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It has been some time since Mountaineer fans have experienced a winning streak. Nearly two years to be exact. Appalachian has a chance to extend its winning streak when it welcomes Louisiana-Monroe to The Rock for Black Saturday, which is always reserved for the best or toughest opponent on the schedule. Monroe was an easy choice for Black Saturday as its history in the Sun Belt dates back to 2001 and includes a Sun Belt Championship in 2005. Monroe played in their first bowl game in 2012 when they lost to Ohio in the Independence Bowl. The Warhawks left the division formerly known as I-AA in 1993 after winning a national championship over Marshall in 1987. This is the twenty-first season for Monroe in Division I and they have only generated one winning season, in 2012. Monroe went 6-6 three times in that same period of time. Getting to 6-6 this season would be a tall task, not only for Monroe, but also for Appalachian. Both teams certainly have their sites set on at least breaking even in 2014. Monroe would have to win on the road for the first time this season. Appalachian would most likely need to win both home games and steal one at Lafayette or Arkansas State. Chances are slim for either team to pull it off, but the race to six wins is a major accomplishment in the Sun Belt. Even if a 6-6 record is not rewarded with a bowl berth, just being able to tell recruits that you were bowl-eligible is a big deal. Before either team gets to six wins, one team has to get their fourth win this weekend, while the other will get that sixth loss. Monroe has dropped four straight games while the Mountaineers are feeling confident and hope to ride the momentum.



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NP

App State 28

Monroe, NC 17

Almost Heaven 26
Almost Mississippi 22

ULM is great at rushing the qb, I think they lead the SBC in qb sacks, could be a long day for Lamb. App wins a low scoring game, 21-17

Mountain Dynasty 28
Duck Dynasty 14

ASU ............. 21
Louis-Monroe...24

ULM 28
App 13

Rifles 27.0
Duck guns 10gauge

I've got a feeling, that we turn the corner this weekend, oh yeah!

App 31

ULM 30

God's Country 28
Fifth Circle of Hell 13

ULM will try to put pressure on rs freshman Taylor Lamb. Will be interesting to see how we counter the pressure and rush packages (double tight ends, two backs, etc). I think we can win this game, but ULM will come in and try to be physical with us like South Alabama. I want to see us be physical back, limit penalties and turnovers, and show up prepared and ready to play. We've won two games and started a trend. Now it's time to extend the streak.

Hungry Mountainmen 28
Tastes Like Chicken 21

3 in a row 35
5 in a row 24

Monroe's defense will probably hold us under 30 points. That being said, Monroe will rely heavily on the pass, which means we will be coming after their quarterback. I believe that App will disrupt Monroe's offense to the extent that Monroe will be limited to one touchdown and a couple of field goals.

App 24
Swampettes 13

Have to first say that the nicknames are hilarious. How this team hung with A&M is beyond me (even though A&M has been exposed). This team and game is really hard to pin down and predict. My gut says that we will win by about 20. They can't run the ball at all (blitz the crap out of them!) and they struggled with a Troy team that is horrible. We simply can't have stupid penalties that extend drives and can't let their big QB get comfortable in the pocket and hit underneath stuff that creates YAC. A solid defensive effort coupled with another big day from Cox should supply us with another win.

App Daddies- 27 (allowing for the obligitory missed PAT)
South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs- 20

Brain took over to supply the final score prediction

ULM's kicker has hit two 51 yarders this season and is in the running for best kicker in the nation. These close scores predictions are scary.

Looks like a disappointing crowd so far, there are 3,500 non student seats unsold. Are our fans that pampered that 45 degree weather keeps them away?

Reach out to your friends and bring someone up the mountain this weekend.

I think we are all conflicted with our predictions. This team gives no insight as to how good App is right now nor do they (in my mind at least) give any insight as to how good AK St or TX St are. Based on the Troy scores I would say that ULM is not very good and we should stomp them. But based on the close scores against better competition I lean towards a lower scoring close game. Hopefully our coaching staff is really working up a great defensive game plan. I wonder if Texas A&M has just kind of quit on the season?

17-16 Bad guys.......just feels like its time for the Kicking game to show its ugly face again.

Looks like a disappointing crowd so far, there are 3,500 non student seats unsold. Are our fans that pampered that 45 degree weather keeps them away?

Are we going to see more of this with Sunbelt games? How many fans do we reasonably expect to see from LA, Idaho and Texas? How many GA State fans purchased tickets? We might just be capped out with App fans once we hit the mid 20K range- despite the opponent. The weather definitely plays a part. I wonder who the last home opponent was that purchased the most tickets?

APP 31
LAM 18