Michigan to Face Appalachian State in 2014 Opener

Submitted by snoopblue on

 

Aug. 25, 2011

 

• Football Future Schedules

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football program will open the 2014 season with a match-up against Appalachian State University on Aug. 30 at Michigan Stadium. This will be the second meeting between the Wolverines and Mountaineers at Michigan Stadium.

"We look forward to facing Appalachian State again," said U-M Athletic Director Dave Brandon.

The only previous game in the series between Michigan and Appalachian State came in the 2007 season opener. The defending FCS champion Mountaineers stunned the Wolverines, 34-32, as ASU blocked a field goal attempt that could have won the game for Michigan at the end of regulation. It was the first-ever game broadcast by the Big Ten Network.

U-M has two remaining open dates on its schedule.

(http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082511aad.html)

Tater

August 25th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^

Michigan will come out to play a FCS team as though they were playing Ohio.  This will simultaneously be an exorcism and a lamb being sacrificed at the altar of all things Wolverine.  

Appy State will not have the benefit of catching Michigan by surprise again; nobody on the staff or the field will be "asleep at the wheel" this time.  

profitgoblue

August 25th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^

I don't see how any good can come from playing this game.  First, Michigan clearly looks like its trying to get revenge and prove that the last game was a fluke.  Second, if Michigan wins, everyone will say "great, big deal, you beat a team you should have beaten in the first place."  And if they lose . . . well . . . <speechless>

No good can come from it except the change for App State to win another big game and/or make a lot of money.

 

Willis Ward

August 25th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^

could not possibly agree more.  we will be 8 years removed from that damn game, hopefully having turned the corner and left the sad times behind us.  but wait!  lets play app state to make sure that the college football world will do nothing but talk about the HORROR all week leading up the game.

why on earth would we do this?  what is the upside?

Indiana Blue

August 25th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^

this needs a facepalm.  I know you guys are out there ... but this is seriously the stupidest freaking scheduling move EVER.  Hey, why doesn't DB go ask his former high school sweetheart over for dinner at his house and then fondle her (like he used to) in front of his wife ....

Bad bad bad bad bad bad idea ... DB.  Maybe he'll have his new mascot at the game too!

I will list these on Ebay  -  for sale ...  U of M 2014 home opener tickets  

fuuuuuuuu .... Go Blue!

NOLA Wolverine

August 25th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^

Yeah, they usually don't have commemorative games consecutively, and seeing how Rich Rodriguez day against Ohio State would have been the last game in the Big House it wouldn't make much sense to hold Lloyd Carr Day just then. They'll probably wait for the Rose Bowl to hold that. 

Chippewa Blue

August 25th, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^

Yay for a chance to make up for the last time? I guess. I would prefer to not have to relive the horror in the weeks leading up to this game, not to mention all the crap rival fans will give us

andrewG

August 25th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^

what does michigan possibly have to gain by doing this??? there a ton of other fcs schools out there who would be willing to cash our check. DISLIKE.

Slippery Rock …

August 25th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^

What do you do when someone beats you that really shouldn't beat you? You play them again, and make sure you kick their bums.  I cannot believe how many negative comments there are on this.  I will be just as annoyed about the media coverage, but its time to put on our big boy pants and stop hiding from the game.

 

profitgoblue

August 25th, 2011 at 5:41 PM ^

Tell me what good comes from beating App State.  To show Michigan can win?  That re-raises the issue that Michigan couldn't win the first time!  That, and Michigan has to shell out cash to play a revenge game that should never be necessary.  Its a terrible idea.  Let bygones be bygones and move on with life.  It is what it is.  Let a sleeping dog lie.  Etc.

 

jmblue

August 25th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^

We can even the score.  It's shameful that they are 1-0 against us.  Play them again - hell, play them two more times to regain the edge.  The winningest program in history should not have a losing record against these punks.

(Besides, you can play the "What do we gain?" game with all the other FCS schools we're in the process of scheduling, not to mention all those thrilling MAC matchups.)

snoopblue

August 25th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^

I really hope this hasn't been posted, I checked a couple times just so I don't get crushed.

On one hand, this could be the road to redemption. It could help flush the memories of that god awful day. On the other hand, why bring back the pain or take the risk? I have a feeling Dave Brandon said "We look forward to facing Appalachian State again," with a serious looking smirk on his face.

FreddieMercuryHayes

August 25th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^

I'm simultaneously happy to get the chance to kick the shit out of them, and disgusted that I will have to endure hearing about the Horror like 1500 times the few weeks before the season starts.
<br>
<br>Oh well, let's just REALLY kick the shit out of them and have new highlights we can look at.

JT4104

August 25th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^

Well if anything it will be the most talked about opener of the college football season in a long time.

Not really happy about a 6 month build up to a game against an FCS school again...but hey screw it. Lets go out and hope Shane leads the charge.

This is Michigan

August 25th, 2011 at 4:38 PM ^

I think he is talking about outside the Mgoblogosphere. From a national perspective, if UM goes into next year unranked then the game basically becomes Penn State vs Bama of this year. Just not much hype going into the game. However, every media outlet and college football fans acroos the nation will take the opportunity to rip on Michigan leading up to the The Revenge of the Horror. I guarantee the week before that game we will see every media outlet come up with their version of "The Biggest Upsets in College Football" and guess what game will be on top. Page Hits, yo. Yea so most talked about.

expatriate

August 25th, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^

Bring in some other 1-AA team that has had recent success- Delaware, Richmond, Montana, Eastern Washington, Villanova come to mind.  Nothing good can come of playing App State again.  Even IF Michigan wins and wins big, the App State fans will still be taunting the hell out of Michigan fans because of that huge win.  Deservedly so, I might add.  But still, this is such a bad idea.

jmblue

August 25th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^

If we're going to play an FCS team, we've got to take on App State again.  To schedule FCS teams but duck them would be pathetic.  You want that school to be 1-0 against us forever? 

 

michiganfan39

August 25th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^

This is dumb.  What the hell is Michigan going to gain out of this? Nothing.  Just when people were starting to forget about Michigan App. State its gonna come back around again. not a smart move Dave