(09-08-2020 09:03 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote: (09-08-2020 07:33 AM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote: My head might explode if App State wouldn't be included in a 24 team AAC. Clearly, ties with Georgia with the fifth most wins in all of FBS since 2015, Appalachian has been at the very least the best program among the MAC, C-USA, and the SB.
It's all moot, anyway. This is not happening.
NIU won 57 from 2010-14 with an Orange Bowl. App St won 54 since 2015.
Unless you develop a Boise-like brand winning multiple BCS bowls, it won't matter. Neither fits the institutional profile.
App is definitely not there yet, and I know no one who says they are, but the early returns are promising. Since the 1978 1-A/1-AA divide, only Marshall had more success in its first six seasons moving to FBS from the lower subdivision. (Boise's rate of winning accelerated after those first six years, when they beat Oklahoma and so on.)
The goal is most definitely to be the east coast version of Boise State.
Since 2015, App State has gone 54-12.
- Three of the 12 losses were in overtime to Tennessee in '16, UMass in '17 (by far the worst loss in past five years), and Penn State in '18.
- Another loss was by one point on a missed field goal to Wake Forest in '17.
- Troy in '16, ULM in '17, and Ga. Southern in '19 were all by a touchdown or less.
- Only five losses in the last five years were by more than a touchdown: '15 national runner up Clemson, Ark. State in '15, Miami (FL) in '16, '17 national runner up Georgia, and Georgia Southern in '18.
Obviously, App State still has a lot to prove to get into Boise State's ratified air, especially with yet another new head coach, but to not even be considered for a 24 team AAC? Yeesh.
EDIT: App State also missed out on a chance for a 55th win in the past five years, and a 12th win for the 2018 season, when the Southern Miss game was canceled due to a hurricane. App State offered to play their "home" game in Hattiesburg and Chattanooga, but USM declined, citing the contract which stated the game had to be played in Boone.