App State beat the Louisiana team who handed us a 20 point beat-down 17-7 last night. Held the Ragin Cajuns to 123 yards rushing. They gained 296 on the ground in Athens. If we make a bowl and play a Sun Belt team, there is much improvement that needs to happen over the rest of the season.

I know - hard to make those kind of comparisons, but having watched much of the game, we would have been in big trouble vs. App State last night.

I think Appalachian State is on another level. They are a borderline top 25 team according to the Massey ratings and come in at 42 in Sagarin. Toledo is in the 60s in both to lead the MAC. Florida Atlantic in the 60s and 70s leads CUSA. The rest of the Sun Belt is similarly rated (Louisiana is rated second to App State). App State should compete with a few Mountain West And AAC schools for the BCS bowl bid. I know we'd like to be that good but fortunately Ohio doesn't have to be to win the MAC.

As a whole, in my opinion, App State is on another level in terms of their football program. Their facilities are better, and frankly, it's a football school that seems dedicated to football much more than Ohio is (and that's OK by me).

Aside from that, they're in a damn fine town and region in Boone.

My wife and I took a trip to Asheville this past spring and after exiting the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way home we visited Boone, NC. Boone seemed to be a very nice college town with a picturesque setting in the mountains as would be expected. I was also impressed with what I could see of their facilities, including new construction around their football stadium. To this casual observer, at least, it seemed apparent that they are very focused on being successful with their move to D1 several years ago. Their performance on the field this year, including the victory over UNC, certainly would not dismiss that thought.

To add to the story, I asked a former colleague of mine, who was a Marshall alum and attended many away games, where he enjoyed going most to see the Herd play. “Boone“ was his answer.

I’d love to see us schedule them to a home and home series sometime. I think combining a football game and visiting the mountains, with all they have to offer, would be a fun experience .

Amen to that last thought. It would be fun! Boone in the fall would be fun. The only thing to be concerned about is the potential for snow, as it's pretty high up compared to here.

If you're worried about snow in September, idk when else you'd plan to go visit a college campus and watch a sporting event. Better just stay at home rather than run the risk of inclement weather.