TSN picks Illinois State

[eggers76]

From a purely personal point of view I like that we could be considered the underdog in this game as well. We have lost a couple of playoff games in the last two years that everyone (myself included) at least thought were winnable before the games and there were lots of unhappy folks around here.

Looking at it somewhat objectively, we are (or have been) a depleted team because of injuries. In addition we are relatively inexperienced at several different positions, especially both the OL and DL. Toss in a major staff overhaul and I think in some ways we have overachieved this year. Illinois State appears to be a quality team and will likely provide us a very hard test. Hopefully we can come out on top and I think we are more than capable. I believe the GSU game showed us all what this team can do with their backs to the wall. I am looking forward to coming back up the mountain for the game and will be loud. It will have been a long three weeks come Saturday.

[asutrnr81]

a big difference this year,is we have a coaching staff that knows what the hell they are doing. I'm confident that SS and the staff will come up with a good gameplan. Does anyone have any infomation on JJ's knee? You cant get any information from the school, we have no idea if he is completely healthy, 80%, or he is seriously hurt.

not trying to evade the question....JJ is as good as he is going to get. If he hurts himself any more it will be a new injury....I may be with the same knee but it will be a new injury. He will require off season surgery but will be fine. NOTHING I have said here has any validity except that after talking with folks about his injury and what they are not saying says it all! Word our of Boone is he took his first Practice snaps since the Western injury last week and looked good.

The thing that says is.........we beat GSU and Furman with a QB that did not take a snap during practice...mental simulation and film study!

[asutrnr81]

I will say this....we may get beat, but ISU is not better than GSU was AT the Stink!

We beat a quality opponent on their turf and out played them with an injured QB at almost every position.

TSN NST STN....they know NOTHING except what they hear and read.....

GO APPS!

[appbio91]

This team has been full of surprises all year..good and bad. I think if our O line can give JJ time to throw the ball we will have a good day. I think he has shown that his injury does not prevent him from running our offense.

I really would like to see Chisholm step up. That kid has been through a lot and has never really lived up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of HS.

[PBR1893-BEER-HAT-GUY]

this team and the lack of a solid favorite makes me think of the 05 team...good but not great...all pieces came together toward the end of the season...stay healthy and spread the ball around to eveyone. gosh i wish sumler played...the speed of his vs the height of price and the backs of miller and then chisolm and jones and jj...i like our chances and our road map to texas quite frankly.

[Black Saturday]

this team and the lack of a solid favorite makes me think of the 05 team...good but not great...all pieces came together toward the end of the season...stay healthy and spread the ball around to eveyone. gosh i wish sumler played...the speed of his vs the height of price and the backs of miller and then chisolm and jones and jj...i like our chances and our road map to texas quite frankly.

What is Sumler's status??? Injured??? or Dresses but does play???

[WVAPPeer]

this team and the lack of a solid favorite makes me think of the 05 team...good but not great...all pieces came together toward the end of the season...stay healthy and spread the ball around to eveyone. gosh i wish sumler played...the speed of his vs the height of price and the backs of miller and then chisolm and jones and jj...i like our chances and our road map to texas quite frankly.

What is Sumler's status??? Injured??? or Dresses but does play???

I'm guessing there is still a roster limit for the playoffs ---

[BrownHP800]

this team and the lack of a solid favorite makes me think of the 05 team...good but not great...all pieces came together toward the end of the season.

Zack said that Coach Moore said basically the same thing at one of the players meetings last week. I hope that is the case and that these kids are not ready to stop playing football. Just have to take 1 game at a time.

[Black Saturday]

this team and the lack of a solid favorite makes me think of the 05 team...good but not great...all pieces came together toward the end of the season...stay healthy and spread the ball around to eveyone. gosh i wish sumler played...the speed of his vs the height of price and the backs of miller and then chisolm and jones and jj...i like our chances and our road map to texas quite frankly.

What is Sumler's status??? Injured??? or Dresses but does play???

I'm guessing there is still a roster limit for the playoffs ---

I thought that his speed would get him some touches in some form or another. A 4.2 forty tells me he's probably 2 tenths forty time faster than anyone else on the field. 4th quarter, he's got to be even more faster than the defenders who are probably gassed for playing a whole game. Looks like he'd get tossed the ball on an end around just to see what his speed can do? Looks like his speed would produce an advantage in some form? But of course I'm not a coach, but tou are a "Coach", So, what say you, my friend WV ?...........

[WVAPPeer]

From what I have read he has had knee problems including fluid on the knee - with a limited roster he would have to be 100% or close - it has been a long time since he has played - hey he could run a 4.0 forty like you but if his knee is hurt he would be closer to me at about 8.0

[WVAPPeer]

Just heard David on Around the Mountain and he said Sumler was back at practice yesterday and split time between running with the 1s and the 2s
---

[PBR1893-BEER-HAT-GUY]

thats really good news...theres been no film on him for other teams and if he is as fast as predicted, it would be a boost. imagine this...you go to price...you go to jones...miller out of the backfield...wearing the secondary down and then this guy blows your doors off...multi rotational disaster for any secondary...you gotta jump high and be fast...constantly. i like that kind of football!

[Black Saturday]

From what I have read he has had knee problems including fluid on the knee - with a limited roster he would have to be 100% or close - it has been a long time since he has played - hey he could run a 4.0 forty like you but if his knee is hurt he would be closer to me at about 8.0

LOL! I think I could out run you, but I might be a 7.95 in the 40

[moehler]

I dont have much faith we will see sumler playing a significent amount, he couldnt get on the field during the season when he was healthy, dont know why, kid that fast you would think the coaches would find creative ways to get him the ball, maybe its taken him awhile to learn the system, maybe he neeed an attitude adjustment coming from a bcs program, havent a clue, but would like to see what he can do in the open field.

[WVAPPeer]

I dont have much faith we will see sumler playing a significent amount, he couldnt get on the field during the season when he was healthy, dont know why, kid that fast you would think the coaches would find creative ways to get him the ball, maybe its taken him awhile to learn the system, maybe he neeed an attitude adjustment coming from a bcs program, havent a clue, but would like to see what he can do in the open field.

I think he was hurt pretty early on just as he was starting to get some time on the field ---

[WVAPPeer]

From what I have read he has had knee problems including fluid on the knee - with a limited roster he would have to be 100% or close - it has been a long time since he has played - hey he could run a 4.0 forty like you but if his knee is hurt he would be closer to me at about 8.0

LOL! I think I could out run you, but I might be a 7.95 in the 40

You have to give me a head start - a yard for every year I'm older than you - Hell I will have to waddle only about 10 yards ---

[AppStateNews]

maybe he neeed an attitude adjustment coming from a bcs program

I don't think that was it. With our interview with Coach Stepp on our weekly podcast, Stepp mentioned how Sumler came in with a great attitude. Never had a "well I am better because I came from a BCS school" approach and worked his butt off from the get go. Heck, you could tell that from the play at FanFest where Blalock recovered a fumble and was about to score and Sumler came out of no where to push him out of bounds. That's hard to find these days -- especially in a scrimmage.

He was injured early on in the season and that is why his playing time has been limited. I don't know if he is good to go now or not, but if so, I hope we see some more of him!

[mom_n_buggie]

As long as we don't try to run up the middle every 1st down and wind up in 2nd and 10+ every series, we have a good shot. Also if we keep the tempo up and keep moving the ball I think that will be a major advantage.

Amen!
Anybody remember Johnny Carson's The Great Karnack?

Mystical Answer: "Handoff to Stephen Miller and run up the middle."

Question in Envelope: "What is the only play Appstate calls on a 1st down?"

[Rekdiver]

Miller runs left reverse to sumler to the right........... It's coming...................

[appfanz]

Sports Network preview today picks the Apps to win. In overtime, no less.