The Appalachian State University Mountaineers completed a dream season on Friday night by defeating the Delaware Blue Hens for the Division I-AA National Championship.  The win completed a "3-peat" for ASU (third straight National Championship) and, in the hearts of the AppState faithful, validated a win against Michigan in the "Big House" in their first game of the 2007 season.  And in an ironic twist, the Delaware uniforms were replicas of Michigan's uniforms.

 

 

 

In a year where the BCS was turned upside down by a two loss team reaching the BCS title game, the Appstate Mountaineers continued to dominate Div I-AA.  However, their domination didn't become apparent until their playmaker, quarterback Armanti Edwards returned from a shoulder injury suffered in their historic win over Michigan.  After a couple of close calls in the first couple of rounds in the playoffs, AppState totally dominated the Richmond Spiders in the semi finals and Delaware in the Championship game.  They outscored their last two opponents 104-56 to solidify their domination of Div I-AA Football. 

 

There will be arguments made as to whether AppState deserves to be considered for a final ranking in the top 25 of the Div-I polls.  After all, they received votes in the week two AP rankings after their win over Michigan.  And it would be hard to argue that they don't deserve a consideration for a final ranking in the top 25.  However, with two losses during the regular season, one to Wofford and one to Georgia Southern, it isn't likely that consideration will become a reality.  And so this crazy college football season will likely end with AppState right back where they were before the season began.....a no name school from the mountains of North Carolina still trying to put itself on the map of big time college football. 

 

 

 

 

I'm not foolish enough to believe that Appalachian State would be a Big Ten contender, simply by winning an opening season game against a #5 Michigan Wolverine team that was supposed to be a national title contender.  And I can honestly say that if they were to play Michigan 10 times with this year's roster, Michigan would likely win eight of those games.  However, that's what logic tells me and anyone else who follows big time college football.  The only problem is, the heart knows no logic.  And for one shining season, the Appalachian State Mountaineers took the Div I-AA Championship with talent....and took the heart and soul out of a Division I -A national title contender with heart. 

 

(I would like to congratulate the Delaware Blue Hens with a classy game.  I am personally embarrassed by the actions of some of the AppState fans and even some of the players.  Delaware showed nothing but class.  Head Coach K.C. Keeler is a class act and a great coach.  Delaware should be proud.)