Athens, GA - It's been ten years since Appalachian State stunned "The Big House", blocking a game-winning field goal as time expired to prematurely squander No.5 Michigan's title hopes and send the Wolverines into a decade of mediocrity. It was the "Upset of the century", a single game that put App State on the national radar. "Giant Killers" they are called, every September like clock work as they gear up to play an unlucky Power 5 opponent. The Herbstreits of the world quarrel over how stupid it is for a big name school to schedule a team like this. You wouldn't make it to a noon kick off if you drank every time the broadcasts brought up the Michigan game. The expectations for the Mountaineers are always high yet, every year, the big game comes and goes without the 'neers taking another victim. In fact, despite all of the Mountaineer's successes, App State has lost every single game against Power 5 opponents since 2007. They've come close, taking No. 9 Tennessee to OT last season, but they have not been able to bring a W against a Power Fiver back to the High Country.

That will all change this Saturday, as the Appalachian State Mountaineers (10-3 Sun Belt) coming off back to back bowl wins, go "Between the Hedges" to take on the always overhyped Georgia Bulldogs (8-5 SEC) and here are the reasons why:

1) Georgia's suspect offensive line

Georgia's O-line last season was the main culprit in the Bulldogs underwhelming 2016 season. They almost lost to Nicholls State (FCS) in a game where "the best back in the country" Nick Chubb was limited to 80 Yards and 1 TD. All of this was with three seniors starting at OL. Given, the new unit will carry some of the star power of Kirby Smart's recruiting class, but inexperience could play a factor against a veteran App State defense that returns all three starters on the defensive line. App States 3-4 Defense, which ranked 13th overall in total defense in 2016, returns 80% of their starters, and should be able to pressure sophomore QB Jacob Eason and create opportunities for turnovers. don't be surprised if the Mountaineers live in the puppy dogs backfield all night long.

2) App State's offensive line

App State's Offensive line has been the key to the 'Neers recent success, and there are no reasons why this shouldn't continue against the Bulldogs. Prior to last season, PFF ranked the O-line 2nd in all of FBS. Their fast, bruising style of play anchored by veterans Parker Collins and Colby Gossett led to the mountaineers posting over 435 yards per game, and 250 rushing yards per game. The Apps graduated Parker Collins , who was signed by the L.A. Rams this offseason, but they return one of the more experienced O-Lines in the league with legitimate NFL talent. This O-line should hold up well against a Bulldog front that seemingly lacks star power.

3) RB Jalin Moore and the App State Rushing attack

Its not often that a team graduates their school's all-time rushing leader but still returns the conference Offensive Player of the Year at the same position, but that's exactly what the Mountaineers face this season after the departure of career 5,000 yard RB Marcus Cox. The "Giving you Moore-Cox" era is over but that doesn't mean teams like UGA can rest easy. In the three games Cox missed due to injury, Jalin Moore averaged over 170 Yards per game, including a 257 Yard, 2 TD performance against Akron. He is a dynamic back that can run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield, and he is very tough to bring down. In a press conference Tuesday, Kirby Smart went as far as to say that "He could be playing in the SEC right now". In addition to Moore, the return of Senior running back Terrance Upshaw from a year of academic ineligibility can bring a change of pace and I expect the Mountaineers to utilize RB/WR Darrynton Evans to bring an element of trickery to the rushing attack and explosiveness in the return game. The Georgia run defense, who was top 20 nationally last season in terms of total yards allowed, returns 10/11 starters if all players are healthy/eligible, but the chance that Malcolm Parrish, one of the Bulldog's leading tacklers, could be sidelined with an ankle injury might force two rookies into the starting lineup on Saturday. This will be one of the better rushing offenses Georgia faces all year, with a multi faceted attack that will really challenge Kirby Smart's 4-2-5 scheme. Look for the mountaineers to run the ball effectively behind a monster offensive line and open up the offensive playbook.

4) Senior QB Taylor Lamb

Remember Armanti Edwards? The QB who wreaked havoc all over the league in the 2005-2007? The "Guy who beat Michigan" ?The one who set all sorts of school records? Armanti "Madden 04 Michael Vick" Edwards???

Taylor Lamb has a chance to break some of his records this season. He's been that good for the Mountaineers. entering his fourth season at App state, The QB is second among all active players in terms of wins behind Baker Mayfield, and is no stranger to playing P5 opponents. Now, he gets his final chance to stun the college football world week one, and it comes against his childhood team. His father worked for UGA before becoming the Head coach at Mercer University (who coincidentally replaced App State in the SOCON when they transitioned to FBS). Lamb is a veteran who doesn't make many mistakes (63 TD, 27 INT) , and is a threat with his running ability. He doesn't have the best arm, but is smart with the football and makes plays. If App state can establish the run early, look for Taylor Lamb to have a huge game.

5) The App State Defense

The best part of App State's team is the part that no one talks about, and that's the defense. I bet you didn't know that the Mountaineers are 27-5 in their last 32 games -- That's fourth in the FBS behind only Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson for the same stretch.The largest contributor has been dominant defensive play in all three levels, and they return a ton of talent on that side of the ball. UGA will be surprised at the speed and aggressiveness of this defensive unit. They swarm the ball, create pressure, and force mistakes. There are not many opportunities for a ball carrier to break just one tackle against the Mountaineers and that limits teams ability to break open a game with big plays.

App State is returning eight out of their top ten leading tacklers from last season, including leading tackler LB Eric Boggs, so even with the departure of some big contributors last year, this defense is fully capable of limiting the UGA rushing attack. From the air, the secondary is led by freshman All-American CB Clifton Duck and senior S A.J. Howard. "the Legion of Boone" as they are known,led the mountaineers to 15 interceptions last season good for seventh in the nation. Where UGA will have the most trouble is the front seven of Scott Satterfield's 3-4 defense. the Apps return all three of their starting defensive line highlighted by Myquon Stout and Tee Sims. If last year is any indication, the Georgia offensive line will have its hands full if it wants to keep these two from taking up a residence behind the line of scrimmage.



