Michigan Football: Appalachian State Returns for Rematch in 2014

With just over a week before Michigan's opener, athletic director Dave Brandon dropped a bombshell.

Appalachian State, which shocked the Wolverines to open the 2007 season, will return to the Big House for the 2014 opener.

The Mountaineers' 34-32 upset was perhaps the greatest upset in college football history.

Michigan fans thought they were off the hook when Michael Hart zig-zagged through the ASU defense for 54 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.

But dual-threat quarterback Armanti Edwards drove his team into position for the game-winning field goal with 26 seconds left. As if the script was already written, Michigan's last-second field goal attempt was blocked.

Scheduling a rematch has often been subject to debate among Michigan fans. Should the Wolverines avoid an embarrassing repeat, or jump at the chance for revenge?

Knowing Brandon's savvy, it's no surprise the game is on. Of course, you'd expect the matchup would be under the lights with a full array of fanfare.

"We look forward to facing Appalachian State again," Brandon said via the team's website.

Appalachian State, of course, was happy to oblige.

“To have the University of Michigan invite us back is the ultimate compliment for us as a program and a university,” ASU head coach Jerry Moore told the the Sports Network. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to have a new generation of players experience a game day at the Big House and to test themselves against college football’s all-time winningest program.”

Actually, the school from Boone, N.C. has much larger aspirations. You see, the Mountaineers would like nothing better than to take a step up from the FCS to the FBS.

"We have some aspirations if things were to go the right direction,” ASU athletic director Charlie Cobb told Fox Sports. "We're going to work and see if we can identify some opportunities, but also I think part of the strategy, frankly, was to let people know that we have these aspirations and doing it in an official capacity."

The Mountaineers will take the next step by opening the 2011 season at perennial power Virginia Tech.