Why this trip to Boone will be different

[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.

[CajunPride]

In addition to above analysis, we will play our 3rd game in less than a year in Boone. It is kind of like our second home or camp in the mountains. We will play loose and win or lose , leave it all on the field.

[Esqueleto]

In addition to above analysis, we will play our 3rd game in less than a year in Boone. It is kind of like our second home or camp in the mountains. We will play loose and win or lose , leave it all on the field.

Yes. I LOVE that we've been there and done that just 5 weeks ago. It should feel routine and allow them to play loosie goosie. Not gonna be intimidating this time.

[ManAboutTown]

App St schedule of offenses played - TOTAL OFFENSE NATIONAL RANKING (out of 129 teams)

Penn St - #50 (Loss)
Charlotte - #116
Gardner-Webb - (FCS)
South Al - #105
Ark St - #21
Louisiana - #30
Georgia Sou - #114 (Loss)
Coastal - #85
Texas St - #120
Ga St - #89
Troy - #79 (w/out Starting QB and WR)

[MetryCajun]

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.

When I look at like opponents they held those teams between 7-10 points. We gave up a lot more than that to the same teams. I could see a scenario where we score over 20pts, but I do not see one where we hold the them under 28pts. I know it is a taboo subject on this board, but I think we have to be +2 in the turnover category to pull the upset. Can’t wait for Saturday!

[fanof71]

https://www.journalnow.com/sports/as...a0a2bda64.html

Some back story information on the game this Saturday. Note the attendance figure from last weeks Thanksgiving Weekend game...

[KajunKrazy]

I thought we'd compete well with App St the first time around, and we did. I thought our explosive tendencies on offense would force App to take some chances in the air, and they did. (One resulted in a turnover, several resulted in PBU and a couple ended with awful PI calls). I think if we can start fast and put pressure on Zach Thomas to throw the ball, there's a chance we can run them out of their own building. Furthermore, I trust our staff to exploit the Mountaineers' deficiencies this second time around.

We've also added some KEY pieces back to our puzzle, offensively and defensively. Namely, Chauncey Manac. Did some research and found some pretty interesting stats.
With a healthy Manac in conference games: 25.4 Points Per Game/170.6 rushing yards per game.
Without Manac: 33.2 PPG / 261.6 RPG

Big differences there, and they are extremely relevant differences, as App St will try to beat us in the trenches and on the ground (especially considering the weather). Having Manac is a major deal. I would also add that Ferrod Gardner has taken a more significant role since the App St game, and IMO is one of the best athletes we have on that side of the ball.

Offensively, we add Chase Rogers, who gives you a true intermediate passing threat in the middle of the field. We have not had that the entire year. Will Napier trust Andre to exploit that matchup? IDK. App St linebackers are athletic and safeties are opportunistic. But just having the option is going to help us tremendously. I think the threat of the slip screen and the seam fly will neutralize the LBs in the run game, if we choose to test them.

Truth be told, Nunez had his worst game of the season at App St. I expect a marked improvement Saturday. I think he's ready for redemption at The Rock, and I think he'll be ready to play.

I'm not going to tip toe around it... Cajuns Win Saturday.

I hope you are right on your prediction but with all that said, app st probably played their least inspired football game of the year that day. They went through the motions and beat us by 10. They'll come out with a much greater since of urgency this time around.