I have to say that the best story of 2007 happened in the world of college football.
It was "the Big House Beating"—at least that's how I've been referring to it.
That would be the MASSIVE upset that sent the Michigan Wolverines football program and all of its faithful into a free-fall of endless perplexity.
How did this happen to a consistently top-25 ranked football program, and the most successful program in NCAA history?
This is the most storied program in all of college football, and in my opinion, the upset made the Ohio State vs. Michigan game seem a bit less meaningful—unlike last year when these two powerhouses collided and had everyone begging for a rematch in the BCS National Championship game.
You have to admit: the kids from Appalachian State gave every ounce of their blood, sweat, tears, and emotion to set the world buzzing.
It also made us realize that the "lesser programs" have to get respect. We shouldn't just take these smaller schools for granted and denote those battles as a "gimme game" any longer.
This kind of upset has happened in college basketball before, and the thought in every person's mind was, "This doesn't happen in college football. EVER."
Well, it did this year!
Appalachian State has won the Division I-AA (FCS) national championship for three consecutive years. They went 5-2 in conference play and 13-2 for the season.
Sorry Wolverine fans, but neither of those two losses came from you.
I don't mean to take anything away from Michigan and what they have accomplished in the history of their storied football program—but you have to be better prepared for games like this. You could pin it down to coaching and bad game planning if you'd like.
But I'm going to say that the players on the field just didn't get the job done. Period.
They looked like they were just going through the motions, and they paid the price for it—by becoming the first team ranked in the top 10 at the beginning of the season to fall completely out of the top 25 the next week.
Congratulations Michigan (not something to be proud of, but congratulations anyway).
I am an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, so I promise you that nothing made me smile on opening day more than that AMAZING upset.
By far the best story of 2007!
Hats off to the Mountaineers of Appalachian State on your third consecutive National Championship.
I hope that we'll see you on the schedule of the big programs again, to show that you have the respect you deserve and to let you know that you too can play with the big boys.
Comments (15) Add a comment »
from 4 months ago
good article and as natural tendencies force me to do...go blue
but honestly app state should join the ranks of the acc, the could be one of the powerhouses of the I-A rather than the gods of the I-AA
from 4 months ago
App doesnt have the stadium capacity for div 1, it only seats 16000 expanding to 20; they did draw an average of about 25000 to games this year but getting to a bathroom or consession stand next to impossible,,ther is no major or even minor airport nearby, its an hours drive to a city of even 50000 people so nowhere to really draw the crowds necessary for div 1. They do have the players these last few yrs to compete with the big boys but as a App fan its not really that appealing to be an also ran the way most of the other programs that have done this are now,,,Marshall for example.,,,,,Also a VOTED ON national championship game is just that. Its taken 12 playoff games for Apps 3 titles won ON the field.
Randy
from 4 months ago
Appalachian State joining the ACC will be the only way they get games with Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Duke. They will not give us a game. North Carolina seems so bent on defending its prestige in the state and they won't play us. When we asked them for a game they refused and went out and scheduled McNeese State.
I really don't see us joining 1-A and to be honest with you I don't want the Mountaineers to. There is nothing to play for. What would you rather have - an honest to goodness championship earned on the field or a nameless bowl game ? The Mountaineers could join 1-A and go undefeated for the next five years and never win anything - simply because the powers that be in the bigger programs won't let them. My understanding is that Florida, LSU, and Georgia are backing out of their contracts to play us.
from 4 months ago
Flo0rida State has backed away from the Apps. also. The only way that the Nation will see The great quartereback Edwars, is if ESPN wakes up and creates a made for TV game with a good BCS program.
from 4 months ago
Florida, LSU, and Georgia were asked if they would honor their commitments to us and they said they would so we don't have to worry about that. Besides they are SEC schools that can match App's speed unlike Michigan and the rest of the Fat 10
from 4 months ago
App State is the best story in college football for 2007. I went to
the Big House and to the 3 Peet Win last Friday, what a season.
This is a very special story and team, one that may not be matched
for many years to come.
A. Edwards is the most exciting if not the very best 19 year old
player in the country.
from 4 months ago
I think the FBS have placed a moratorium on new teams joining their ranks until 2011 or 2012. So, we have at least four more years for the FBS to get their act together, institute a playoff system, and then consider whether or not we want to join. I agree though; No playoff, no reason to move "up". By the way, Kidd Brewer is gonna be the bomb once the renovations are finished. Will it meet FBS standards though?
from 4 months ago
I love ASU and was so proud of my Team this Year. We beat a good Michigan team. They were one win away from the Big Ten championship. They were so much bigger, but ASU had a special team this year. I am not saying we could have beaten everyone out there , but our offense could have competed with anyone. We have great speed and and good athletes. Please understand, we are so proud of our team and we don't want to disrespect D 1A athletes because they play they tail off. We are just glad that our system has an UNDISPUTED National Championship. Good luck to all athletes in the Bowl games and thanks to Michigan for stepping up and playing us.
from 4 months ago
Hey Ohio State: Is that invitation to the 'Shoe? We're there.
from 4 months ago
Florida, LSU, and Georgia are going to honor their commitments to play APP. UNC and Florida State both declined games for the 08 season. Maybe we could join the ACC, thats the only way they will play us, is if someone else makes them.
from 4 months ago
ASU grad (avid fan since the 70's) and I really prefer the championship system. However, I believe the FBS will eventually improve their ridiculous bowl system and ASU should be there waiting when that happens. I want them to move to "1A" so they can get games with UNC, USC, NCSU, ECU, etc, but I do worry about what conference affiliation they will seek. Where will they land? But they are obviously ready to take on bigger challenges. I think the fan base is ready to step up with more scholarships and the facilities are on track for improvement. GO APPS!
from 4 months ago
As a stusent athlete at App talks have been in place to move up to conference usa but the money is not there for all other sports football is not the only sport
from 4 months ago
I don't know that teams are afraid of ASU, it's just a no win situation for them. If they win, so what you beat a 1aa team( albeit the best 1aa team), and if you lose(and for most ACC programs that's a distinct possibility) your season is down the crapper. If you're going to pay a 1aa team to come to your stadium, make sure it's one you can beat. I do agree with DOm about UNC being a weak, gutless, joke of a football program. AT least Wake, NC State, Clemson, and South Carollina has played ASU over the years. We have had to watch UNC schedule Furman(lost to them 1 year 28-3), James Madison, William & Mary, and McNeese State.
from 4 months ago
LET'S COMPARE APPALACHIAN STATE AND UNC FOOTBALL TEAMS AND FACILITIES.
APPALACHIAN STATE UNC
1. THREE STRAIGHT NATIONAL FOOTBALL 1. ZERO NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
2. THREE STRAIGHT SOUTHERN CONFERENCE 2. ZERO ACC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
CHAMPIONSHIPS
3. FROM 2001-2007 HAS WON 34 OF 35 HOME 3. HAS NOT WON 34 GAMES TOTAL IN THOSE
GAMES YEARS TOTAL.
4. 39 WINS AND SIX LOSES (2005-2007) 4. THREE STRAIGHT (PLUS) LOSING SEASONS
5. STADIUM (KIDD BREWER) SOLD OUT ALL 5. PROBABLY NOT SOLD OUT (NOT SURE)
SEASON
6. VIEW FROM STADIUM (4,400 FOOT HOWARD'S 6. PINE TREES
KNOB
7. JERRY MOORE (NATIONAL COACH OF THE 7. UNC COACH (WON 4 GAMES AND GOT A RAISE.
YEAR 2005, 2006, 4TH IN 2007)
8. WILL PLAY ALL COMERS 8. U (UNIVERSITY) OF N (NEW) C (CHICKENS)
HAS PLAYED AUBURN, LSU, MICHIGAN, WAS SCHEDULED TO PLAY ASU AND CHICKENED
SOUTH CAROLINA, CLEMSON AND IS OUT. I THOUGHT THE UNVERSITY OF SOUTH
SCHEDULED TO PLAY GEORGIA AND FLORIDA. CAROLINA WAS THE CHICKENS.
CONGRADULATIONS THREE TIMES STRAIGHT NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS!
GO MOUNTAINEERS!
from 4 months ago
Mickey Powers compared ASU to UNC. Well, being a fan of both (if that's possible), may I add that ASU began its run on top of the world after Jerry Moore had been head coach for quite some time. Albeit, our Mountaineers now have success. But to say UNC is unsuccessful is to not give the whole story. I wonder how old Mr. Powers is? I remember UNC being ranked in the top 10 routinely under Dick Crum back in the 80s. I remember several years under now-Texas head coach Mack Brown (who coached at App as well) that the Heels won several games, more than 34 in a three year span. The only reason UNC does not have an ACC title in the last 20 years or so is because of the "slightly" better competition in the league. Of course, having those Seminoles in the conference didn't help. Three times, Carolina lost only 1 conference game...to FSU. Maybe Mr. Powers should compare both schools when they were at their peak. He seems to dumping on the heels too much here.
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