App State/Miami Article

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

If we beat ECU (Momentum), and remain injury free, with a couple extra days for rest and preparation...I like our chances.

I'm not worried about the heat too much. The game will likely be at night, because they know that even people that live in Miami aren't trying to be in a packed stadium for a day game.

[Black Saturday]

This U team is going to be the best team we've faced since the #5 Michigan team. Now Alabama -16 to Miami, could soften them a little the week before our game, but not expecting any kind of an upset. I'd imagine we're gonna be 17ish point underdog if you twisted my arm. Miami has lots of talent 19 of 22 starters or so back. Also guessing there #2 behind Clempsum in '21. Hoping we keep it under my spread.

I would say maybe the most talented team, but I think you're reaching a bit with the "best team since #5 Michigan". We've played Clemson and Georgia in CFP years, along with Penn State. Maybe the fastest or most talented but best is a stretch.

Miami of late has had a history of let down games, just look at their recent bowl losses, or ask FIU... being sandwiched where we are on their schedule is right where I want to be. I am by no means saying I expect the upset, but I do think the way it was scheduled gives us our best shot at being competitive.

They're neither better nor more talented than those Clemson and Georgia teams.

For that matter, "best team we've faced since #5 Michigan" is a strange formulation, considering those two teams and arguably a few others we've played since were better than that Michigan team.

Strange indeed, maybe I'm hoping for an upset like UM to strike again, because it'll take that type of effort again. Miami will be 3rd on that list of tough guys. Agree that Clempsum and Jawga were more talented than The U this year, tough game and tough schedule this year.

We are sandwiched between Alabama and Michigan St. Their QB is coming off ACL surgery in January. They could come out flat and beat up from Alabama.

Got my fingers crossed, I think we've been better than Michigan St recently

[Black Saturday]

call me pragmatic, but if we don't slow down their QB, it will be a loooong day. That dude is electric.

Agree. He is coming off a torn ACL though. He may not be back to full speed by week 2.

I'd rather not face them with King

[BambooRdApp]

call me pragmatic, but if we don't slow down their QB, it will be a loooong day. That dude is electric.

Agree. He is coming off a torn ACL though. He may not be back to full speed by week 2.

I'd rather not face them with King

Given injury which may limit his run game and ability to avoid rush if he is still tentative...I believe I would rather face him...with that said, not idea on QB2 is now at the u.

[asumba95]

call me pragmatic, but if we don't slow down their QB, it will be a loooong day. That dude is electric.

Agree. He is coming off a torn ACL though. He may not be back to full speed by week 2.

ahhh, forgot about the injury. We shall see...

[Appstate88]

I won’t predict the outcome, but with Frank Ponce (SoFlo) as OC, I will predict our offense will be ready for the challenge.

[AtlAppMan]

I think we have to bow up and take our A+ game and let the chips fall where they may.

[Bootsy]

The heat and humidity WILL matter. To both teams, but much more so for App. Let's just hope it isn't an inferno like our kids experienced last time they played the Pirates.

Another concern I have about this game is that our players don't get too hyped up and can't control the emotion. It's happened in the past when big opponents were on the schedule and it typically doesn't end well.

[biggie]

Surely there is no way it can be as hot as it was at EZU.

[mike87]

7pm kickoff will help. It'll help in the stands too.

[AtlAppMan]

Another concern I have about this game is that our players don't get too hyped up and can't control the emotion. It's happened in the past when big opponents were on the schedule and it typically doesn't end well.

Interesting point, let's compare some of our recent games over last few years and get inputs. This is just my point of view.
2014 - Michigan - Lost 14-52 - no overhype, just outmanned
2015 - Clemson - Lost 10-41 - we played ok but way outmanned
2016 - Tennessee - Lost 13-20 - well prepared, played well, just came up short
2016 - Miami - Lost 10-45 - you're right, too hyped, didn't prepare well, overconfident
2017 - UGA - Lost 10-31 - prepared well, just too much UGA, faded as game progressed
2017 - Wake - Lost 19-20 - prepared well, they made play, we didn't
2018 - Penn St - Lost 38-45 - prepared well, played well, McSorley made great pass facing two blitzing LBs, with great catch to tie at end of regulation and send to OT
2018 - Ga So - Lost 14-34 - They were more motivated than we were
2019 - UNC - Won 34-31 - prepared and played well
2019 - Ga So - Lost 21-24 - They were more motivated than we were
2019 - USC - Won 20-15 - prepared and played well
2020 - All losses, IMO, we were mostly motivated but didn't execute well enough to win

In general, once I reviewed the list we only had a few "let downs" that resulted in losses.

[Yosef84]

Another concern I have about this game is that our players don't get too hyped up and can't control the emotion. It's happened in the past when big opponents were on the schedule and it typically doesn't end well.

Interesting point, let's compare some of our recent games over last few years and get inputs. This is just my point of view.
2014 - Michigan - Lost 14-52 - no overhype, just outmanned
2015 - Clemson - Lost 10-41 - we played ok but way outmanned
2016 - Tennessee - Lost 13-20 - well prepared, played well, just came up short
2016 - Miami - Lost 10-45 - you're right, too hyped, didn't prepare well, overconfident
2017 - UGA - Lost 10-31 - prepared well, just too much UGA, faded as game progressed
2017 - Wake - Lost 19-20 - prepared well, they made play, we didn't
2018 - Penn St - Lost 38-45 - prepared well, played well, McSorley made great pass facing two blitzing LBs, with great catch to tie at end of regulation and send to OT
2018 - Ga So - Lost 14-34 - They were more motivated than we were
2019 - UNC - Won 34-31 - prepared and played well
2019 - Ga So - Lost 21-24 - They were more motivated than we were
2019 - USC - Won 20-15 - prepared and played well
2020 - All losses, IMO, we were mostly motivated but didn't execute well enough to win

In general, once I reviewed the list we only had a few "let downs" that resulted in losses.

Regarding that UGA game in 2017, App was playing extremely well, especially on D. The key factor that helped Georgia pull away in that game was Eason getting hurt and Fromm taking over as QB (never gave up that spot). Fromm was much quicker on his reads and getting rid of the ball and Georgia pulled away. If Eason had played the whole game, we might have taken it to the wire. Unfortunately, we'll never know.

As someone who grew up pulling for Georgia (son of a Georgia alum), I was happy that they discovered Fromm, but I wish they had discovered them the next week instead.