Ditto!!!!!
It also works in our bowl tie ins. We get weaker opponents for all of our bowls. The SEC has a tougher opponent for all of their bowls, especially when they get two in the playoff. I think conf USA has bowl tie ins that make it very tough for their teams to win. (From top to bottom)

[bigdaddyg]

Unless you are in the final 4 or go to the NY6 the rest of the bowl options are really catch 22 situations for lots of teams (App included). If we get in a bigger, more prestigious bowl against a middling P5 and lose we get the, "see those G5 supposed really good teams aren't up to big boy status" or if we beat one folks would say that the P5 wasn't very good. If we get a lower G5 and destroy them the game is much like one of our conference contests that doesn't move the meter. Obviously if we lose to one of these lesser opponents it sends off the message that we really weren't that good. That being said any bowl game that we play in should be kept in proper perspective. It is just another game to play that includes the reward for the players, an opportunity for the fans to travel and have fun. I guess we all just need to relax, revel in the awesome season and cheer on a W for the might App State.

[appblutto]

Well said...

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I noticed. But I was thinking about it today, it's not a terrible scenario for us. With Drink jumping ship, Clark being elevated to HC, some coaches in transition, some key seniors leaving, and our best WR being out- this game sets up for us to destroy a Conference USA opponent who has had some decent success lately and create a scroll on ESPN where people go "wow, App really took it to UAB. I guess no surprise there". But it will be another couple of facts to add to the "Making history" book that continues to get thicker. A 5th straight bowl win, another fantastic winning season, another embarrassment of a G5 OOC opponent...... It will be a great way to end the season (all things considered) and will give the program a good high going into the off season. We could really benefit from a blow out victory and give AP voters confidence in giving us a preseason top 25 ranking.

Ditto!!!!!
It also works in our bowl tie ins. We get weaker opponents for all of our bowls. The SEC has a tougher opponent for all of their bowls, especially when they get two in the playoff. I think conf USA has bowl tie ins that make it very tough for their teams to win. (From top to bottom)

I think as long as they go to a bowl game, that will be the case no matter who the opponent.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

New hashtag for everytime we go to the NO Bowl: #SandPaperDatAss

[AppRolls]

More than the player's mindset, the way I've seen many Mountaineers talk about UAB is disrespectful to their fans. Sure, on paper, App should spank UAB, but UAB isn't some garbage team. They've been successful since they restarted their program. A lot more successful than UNC-Concord or South Alabama. Y'all are going to look really dumb if App gets beat, God forbid.

What has been said to disrespect their fans? All I've seen (and yes, posted about) is how inflated their record is, they've beaten bad teams, 1 win against a team with winning record, but nothing that I would consider disrespectful to their fans...

Would you not feel disrespected if we were playing a different, "bigger and better" opponent, and all their fans on social media were upset that they were playing us? Saying stuff like, "well their record is really inflated. The Sun Belt is a trash conference, and the two P5 wins they have were against garbage teams. They lost a game to a bad Georgia Southern team. If we have to play a G5 team, I wish we could play a good one." Do you not think that's disrespectful to the team and the fans that have devoted every Satuday to supporting them?

Where is the rule that says that you have to “respect” your opponent on a message board? I’m so sick of people on YC trying to police how other people express their fandom. Some people will predict we’ll win by 50, others are nervous about losing every time we tee it up. Let each fan be the fan they want to be and express it the way they want to. We don’t all have to be the same. Let’s worry about building the program and not worry about making sure every post on a message board is reasonable.

The Golden Rule.
I'm not here to tell you how to be a fan. You can express your fandom any way you want. It's fine to point out the deficiencies in an opponent, but I see many posters on YC and twitter belittling and insulting UAB and their fans. This is America, and you are free to do that, but I'm also free to say that that kind of behavior makes you look like an ass. You wouldn't like it if someone else was saying the same thing about you or your team.

I specifically said MESSAGE BOARD in my post - meaning this message board - which is 99% seen by only App fans. I agree with you about twitter. But the broader point - sports fandom is not the place for the Golden Rule and if that’s what you’re looking for, good luck with that. As to whether I’d like it if people said bad things about me or my team.....they already do....its part of it. Dish it out and take it when appropriate. That’s what makes it fun.

[bigdaddyg]

What has been said to disrespect their fans? All I've seen (and yes, posted about) is how inflated their record is, they've beaten bad teams, 1 win against a team with winning record, but nothing that I would consider disrespectful to their fans...

Would you not feel disrespected if we were playing a different, "bigger and better" opponent, and all their fans on social media were upset that they were playing us? Saying stuff like, "well their record is really inflated. The Sun Belt is a trash conference, and the two P5 wins they have were against garbage teams. They lost a game to a bad Georgia Southern team. If we have to play a G5 team, I wish we could play a good one." Do you not think that's disrespectful to the team and the fans that have devoted every Satuday to supporting them?

Where is the rule that says that you have to “respect” your opponent on a message board? I’m so sick of people on YC trying to police how other people express their fandom. Some people will predict we’ll win by 50, others are nervous about losing every time we tee it up. Let each fan be the fan they want to be and express it the way they want to. We don’t all have to be the same. Let’s worry about building the program and not worry about making sure every post on a message board is reasonable.

The Golden Rule.
I'm not here to tell you how to be a fan. You can express your fandom any way you want. It's fine to point out the deficiencies in an opponent, but I see many posters on YC and twitter belittling and insulting UAB and their fans. This is America, and you are free to do that, but I'm also free to say that that kind of behavior makes you look like an ass. You wouldn't like it if someone else was saying the same thing about you or your team.

I specifically said MESSAGE BOARD in my post - meaning this message board - which is 99% seen by only App fans. I agree with you about twitter. But the broader point - sports fandom is not the place for the Golden Rule and if that’s what you’re looking for, good luck with that. As to whether I’d like it if people said bad things about me or my team.....they already do....its part of it. Dish it out and take it when appropriate. That’s what makes it fun.

I agree. While we should all be adults and keep everything in proper context and perspective, if we want to "bash" another team, so to speak what is the big deal? I don't know about the rest of you but I could care less what is said about App on other school's message boards. I figure that they are spouting out the same, generally dumb and useless crap that we write. Big deal.