Boone, NC. Football Capital of the World

On February 16, 2007, the Detroit Free Press reported that Michigan had completed their 2007 football schedule by agreeing to start the year by hosting the 2-time defending 1-AA national champs, the Appalachian St. Mountaineers. Here is some of the reaction on a Free Press message board. It's pretty easy to tell by the comments who likes Michigan and who likes Appalachian St. (or doesn't like Michigan):

• This should be a free game, no charge for tickets.
• I would not overlook this App State team. They are an impressive team. I surely would not be putting a W in the win column yet.They have one of the best QB's in the nationwide with soph. Armanti Edwards.I would prepare extensively for this team.
• I don't think App State is the one to worry about this game....They will get respect at the BIG HOUSE...probably be some people sweating that day.
• Yuck! Why is Michigan playing a division I-AA school. What's next? Concordia College?

I didn't think Michigan would blow App St. out, but I thought they would take control by halftime. Usually in games that feature BCS vs. non-BCS opponents, the difference is depth in the offensive and defensive lines and the BCS conference team wins the line of scrimmage and thereby takes control of the game.

Michigan never did that. In the 4th quarter, the line of scrimmage battle was still very even. And usually when the non-BCS team on the road turns the ball over 3 times in the 2nd half, the home, BCS team takes advantage and puts the game away. Michigan didn't do that either, and instead let App St. stay in the game by making mistakes of their own. Combine that with Michigan's continued inability to stop the spread offense, especially those run by a mobile quarterback and well, you have the makings of an upset.

And when Appalachian St. makes the kind of plays they did with the talent and pedigree they had (2-time defending 1-AA champs, nation's longest winning streak), you have trouble. Then, when all of the above is mixed with what sounds like poor preparation and some looking ahead to next week, uh oh.

Does this upset rank among the biggest ever? Yes. How high does it rank? Personally, I'm not sure. After all, Appalachian St. has won a lot of games and had a lot of experience coming back from last year's national championship team. But, to beat Michigan, an elite Division 1 program, in the Big House when they were expected to compete for the Big 10 and national championship commands a lot of attention, even when the winning team is a highly respected program such as Appalachian St.

To put it in basketball terms, it's not the equivalent of a 16 beating a 1 in the 1st round. A 15 beating a 2, most definitely.

I like the "Michigan Who" t-shirts some of the Appalachian St. students were sporting after the game yesterday, very nice.

Maybe Michigan should've scheduled Notre Dame as their cupcake game to get ready for the rest of the year.

And as much as Michigan has been hurt by mobile quarterbacks, you'd think they would start recruiting them. When's the last time Michigan had a quarterback that could be considered mobile? Chad Henne, John Navarre, Drew Henson, Tom Brady, Scott Driesbach, Brian Griese, Elvis Grbac, Todd Collins, all of the same mold. You have to go back to 1989 and Michael Taylor, who started in Bo Schembechler's last year. And the QB in waiting? Ryan Mallet, 6'5, dropback passer.

Other thoughts from the weekend in college football:

• Ohio St. was never in trouble vs. Youngstown St. but they didn't really dominate them. Chris Wells, 16 carries for 46 yards, disappointing.
• East Carolina really came to play at Virginia Tech. Sean Glennon is the Chad Henne of Virginia Tech. And yes, I cried during the pregame tribute to the shooting victims.
• Michigan St. and Alabama were very impressive. Granted, UAB and Western Carolina aren't exactly the toughest competition, but recently, the Spartans and Tide have not played well against those type of teams. They both made statements Saturday.
• Two things were confirmed yesterday: Cal has great team speed and Tennessee is once again overrated.
• Another unimpressive team: Texas, who only beat Arkansas St. 21-13. Texas/TCU will be interesting next week.
• I took Central Michigan as my preseason pick to win the MAC. After losing to Kansas 52-7, I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts. It should've been a lot closer than that.

Team USA finished off the Tournament of Americas by beating Argentina more impressively than when they met a few days ago. LeBron James's jump shot might have been the most impressive aspect of the tournament. That, and Kobe Bryant's defense.

Happy Labor Day!