Tag: Appalachian State

College Football Rankings, Season Predictions: Sun Belt Spring Version 2022

Sun Belt spring football rankings and predictions with best and worst case scenarios for every team

Sun Belt college football rankings and predictions with the realistic best and worst case records and quick analysis – the 2022 spring version.

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The Sun Belt just got a whole lot bigger, cooler, and more interesting with a shocking expansion that should take the conference up another level.

FCS powerhouse James Madison gets to join in right away, and Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss were able to leave Conference USA and get in for the 2022 football season.

Here’s the problem – several Sun Belt programs that made strides last year are going to have tougher schedules to deal with. Several teams should be better, but might not have the results to show it.

The rankings are based on how good the teams should be and not the final projected records. Keeping in mind that this all could/might/will change when we make the final calls in August …

– 2022 College Football Schedules By Teams: All 131 Schools

Tennessee State’s all-time records against FBS programs

Get to know the Irish’s 2023 home opener opponent a bit.

Notre Dame has announced that its 2023 home opener will be played against Tennessee State, a Historically Black College and University. On the surface, it’s a great opportunity for a lesser-known program to receive national exposure. However, it also will be the first time the Irish have played a Football Championship Subdivision opponent. The reaction to this news within the fan base mostly has been lukewarm at best and outright negative at worst.

Notre Dame presently is the only Football Bowl Subdivision opponent the Tigers have scheduled for the future. That makes the decision either more of a headscratcher from the Irish’s point of view or it merely makes the Irish an outlier. Either way, the Tigers don’t get to play FBS schools very much, so you better believe they will be hyped for the opportunity. In the spirit of that, let’s take a look at how they have done against teams from college football’s top level:

Lions meet with Appalachian State DT Demetrius Taylor

The Detroit Lions meet with Appalachian State DT Demetrius Taylor at the Miami Hurricanes pro day

The Lions have paid a little more attention than normal to a defensive tackle prospect in advance of the 2022 NFL draft. Per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network and verified by another source at the pro day, the Lions met with Appalachian State DT Demetrius Taylor after the Miami Hurricanes pro day.

Taylor is a Miami native and appeared at the pro day to work out with several Hurricanes prospects, a group that includes late-round WR Charleston Rambo and S Bubba Bolden

Taylor is generally projected as a late-round pick or potential priority free agent after the draft. The 6-1, 290-pounder was a 3-time first-team All-Sun Belt performer with 25 career sacks for the Mountaineers. Taylor had a decent workout:

Because it happened at a pro day workout, the meeting does not count as one of the Lions’ 30 pre-draft visits.

Navy Shuler commits to Tennessee

Heath Shuler’s son Navy Shuler commits to the Vols.

Freshman quarterback Navy Shuler has committed to the Vols.

The 6-foot, 200-pound signal-caller played at Appalachian State from 2020-21. He is the son of former Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler.

Shuler signed with Appalachian State on Dec. 18, 2019 during the early signing period. He enrolled at Appalachian State in Jan. 2020.

The football early signing period took place Dec. 15-17 for the 2022 recruiting class.

Tennessee signed 20 players during the early signing period.

2022 early signing period: Tracker for Vols’ signees

Next level: Analysis of Tennessee’s signees

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

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Former Clemson QB balls out in bowl loss

Former Clemson QB and transfer journeyman Chase Brice played his final game of the season today, leading his Appalachian State Mountaineers against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Boca Raton Bowl. Despite a great game from Brice, who …

Former Clemson QB and transfer journeyman Chase Brice played his final game of the season today, leading his Appalachian State Mountaineers against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Despite a great game from Brice, who finished with 317 yards through the air and 3 TDs, his team ended up getting blown out 59-38. Brice went down early in the 4th quarter with an injury and did not return.

With his 300-yard performance, Brice broke the record for most passing yards in a season for an App State QB.

Most Clemson fans remember Brice for his massive 4th quarter comeback win over Syracuse in 2018, filling in for an injured Trevor Lawrence — including a clutch 4th-and-6 conversion that kept the game-wining drive alive. It was a win that was crucial for a Tiger team that ended up winning the national title.

Brice plans to return to App State for the 2022 season.

 

ESPN ‘College GameDay’ picks the conference championship games

Who did the analysts on ESPN College GameDay pick to win Saturday’s conference championship games?

It’s a big weekend of college football with eight conference championship games starting with an 11 a.m. kickoff of Baylor and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State’s looking for an opportunity to work their way into the College Football Playoff if they can pull off a win over the Bears in the Big 12 championship game.

Likewise, Georgia, Michigan, and Cincinnati are hoping to hold serve and keep their spots in the top four of the latest playoff rankings with wins.

On ESPN’s College GameDay, Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band was the panel’s guest picker, and below we’ve got each of the picks for the eight conference championship games.

ESPN’s College GameDay selects Championship Weekend winners

Who will be crowned conference champions?

The final weekend of the regular season is upon us, it went quick didn’t it? The Irish are at home, watching what happens today, hoping for some chaos to happen to sneak into the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive season. The feel is different, especially after Brian Kelly left and Marcus Freeman is set to take over. Notre Dame needs chaos and if you take a look below, see if Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso and guest Zac Brown select as winner.

Nice honor for former Clemson QB Chase Brice

Nice honor for a former Clemson signal-caller. Appalachian State quarterback Chase Brice was named Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year as the All-Sun Belt teams were announced Thursday. A first-year App State quarterback after playing previously at …

Nice honor for a former Clemson signal-caller.

Appalachian State quarterback Chase Brice was named Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year as the All-Sun Belt teams were announced Thursday.

A first-year App State quarterback after playing previously at Clemson and Duke, Brice ranks No. 2 in the Sun Belt in touchdown passes (22), No. 2 in yards per attempt (8.6), No. 3 in passing yards per game (241.8), No. 3 in completion percentage (63.8) and No. 3 in passing efficiency (151.7).

Brice completed 82-of-136 passes for 1,023 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions in 25 career games at Clemson. He was an unsung hero of Clemson’s 2018 national championship campaign, entering in relief in a 27-23 come-from-behind victory against Syracuse to preserve what would become Clemson’s perfect 15-0 campaign.

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

 

What They Are Saying: Chase Brice shines in App State’s upset win over Coastal

Former Clemson and current Appalachian State quarterback Chase Brice shined in the Mountaineers’ 30-27, upset victory over No. 14 Coastal Carolina on Wednesday night at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C. Brice, who transferred to App State after …

Former Clemson and current Appalachian State quarterback Chase Brice shined in the Mountaineers’ 30-27, upset victory over No. 14 Coastal Carolina on Wednesday night at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C.

Brice, who transferred to App State after graduating from Duke last year, completed 18-of-28 passes for a career-high 347 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 34 yards on five carries.

Brice led App State to its first win against a ranked opponent since the team’s upset of Michigan in 2007. He has now thrown for 1,840 yards and 10 touchdowns with five interceptions through seven games this season.

Twitter was buzzing about Brice’s performance against the Chanticleers. Check out what some had to say about the former Tiger QB:

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Appalachian State vs Louisiana Prediction, Game Preview

Appalachian State vs Louisiana prediction, game preview, how to watch: Tuesday, October 12

Appalachian State vs Louisiana prediction, game preview, how to watch: Tuesday, October 12

Appalachian State vs Louisiana How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, October 12
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Appalachian State (4-1), Louisiana (4-1)
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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Appalachian State vs Louisiana Game Preview

Why Appalachian State Will Win

The Mountaineers have the offense to not only keep up with Louisiana, but they can potentially set the pace.

The passing game is clicking, the sound game is fantastic, and the offense has pushed for well over 500 yards in each of the last three games – and 485 in the win over East Carolina.

What do you want to hit the Ragin’ Cajun defense with? Mountaineer QB Chase Brice has been efficient, the ground attack is averaging close to 200 yards per game, and even with a few key turnovers, everything keeps on moving.

That’s not the case for Louisiana.

Stunningly bad on third downs, the running game isn’t moving well enough and the offense isn’t nearly as explosive as it should be.

Defensively, there aren’t any takeaways – Louisiana coming up with just three so far – but …

– Week 7 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why Louisiana Will Win

The team is getting the job done.

It might not be as pretty as it was last year, but the offense was able to grind its way on the ground in a win over South Alabama, throw for a victory over Georgia Southern, and in general, it’s been versatile enough to get the key plays when needed.

Appalachian State doesn’t have a massive turnover problem, but it’ll give it up with five giveaways over the last three games. Louisiana has been ultra-careful – it doesn’t make the big mistake.

There’s been just one interception so far, the penalties are kept to a bare minimum, and …

What’s Going To Happen

Louisiana doesn’t have a good win.

Beating South Alabama wasn’t without its charm, but there was too much of a struggle with Nicholls State and Georgia Southern, and Ohio is awful.

Appalachian State hasn’t been perfect, but it’s tested with solid wins over Marshall and East Carolina and a blowout over Georgia State.

Coastal Carolina might be the star of the Sun Belt, but the winner of this won’t be far off.

It’s a road date, but Appalachian State is too strong and too good offensively. Louisiana will have to to run wild to win, and that’s not happening – the Mountaineers haven’t allowed more than 175 yards on the ground so far.

Appalachian State vs Louisiana Prediction, Line

Appalachian State 30, Louisiana 20
Line: Appalachian State -5, o/u: 57
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

5: Caramel apple anything
1: Pumpkin spice anything

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