Gridiron Goddess Mad Genius of the Week Award: Appalachian State Football
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(Also posted at Gridiron Goddess)
Football fiends and fans, you know what? Your Gridiron Goddess has got a feeeeeeever and there’s only one prescription for it: More Cowbell.
Oh what, you expected me to make sense in this heat? hahahhaha It is 98 degrees inside, I’ll do my best, but I am pretty sure most of my brain cells have melted away by now. Are my plants supposed to be dancing like they are animated? Oh nevermind… heh heh heh
This may be redundant at this point, but the Gridiron Goddess Mad Genius of the Week Award goes to the Appalachian State Football team and Coaching Staff. Sure, the national exposure and payday associated with playing a Div 1-A (or Bowl Championship Div–dumb name) team such as Michigan seems reason enough to put them on their schedule.
But for one thing, for Michigan’s Powers that Be not to seem to realize that perhaps scheduling the two time reigning National Champions of Div 1-AA (or whatever that new dumb name is) football who very well could compete at a 1-A level if not for the financial aspects may not be the best thing when your defense is slow and full of holes and has been exploited by teams such as, oh, my USC Trojans at Rose Bowls in 2004 and 2007.
Indeed, the App State fellows have made it clear to the press that they studied tons of tape and saw something they could work with. One only has to look at the two Rose Bowls played between the Wolverines and Trojans to see exactly what the Mountaineers staff saw as their opportunity to deliver one of the most shocking upsets in Div. 1-A football.
What this Gridiron Goddess want to know is — am I the only one not too shocked by Michigan’s loss? Sure, the program has not been bad in recent years, but it has not been vying for Nat’l Championships. The Wolverines went 11-2 in 2006, but 7-5 in 2005 and 9-3 in 2004. For a program such as this, that is not good enough. They have the money, visibility and resources to consistently churn out winning, championship vying teams.
Has Lloyd Carr lost his touch? I believe so. It has long been rumored and assumed this season would be his last. Perhaps old Lloyd has one foot out the door and is not quite as in control of his program as he should be, as he once was.
Michigan football has been resting on its laurels and overrated for years now. Perhaps this “shocking” loss is exactly what the Athletic Department needs to shake things up and make positive changes.
Congratulations to the Appalachian State Mountaineers for playing smart, calculated, exciting football. You earned that win through planning and talent. Enjoy it!
-Your Gridiron Goddess
