Potential Upset

I hate to say that I am worried this week that Appalachian State may look past an inferior opponent. Typically I wouldn't worry about this with coach Moore at the helm, but this week has a lot of scary ingredients. And this year's Mountaineers lack the discipline to instill my normal confidence.

First and most importantly App has a huge game next week which could decide the SoCon champion vs. Elon.

2nd UTC's head coach was the defensive coordinator of the team that knocked the Mountaineers out of the playoffs last year. Yes, he coached Richmond and UTC isn't the same patsy they have been in the past (3-3 in the SoCon).

3rd App is going to have to adjust to playing without one of their star offensive performers. Coco Hillary went down with a season ending injury to his right knee on Tuesday.

One interesting thing to look at is the schedule and how it has been a nice gradual warmup for Elon as the Mountaineers have gradually moved from Wofford, a pure run team, to gradually more passing offenses in GA Southern and Furman who are split fairly evenly between pass and run. Now they play a pass dominant team in UTC followed by pass happy Elon.

B.J. Coleman is the qb for the UTC Mocs. He transferred in from University of Tennessee where he didn't believe he got a fair shot. He is currently fourth in the SoCon at 209.1/ game total offense passing yards, 213.8/game and fifth in passing efficiency at 125.1 (Armanti is 2nd in country in both total offense at 361.9 yds, and passing efficiency at 167.9) . Nooga has given up only 9 sacks all year, but their running game is non-existent. Look for Jabari Fletcher, defensive end, to have a big day rushing the qb for App's d-line as he won't have to worry about the running game.

All this being said I wouldn't be surprised to see the Mountaineers play poorly in the first half and take over in the second half much like the Wofford game. App wins in the Rock this week and sets up the monster Elon matchup we have been waiting for on November 14th.


Go Apps.