Forget rat poison: App State placed mouse traps in football building as a lesson in overconfidence

Coaches are reportedly telling players not to “take the cheese” regarding media hype this week.

You’ve probably heard “rat poison” used as a metaphor for the effect that hype from the media can have on a college football team. It was popularized by Alabama coach Nick Saban, who has used it frequently.

After a program-defining upset win against No. 6 Texas A&M on Saturday, Appalachian State coach Shawn Clark is adopting that messaging, albeit with some tweaks of his own. Clark and the Mountaineers coaches reportedly placed mouse traps around the football building, telling players, “Don’t take the cheese.”

It’s easy to see how a win over a top-10 opponent could go to App’s head. It earned a host spot for ESPN’s College GameDay this weekend for its matchup against Troy, and the Mountaineers could be one of the prime contenders for the Group of Five’s auto-bid to the New Year’s Six.

We’ll see if App State has the juice to keep up the momentum over the course of the season, but there’s one thing no one can deny: “Don’t take the cheese,” is one of the best football team mottos of all time.

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Three group of five coaches that would be great fits in the Big Ten

Three group of five football coaches who would be great fits in the #BigTen

The Group of Five conferences are great breeding grounds for power five conferences looking to hire head coaches who have experience and are still likely young and up and coming. Purdue hired Jeff Brohm after he showed off his skill at Western Kentucky, Scott Frost was electric during his time at UCF before Nebraska plucked him away. Mike Locksley had a stint at New Mexico before landing at Maryland.

OK, as I re-read those examples, I realize that they aren’t shining examples of success, but the point remains that it would not be shocking to see a Group of Five coach make the jump to the Big Ten and succeed. The following are three perfect fits to perhaps make that move.