The Mountaineers tied Troy for the Sun Belt title last year. Can Appalachian State football return to conference dominance in the upcoming season?
Since transitioning from the FCS in 2014, Appalachian State almost instantly became a Sun Belt powerhouse. The Mountaineers have gone 30-9 over the past three seasons. Scott Satterfield’s team has claimed victory in three bowl games in a row. And in each of the past two seasons they also won a share of the Sun Belt conference title.
In terms of moving up from the lower subdivision, few teams have been as successful as the Mountaineers. Appalachian State’s rise has culminated in one of the most successful transitions in the 21st century.
There were some changes in Boone this offseason that will test the Mountaineers in 2018. Cornerstone players have graduated, while key staff also departed to take new jobs elsewhere. If they hope to remain among the elite in the Sun Belt, Appalachian State must now find a way to reload rather than going into full rebuild mode.
Satterfield and the staff that remain will have their hands full this year. But the Sun Belt is also wide open enough that the Mountaineers will once again be in the thick of the race. And with the league breaking its 10 teams into two divisions, App State now needs only to win its division and then a 13th game for its first outright title. Can Appalachian State break through for a third straight conference crown?
Let’s break down the Mountaineers offense and defense to see what kind of shape they are in for the 2018 season. Then we can more effectively evaluate their 2018 schedule and determine where Appalachian State might land in the pecking order this fall.