College Football Week 3: 5 bold predictions

1. Appalachian State beats the University of Miami at home, in Boone, NC

The majority of college football fans who tuned into the first weekend of college football got to watch Appalachian State almost pull off an upset against Tennessee. The game was played in Neyland Stadium at night, and was the SEC Network kickoff to the season. Tennessee fans were convinced, from the beginning, that App State would be an easy win. Who knows, maybe the players had convinced themselves of that as well. Either way, the Tennessee Volunteers played poorly in the first half, giving up turnovers and allowing the App State rushing game to get going. Although the Volunteers ended up winning, the nation learned that App State means business.

The Mountaineers are actually a good team. At the time they played UT, they were ranked 40 in the FBS rankings. For those college football fans who don’t know, let me repeat myself. App State is an FBS team now. Not only are they an FBS, but they are a strong one at that. Appalachian State went 11-2 last year, with losses to Clemson and Arkansas State. Furthermore, Appalachian State fans who attended the game in Knoxville, TN, claimed that this year’s team is the best one they have EVER had. While that’s a bold statement from a fan, the point is well taken. They have the ability to knock off a top-25 team.

The Miami Hurricanes have struggled to remain relevant in recent years. With new coach Mark Richt, they hope to bring back some of the magic of the 80s. The Hurricanes have a decent quarterback in Brad Kaaya, and a strong running game if they need it. While Miami will need to score, their defense will decide the winner of the game.

Appalachian State’s offense is designed to confuse and trouble FBS powerhouses. They don’t quite run an Option or Wing T style offense, but they bring in characteristics from both of them. Perhaps the most interesting part of their offense is the offensive lineman splits. Instead of leave significant room in between the o-line’s feet, they scrunch together, leaving virtually no space between the lineman. And it works.

Because the lineman are so close together, it forces the opposing defensive line to squeeze in, placing the defensive end almost inside the tackles. The App State offense lives and dies on reversals and options in the run game, which usually have to be taken outside or to the wide side of the field. Due to the confined defensive line, the o-lineman can block down, leaving the entire edge unsealed and prime for a big gain. On multiple occasions, Tennessee’s defensive lineman got sucked in without sealing the edge, and that was all she wrote. The Mountaineers ran all over the Vols until they made some second half changes. But even so, the App State running game was potent.

Will the Hurricane defense be able to stop the Mountaineers before they get going? If the game were at home maybe, but since it is in Boone, the Mountaineers could take over early. The Hurricanes have to score and win the line of scrimmage in order to win.

At the end of the day, Appalachian State will have a strong enough run game to beat the Hurricanes, upsetting them  in Boone, North Carolina.