CAA's Best are Bowl-Worthy

[andy7171]

Sorry, that wasn't intended as a knock on JMU, CAA, or Mickey Matthews. But, "bowl worthy" at the FBS level doesn't mean anything. Some truly horrible teams are bowl eligible. Quite a few go to bowls.

So you're saying that the third place ACC team this year doesn't deserve to go to a bowl?

FIFY

[bandl]

So you're saying that the third place ACC team this year doesn't deserve to go to a bowl?

FIFY

Didn't 7 ACC teams make it to a bowl last year? That's pathetic...really, does your seventh best team deserve a season ending 'well-done' pat on the back?

[CAA Flagship]

Yup - to most outside the FCS world, App State is the team that beat Michigan and got thumped by LSU the next year.
Most chalk it up to the Michigan decline, not a testament to the FCS level of football.

The key to creating a team that can win another game like that is FCS National Championships. Not FBS wins.

That and recruiting. And the fact that this is against the in-state big boy adds an extra element to this. Va. Tech (because of the state of UVa football) has a huge grip on this state football-wise. I think it's an incredible in-state recruiting asset to go to the top players that didn't get offered at Tech and say: "Look what we can do. We'll mold you into somebody Tech wishes they had."

True. But recruiting takes a back seat to the big prize that you may be forgetting about. FBS Conference invitation. Get the right invitation and the recruiting goes to a different level anyway.

Now all you need is an airport.

[AshevilleApp]

Whoops,,,, I meant CAA....guess I better slow down.

ACC works well too.

[Aho Old Guy]

I personally have trouble denoting a victory at VT as being greater than an NC but everyone has a right to their opinion.

I don't think Appalachian's win over Michigan would have had the same *zing* if not for the the NC.

I do think the Duke's win at VT is bigger (than ASU-Mich) from the *locals* standpoint (and I think that may be the reason MM is building it up as greater than an NC).

Going into Blacksburg and kicking your neighbor's arse should be HUGE in recruiting; a mass mailing this week promoting it as such should be out-the-door ASAP to every prospective student athlete on the JMU radar.

[WacoKid]

I'm going to say that beating Michigan (VT for JMU) has done more for ASU than the NC's. If you go back and look at what recruits say about ASU every one of them mentions the win over Michigan. Some mention the NC's as well, but that is never the first thing out of their mouth. For the individual players it may be different, but when you look at it in terms of long term dividends beating a Top 15 FBS school has the bigger impact. Most fans had very little knowledge of ASU even after the 2005 and 2006 NC's, but after week 1 of 2007 everyone knew who we were. Like some others have stated these wins not only increase the profile of the team that wins, but it helps to change the attitude towards the entire division.

How many FCS fans are sick of the ESPN guys calling these game glorified scrimmages and calling our team’s cupcakes? I know it drives me crazy. If more FCS teams knock off the big boys we won't hear this talk so much. Since 07 ASU has been given much more respect heading into FBS games, and I'm sure JMU will start to see that as well.

[DirtyDukes]

BTW, anybody catch the jacket throw? That's a new one, even for Mickey.

[youtube][/youtube]

[AshevilleApp]

BTW, anybody catch the jacket throw? That's a new one, even for Mickey.

[youtube][/youtube]

I love the look on the player behind him.

[Aho Old Guy]

...

I love the look on the player behind him.

I suspect there will be multiple mock (drunken? ) 'contests' this Fall (all in good fun) to determine winners in *The MM Windbreaker Toss for Distance*.

Might even make a nice web page - LOL

[BDKJMU]

I heard that MM said the Virginia Tech win was bigger than the 2004 National Championship. (Note: I heard this on ESPN, so take it for what it is worth).

Would JMU fans agree?



EDIT: And I agree that the best CAA teams are bowl worthy. The best SoCon, MVC and Big Sky are as well.

He did say that. He said the VT win was the biggest in his professional career. And in regards to the edit, I think he would agree. He stated in another article that people in the know were not nearly as shocked as the media when App. St. knocked off Michigan (I posted the article on here it was titled "On Any Given Saturday").

Now, as to the bigger win, at first I said no. No way this trumps a NC. But I've had a couple of days to reflect on it. For JMU this was bigger than just beating a ranked FBS team, it was beating "big brother" at their place. In that same article mentioned above the night before the game Matthews asked the players how many of them went on recruiting visits to Tech and none of them raised their hand. And he said ""I promise you they're going to want a lot of you after tomorrow." Matthews also pointed out earlier in the week that we were bringing 60 guys (actually 53) that Tech didn't want. So, for me, after reflection, the in-state aspect pushes it over the National Championship win. And the exposure is nice too.

Having said that, I understand the goal of our level is to win NCs, not beat FBS, so it's a difficult decision. This win will be a pretty hollow win if we lose every game the rest of the year.

Yeah, MM said there was 60 guys on that bus, and none of them Tech wanted....

Either he should have said 59 guys out of 60 that Tech didn't want, because Peter Rose initially signed with VT, the only JMU player on the current roster who was offered by VT.

[State Line Liquors]

Tell me this isn't about Va Tech, JMU.

[mcveyrl]

Tell me this isn't about Va Tech, JMU.

Having looked at the thread, I will grant you this one. Still, what's the point?

[native]

Yep. It's like if NAU beat Az. State, or Montana State beat Montana.

[State Line Liquors]

Tell me this isn't about Va Tech, JMU.

Having looked at the thread, I will grant you this one. Still, what's the point?

Your fine mcveyrl.

My point, if it wasn't already abundantly clear, is that I think I've now run the emotional gammut on the JMU v. Tekk game. I was calling friends last week after the game laughing at Tekk, talking about a gritty win for the Dukies, and overall very happy for you guys. After 6 days, I'm starting to lean the other way. Just my take, FWIW, which is more than likely very little to JMU fans.

[mcveyrl]

Having looked at the thread, I will grant you this one. Still, what's the point?

Your fine mcveyrl.

My point, if it wasn't already abundantly clear, is that I think I've now run the emotional gammut on the JMU v. Tekk game. I was calling friends last week after the game laughing at Tekk, talking about a gritty win for the Dukies, and overall very happy for you guys. After 6 days, I'm starting to lean the other way. Just my take, FWIW, which is more than likely very little to JMU fans.

Oh, I'm over it too. It's neat to see the guys on national tv and getting radio exposure, but I would agree it's run its course. This win means very little if we can't wing 6 more games...maybe 5...So they need to get back at it.

Although that doesn't keep me from sending my sister (a Tech grad and football junkie) daily texts and facebook messages.

[HIU 93]

You guys are starting to sound like some of the HBCU crowd that their Heritage Bowl is more important than the playoffs.

For folks who seem to dislike HBCUs so much, you sure seem to mention us a lot. What did HBCUs have to do with this discussion?

[AZGrizFan]

You guys are starting to sound like some of the HBCU crowd that their Heritage Bowl is more important than the playoffs.

For folks who seem to dislike HBCUs so much, you sure seem to mention us a lot. What did HBCUs have to do with this discussion?

What did you do, Huey? Go do a search for "HBCU" to see how many times it's been mentioned in your absence?

[UD77]

Yep. It's like if NAU beat Az. State, or Montana State beat Montana.

Like Delaware beating Del State.

[89Hen]

You guys are starting to sound like some of the HBCU crowd that their Heritage Bowl is more important than the playoffs.

For folks who seem to dislike HBCUs so much, you sure seem to mention us a lot. What did HBCUs have to do with this discussion?

Yeah, so much that when you searched for HBCU you found a thread that died two months ago. Great to see you back 93.