Bowl Season

[Saint3333]

And got beat soundly on both sides of the line. More evidence of how important improvement that is this offseason.

Although Troy didn’t don’t seem to play with the same passion, which is partly on coaching.

[appgrad95&97]

Always context. The fact is the Sun Belt, while definitely improving, is not close to being recognized as the top G5 conference. And this bowl season didn't help.

[hapapp]

Always context. The fact is the Sun Belt, while definitely improving, is not close to being recognized as the top G5 conference. And this bowl season didn't help.

There are a number of variables at work during bowl season, but its hard for me to believe that the Sun Belt is the best G5 conference. When its two best (record wise) schools lose their bowl games, its not the basis to stake the claim. It might be argued its the most competitive given the 12 schools that made a bowl but not sure its the best.

[ncman071]

given the matchups...portal...etc..if texas st wins tomorrow that will put us 5-7...not good but respectable...honestly im still just so happy we beat miami oh...11-2 true MAC champs

[Bigdaddyg1]

Is our's the most impressive win considering the opposition? I think so

[BambooRdApp]

Always context. The fact is the Sun Belt, while definitely improving, is not close to being recognized as the top G5 conference. And this bowl season didn't help.

There are a number of variables at work during bowl season, but its hard for me to believe that the Sun Belt is the best G5 conference. When its two best (record wise) schools lose their bowl games, its not the basis to stake the claim. It might be argued its the most competitive given the 12 schools that made a bowl but not sure its the best.

Troy losing to Dook was not a bad loss. Dook was looking pretty good until Leonard got hurt. Dook's D was decent this year. Several players for Troy had flu like symptoms. You can overcome coaching changes as we have demonstrated that in the past...but players not at 100% impacts performance. Air Force was undefeated until injuries impacted their team. I think they had 5 to 7 players return that had been out last several weeks.
It is easy to throw out assessments of the conferences performance without considering the talent of opposing teams. Several opposing teams with 8 or 9 wins playing.500 record SBC teams...

[Tru2ASU]

Bowl games are holding less and less validity due to the portal and coaching changes. If you don't make the playoffs next season, just going to feel like exhibition games.

On the plus side, seen this nowhere else, but Apps bowl game was was no 2 in TV rankings for week 1 bowl games, just behind the LA Bowl, which was in prime time.

[hapapp]

Always context. The fact is the Sun Belt, while definitely improving, is not close to being recognized as the top G5 conference. And this bowl season didn't help.

There are a number of variables at work during bowl season, but its hard for me to believe that the Sun Belt is the best G5 conference. When its two best (record wise) schools lose their bowl games, its not the basis to stake the claim. It might be argued its the most competitive given the 12 schools that made a bowl but not sure its the best.

Troy losing to Dook was not a bad loss. Dook was looking pretty good until Leonard got hurt. Dook's D was decent this year. Several players for Troy had flu like symptoms. You can overcome coaching changes as we have demonstrated that in the past...but players not at 100% impacts performance. Air Force was undefeated until injuries impacted their team. I think they had 5 to 7 players return that had been out last several weeks.
It is easy to throw out assessments of the conferences performance without considering the talent of opposing teams. Several opposing teams with 8 or 9 wins playing.500 record SBC teams...

I don't disagree but rationalizations can only go so far. It's not like Duke didn't lose a coach or players either. I agree on Air Force being more like they were when they were undefeated, but JMU clearly didn't face anyone near as good on their way to 11-1. If Texas State can win tomorrow, it will be four in a row for the Belt. A 5-7 finish wouldn't be bad.

[AppGrad78]

I was surprised at how ill-prepared JMU’s defense was against Air Force. Didn’t expect Air Force to score 31 points.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I was surprised at how ill-prepared JMU’s defense was against Air Force. Didn’t expect Air Force to score 31 points.

And a bunch of their starters heading to Indiana next year. Their new coach may be great, but they will have some growing pains early next season at a minimum

[Saint3333]

I was surprised at how ill-prepared JMU’s defense was against Air Force. Didn’t expect Air Force to score 31 points.

I agree, great rush defense and getting three+ weeks to play assignment football. Bad loss.

Not as bad as the GS loss to all backups Ohio though.

[huskie3]

I’m glad to see some of the northern bowls having to play in the same sloppy conditions APP had to deal with.

[APP93]

Surprised SMU lost to BC, guess that shuts them up about not getting NY6...AAC 2-3 with 1 game left.

[Pikapp79]

Check out the Orange Bowl attendance. If you aren’t a playoff team attendance will be a ghost town for other bowl games. It will be worse for every bowl after the playoff is expanded to 8. If you aren’t playing in one of this games good luck selling tickets. Which is why the playoffs should be expanded to more than 8. It’s why March Madness is so popular and exciting. You are playing for something and fans buy in.

[Bigdaddyg1]

Check out the Orange Bowl attendance. If you aren’t a playoff team attendance will be a ghost town for other bowl games. It will be worse for every bowl after the playoff is expanded to 8. If you aren’t playing in one of this games good luck selling tickets. Which is why the playoffs should be expanded to more than 8. It’s why March Madness is so popular and exciting. You are playing for something and fans buy in.

I tend to agree. Hate to say it but if you took a poll today of every App student and alumni and asked them who we just beat and the name of the bowl would 50% know the answer?

[AppState89]

Looks like the G5 teams just fell flat on their faces to the P5 teams. I hate that as I was pulling for all the G5 teams to win. Tired of hearing about the P5 teams and all the damn money they get. The rich get richer. Liberty is the last man standing. Doesn't look good.

[AppGrad78]

I might be wrong for doing it but I pulled against the G5 teams in matchups against P5s, except for Troy’s game against Duke and Liberty’s game against Oregon. My rationale is 1) we need the Sun Belt to become the clear No. 1 conference among G5s (for example: SMU’s loss to Boston College knocks down the AAC a bit), and 2) we need Liberty to be nationally ranked and riding a long winning streak when the Flames come to Boone next season.

[hapapp]

I might be wrong for doing it but I pulled against the G5 teams in matchups against P5s, except for Troy’s game against Duke and Liberty’s game against Oregon. My rationale is 1) we need the Sun Belt to become the clear No. 1 conference among G5s (for example: SMU’s loss to Boston College knocks down the AAC a bit), and 2) we need Liberty to be nationally ranked and riding a long winning streak when the Flames come to Boone next season.

Liberty is one G5 I won't ever pull for under any circumstances.

[AppGrad78]

I might be wrong for doing it but I pulled against the G5 teams in matchups against P5s, except for Troy’s game against Duke and Liberty’s game against Oregon. My rationale is 1) we need the Sun Belt to become the clear No. 1 conference among G5s (for example: SMU’s loss to Boston College knocks down the AAC a bit), and 2) we need Liberty to be nationally ranked and riding a long winning streak when the Flames come to Boone next season.

Liberty is one G5 I won't ever pull for under any circumstances.

I understand your feelings. I’m not real happy with myself.

[Stonewall]

G5s shouldn’t beat P5s sans rare celestial alignment ….