(09-11-2019 01:44 PM)Warhawkman Wrote:  

(09-11-2019 12:46 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(09-03-2019 09:07 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  I believe App State also received a couple more votes in the AP Poll this week. I think they're technically tied for "#34". App State and Troy are also maintaining some votes in the Coaches' Poll.

If App State can keep on winning the next 3 or so games, they could possibly be ranked. I anticipate a lot of fluctuation will happen within the Top 25 over the next 3 weeks, especially toward the bottom of the polls.

If App beats a 3-0 UNC (wins over South Carolina, Miami, and Wake Forest) I believe App gets in the Top 25.

After the Charlotte game, I think App loses, sadly. Wouldn't have said the same last November.

I think it's still a toss up Brown seems to just be playing the game where it's close in the 4th and they snake it at the end. App is pretty tough so we'll see. Their QB is going to be very good though

Thomas' stats look nice on paper but i'm sure some more digging on drive charts would show some inefficiencies that weren't present last season. Much of that is driven by - and this was something I mentioned in August on Yosef's Cabin which was derided as false - the changing responsibilities of the offensive line. App probably was Top 7 or so (behind option teams) in sacks given up since 2014. Now there is a more traditional blocking scheme and play design with pro style concepts that are leading to issues in holding up in the front.

Run blocking has changed as well. Many of the plays Evans made last season were largely the result of "see hole, hit hole"; and that's likely why Marcus Cox was never given a serious look at the professional level. Against Charlotte, Evan's first run was the result of hitting the hole, but most runs in between, including his last, required him to make room where there was none. He was dancing in the second level, choosing the path off the pads of the lineman and making the next man miss. It was refreshing to see the skill level raised a bar at the position from what had been needed in Satterfields offense.

42 points and 56 points looks good but margin of victory seems to be a greater indicator of how good a team is. I think most people would've been fine with a 21-6 win over Charlotte during the Satterfield years. 56-41 just looks far different.

Side note: Reynolds made some throws I haven't seen made at App by an opposing team since Bridges lit App up in their first game with USA in 2014; final score was 41-7. He may have hit throws he won't hit again all season. Dropping back shoulder dimes right in the breadbasket on balls that traveled 40 yards in the air. It was impressive with tight man coverage underneath.