In a rare meeting of the two current national champions in their divisions, the Louisiana State Tigers challenge the Mountaineers of Appalachian State in the opening game of the 2008 season.
One year ago, App. State went into the alma mater of LSU coach Les Miles, the University of Michigan, and defeated the Wolverines on their own field. Four months later, Michigan beat defending national champion Florida in the Citrus Bowl.
Fifty years ago this season, Ohio native Paul Dietzel brought the National Championship to LSU, defeating Clemson 7-0 in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-0. Dietzel left LSU after the 1961 season to coach at West Point.
Following a stint as coach at South Carolina, Dietzel left the field, and eventually retired to the mountain resort town of Blowing Rock, N.C.
Blowing Rock. Five miles from Boone, N.C. The same Boone, N.C. that is home to Appalachian State University.
Adding to this strange confluence of events is the fact that Dietzel is publishing an auto-biography, "They Call Me Coach", due to hit the shelves the same week as App St takes on LSU. In Dietzel's last four years at LSU he went 36-7 with one national title and two other seasons with Top 10 rankings; #3 in '59 and #4 in '61. In Miles' three seasons at LSU he has one national title and a #3 in '06 and a #6 in '05.
Coincidence? Nonsense? Folly? Perhaps all three. But there is no escaping the possibility of a Mountaineer upset. If you can beat Michigan, you can beat LSU. Just ask the old Wolverine, Les Miles.
12 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment
Colin Clark about 1 year ago
It will be a wonderful and strange game.
I still think LSU will have won before the fourth quarter begins, but you have to respect an awfully talented Mountaineer team.
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Timothy Croley about 1 year ago
If LSU loses I will not be surprised, because everyone will say "Hey, remember what happened at the Big House." But then again I will be surprised for the fact that everyone can see it coming and LSU didn't prepare and take it seriously enough. So LSU better pound it to them early and often to eliminate any chances of the next biggest upset in college football history.
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Paul Augustin, Jr. about 1 year ago
LSU and appl. state have some recent history. LSU won 24-0 but was expected to win by a lot more. Appl. State out-rushed LSU in that game.
I think that last year's game against Michigan has put the Tigers on high (upset) alert. Hopefully.
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Justin Goar about 1 year ago
if the michigan upset hadn't had happened i'd be a little more worried about this game.
they'll be no sneaking up on LSU. but app st is the best the FCS has to offer and could probably beat about 30 or so FBS schools so the tigers won't take them lightly.
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Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
LSU to roll...
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Jimson Cuenta about 1 year ago
LSU FOOTBALL
A TRADITION . . . SINCE AUGUST 2003
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BabyTate about 1 year ago
Hey now, that's too hard on the Bayou Bengals.
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Kim McClure 12 months ago
If I remember correctly, ASU held LSU scoreless for 3 entire quarters the last time they played. LSU scored 24 points in the 4th quarter to take home the 24-0 win.
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Lisa Horne 12 months ago
While App St may have surprised Michigan as a disguised cupcake with teeth, they won't have that same scenario playing LSU. They flew under the radar last year, this year, no such luck. LSU rolls over App St after a tough first quarter of getting over the first game jitters.
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Lisa Horne 12 months ago
While App St may have surprised Michigan as a disguised cupcake with teeth, they won't have that same scenario playing LSU. They flew under the radar last year, this year, no such luck. LSU rolls over App St after a tough first quarter of getting over the first game jitters.
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Terry Rafferty 12 months ago
I am a big App fan, but the biggest reason I think we will lose to LSU is the speed difference. The Slow Ten does not compete with the SEC ain any way shape or form. That being said, I thought we would get killed last year against the cupcake Wolverines. Go Mountaineers!
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Pat Wash 12 months ago
To coin a phrase......it aint over till the FAT LADY SINGS.....
the FAT LADY is standing in the wings...
waiting to perform.
GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!!!
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