Spring Break
Is playing Appalachian State a good idea?
Staff Report
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Sports
Because of a scheduling conflict with N.C. State, ECU recently added Appalachian State to its 2009 football schedule.
When the two teams meet in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Sept. 5, it will be ECU's first game against a Division I-AA opponent since hosting William & Mary in 2001. The Mountaineers have the best program in I-AA however, with three-straight national championships and a season-opening win at Michigan in 2007.
So was this a good decision? Assistant sports editor Jared Jackson says no. Senior sportswriter Kellen Holtzman says yes. What do you think? State your case in the comments section of this article.
NO
Jared Jackson
The East Carolinian
When I first heard of next season's Sept. 5 game between ECU and Appalachian State, only one thought came to my mind: why?
Of course, the Mountaineers have had a great run over the course of the last three seasons in winning three-straight Division I-AA National Championships (perhaps a fourth on the way), but when it comes down to it, what exactly does an ECU-ASU game do for the Pirates? Not much in my opinion.
Most people know the Mountaineers not for their titles but for their giant killer status. In 2007, ASU opened the season by beating Michigan at the Big House, 34-32, in one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
ECU is certainly not on the same level as a program like Michigan, so a loss to the Mountaineers wouldn't be as degrading as what the Wolverine's suffered, but it wouldn't be far off.
Not that I expect ECU to lose, because I fully believe it will win. However, if the Pirates win against the Mountaineers then they were supposed to, but if they lose then it is simply a devastating and quite embarrassing early season loss.
It's a lose-lose situation for the Pirates in many regards.
If it's an ECU win then it's simply another W in the win column, but a loss could prove fatal for the rest of the season and especially hard to overlook for Bowl representatives when they're looking for participants; no matter how the Pirates would finish out the season.
When the two teams meet in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Sept. 5, it will be ECU's first game against a Division I-AA opponent since hosting William & Mary in 2001. The Mountaineers have the best program in I-AA however, with three-straight national championships and a season-opening win at Michigan in 2007.
So was this a good decision? Assistant sports editor Jared Jackson says no. Senior sportswriter Kellen Holtzman says yes. What do you think? State your case in the comments section of this article.
NO
Jared Jackson
The East Carolinian
When I first heard of next season's Sept. 5 game between ECU and Appalachian State, only one thought came to my mind: why?
Of course, the Mountaineers have had a great run over the course of the last three seasons in winning three-straight Division I-AA National Championships (perhaps a fourth on the way), but when it comes down to it, what exactly does an ECU-ASU game do for the Pirates? Not much in my opinion.
Most people know the Mountaineers not for their titles but for their giant killer status. In 2007, ASU opened the season by beating Michigan at the Big House, 34-32, in one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
ECU is certainly not on the same level as a program like Michigan, so a loss to the Mountaineers wouldn't be as degrading as what the Wolverine's suffered, but it wouldn't be far off.
Not that I expect ECU to lose, because I fully believe it will win. However, if the Pirates win against the Mountaineers then they were supposed to, but if they lose then it is simply a devastating and quite embarrassing early season loss.
It's a lose-lose situation for the Pirates in many regards.
If it's an ECU win then it's simply another W in the win column, but a loss could prove fatal for the rest of the season and especially hard to overlook for Bowl representatives when they're looking for participants; no matter how the Pirates would finish out the season.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 72
jimbo327
posted 10/28/08 @ 1:46 PM EST
I thought that wins over 1-AA school don't count towards bowl eligibility, to me that is the biggest negative for taking on a 1-AA team.
obx pir8
posted 10/28/08 @ 1:59 PM EST
NO, not long term, but yes in this situation. We have established a wonderful out of conference schedule with the likes of Navy, UNC, NCSU, VTech, UVA, WVU, and South Carolina thanks to Coach Holland. (Continued…)
william146
posted 10/28/08 @ 2:26 PM EST
jimbo - that rule went out the door when regular seasons expanded to 12 games. even before that, you could count a 1-AA school towards eligibility every few years (ECU did it in '01). (Continued…)
Capt Lolbeard
posted 10/28/08 @ 2:35 PM EST
As I recall, in 2009, D-IAA schools do start counting towards bowl eligibility and are allowed to be spotted in the polls.
Aside from that, I think it's good to play App State as we know what it's like to be looked down on from a scheduling standpoint. (Continued…)
Baker
posted 10/28/08 @ 3:25 PM EST
I hate the idea of playing crappy Appy. I just hope this is a one and done game! I will not support traveling to Boone to play them! Lets get this game over with and play teams like VT, WVU, NCSU, UNC, USC, UVA or Navy. (Continued…)
Pirate Leo
posted 10/28/08 @ 3:49 PM EST
Oh the snobery. I don't think it is going to help us to play FCS teams every year but if you had to pick one ASU would be the first choice. They should be respected for what they have accomplished not to mention having a winning record against us. (Continued…)
Moneymaker
posted 10/28/08 @ 4:28 PM EST
Dont want to play App. period! I realize all the OLD FARTS who were in school when we were in the S. Conference are excited about the game. Although as a student I am much more in interested in seeing ECU play national contenders like VT, WVU and a Spurier powered South Carolina. (Continued…)
YOSEF
posted 10/29/08 @ 9:30 AM EST
YOU CAN BRING THE PIRATES ON ANYTIME ,ANY WHERE,I FEEL THE MOUNTAINEERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY MICHIGAN AND LSU AND AUBURN,AND SO ON,WHY LOWER THE STANDARDS AND PLAY ECU,ITS ONLY AN EMBARASMENT IF YOU LOSE TO THEM,AFTER ALL WE LEAD THAT SERIES 19 WINS TO 10 LOSSES,WE NEED BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS THAN THE PIRATES
Daniel Boone
posted 10/29/08 @ 11:04 AM EST
my thoughts exactly yosef.
Steven Asby
posted 10/29/08 @ 1:07 PM EST
It will be a great money maker for the state, I totatlly welcome the people of Boone to make the trip and spend money in Greenville.
I am sure it will be an emotional, smashmouth game. (Continued…)
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