Why this trip to Boone will be different

[ManAboutTown]

Their losses were to no 1, 7, 11 and 15 and they are ranked 18. They had a pretty good season considering the competition.

I'm not turning this thread into a Miss St debate. Their best win is at home against A&M. They beat bad teams, 2 very overrated teams, and lower level FBS teams. National Media had them playing in the SEC Championship game & Fitzgerald as a Heisman finalist. They have an inordinate amount of seniors starting. Context matters.

They were way overrated.

[CajunVic]

I'm not turning this thread into a Miss St debate. Their best win is at home against A&M. They beat bad teams, 2 very overrated teams, and lower level FBS teams. National Media had them playing in the SEC Championship game & Fitzgerald as a Heisman finalist. They have an inordinate amount of seniors starting. Context matters.

They were way overrated.

How about this. YOU WIN, so we can get back on to APP ST, which is what counts now and who is squarely in our cross hairs.

[ManAboutTown]

No, your prediction record as a whole. Mine (although much quieter) is a lot worse than yours, so I'm not hating. I love your enthusiasm and your analysis. I just know that App is probably not very happy about their own performance the last time, and I also expect them to come out and try to make a statement. I expect that this game is going to be a fight to the end, and think this is going to be the start of a football rivalry between us and App to rule this conference. Geaux Cajuns!

Agree 100% with them being disappointed in their effort against us. As Jay mentioned, I think the timing of that game benefited us greatly, because of the fact that Georgia Southern was their next opponent. However, they were coming off of a bye.

I see the Cajuns as having grown up a lot since then. Our depth has gotten better, more skilled and more confident. And I can't say enough how much I expect Napier to feature Chase Rogers. I just don't see bringing him back to let him watch from the sideline. IMO, he'll be a major factor in the game.

With all that said, we have to be ready to get down and dirty on the LOS. For 60 minutes.

[Million$Mullet]

We winning this thing boys

[fanof71]

MAT, you're on top of this 100% Chase Rogers will be an X Factor as will Malone (was he even thrown to in the first game?) I also think Billy opens up the playbook big time. Expect some exotic screen passes that we haven't run the entire year.

As far as intangibles, I can't overstate enough that App developed a tradition of not losing big games or championship games during the FCS years. It's their legacy and their identity, they won't give it up easily.

Going to be a great game, I love our chances...

[CrazyCajun]

I would also like to think that we have a lot of young guys that are getting reps on special teams now that will still red shirt that we didn’t have in that first game...and for a team that lacks depth every snap our 2 deep doesn’t have to take helps.

[ManAboutTown]

MAT, you're on top of this 100% Chase Rogers will be an X Factor as will Malone (was he even thrown to in the first game?) I also think Billy opens up the playbook big time. Expect some exotic screen passes that we haven't run the entire year.

As far as intangibles, I can't overstate enough that App developed a tradition of not losing big games or championship games during the FCS years. It's their legacy and their identity, they won't give it up easily.

Going to be a great game, I love our chances...

IIRC, Malone had 3 receptions, all for minimal gains. Another thing that I didn't mention in my OP was that Bradley only had 1 reception in the first meeting. In fact, I believe he was only targeted twice. That will not happen again. He has become a premier playmaker for us (which I always expected him to be, the minute he signed his LOI to play here). He and Dre' have really developed chemistry inside the RedZone down the stretch of this season. (That 50/50 ball against Monroe was so perfectly executed. Nunez put the ball on the spot and Bradley high-pointed it perfectly).

[ULvictory]

If you look back at our first game with App, we gave up what......10 points on turnovers in our own territory?

We are much better than we were then, and our players have a lot more confidence now. If we limit our mistakes and play smart, fundamental football; we can definitely win this game.

[Rougarou]

If the defense that played last week shows up and Nunez plays to his potential, we win. App St. certainly has the advantage, but the Cajuns have a really good chance.

[ManAboutTown]

If you look back at our first game with App, we gave up what......10 points on turnovers in our own territory?

We are much better than we were then, and our players have a lot more confidence now. If we limit our mistakes and play smart, fundamental football; we can definitely win this game.

We fumbled inside of their RedZone, had a couple critical penalties that kept their first scoring drive alive. Garror was also called 'down' on the interception and he was not down. He may have flipped the field, or scored, had the call been correct. We also had Corey Turner or Terik Miller (can't remember which) drop a pick 6 in the first quarter, down deep in their territory.

[MetryCajun]

Good analysis, but another important stat is AppSt has not given up more than 17 points since playing Penn St in game one. By today’s standards that is phenomenal. I think we will complete again, but they are the more complete team.
UL 17
APP St 31
I may bet the Cajuns to cover, but I am not sold we can win the LOS to keep it close. I agree with others that Nunez will have to play a stellar game for us to have a chance.

[ManAboutTown]

Good analysis, but another important stat is AppSt has not given up more than 17 points since playing Penn St in game one. By today’s standards that is phenomenal. I think we will complete again, but they are the more complete team.
UL 17
APP St 31
I may bet the Cajuns to cover, but I am not sold we can win the LOS to keep it close. I agree with others that Nunez will have to play a stellar game for us to have a chance.

Georgia Southern dropped 34 on their asses.
If you go back and look at their schedule, outside of Ark St (which admittedly, is impressive), they have not shut down a good offense. I'm not saying they are bums, but I am saying it's a bit misleading to think they are a dominant defense.