Topic: Doc’s biggest win

[CharlestonHerdGuy]

At least I can’t think of any that’s bigger. I loved beating Maryland in 2013 after they beat WVU 37-0, but beating a top 25 team on one of the big three networks has to be even bigger. If nothing else, just the perception is huge.

[goherd24]

That Maryland win is his best win, followed by a lucky win at Louisville, then La Tech in the title game and then appy in my book.

[MUther]

Should have been #15 or 20 but we Doc'ed a lot of opportunities over the years.  For instance, beating Boise at Boise last year gives us ten wins, some street cred, and takes the sting out of the Cincy game

[ThunderValley]

Maryland was a good win and so was Appy.....all wins are good.
I just hope the wins this year are “out the door” wins

[CharlestonHerdGuy]

That Maryland win is his best win, followed by a lucky win at Louisville, then La Tech in the title game and then appy in my book.

The Louisville win was big just because they were a BCS team and they did beat WVUa few games later, but they weren’t considered a very good team at the time we played them.  That year (2011) always stood out to me because SAGARIN actually ranked our SOS tougher than WVU’s.  That team was actually probably better than most gave them credit for.  I agree that winning the conference championship is a huge one.  Neither were on one of the big three networks though against a top 25 team. I just think the perception of that is huge if nothing else.

[Herdmeister]

That Maryland win is his best win, followed by a lucky win at Louisville, then La Tech in the title game and then appy in my book.

Im in pretty much agreement on that. Let's be honest,  if the MWC, Big 10 and PAC 12 were playing, App State wouldn't have been a top 25 team

[puma]

App St has been good for a very long time. I think it's realistic to expect some momentum and carry over of their rank from last year. Being ESPN's darling doesn't hurt either. If their rank at the end of last year was undeserving, what was Marshall's in 2014?

[herdfifteen]

Im in pretty much agreement on that. Let's be honest,  if the MWC, Big 10 and PAC 12 were playing, App State wouldn't have been a top 25 team

I disagree, App State has been in and around the top 25 for some time now and with a great majority of starters returning they were certainly getting lots of looks. Other than Boise the MWC and Pac 12 were not rated considerably better  than App.

[goherd24]

The Louisville win was big just because they were a BCS team and they did beat WVUa few games later, but they weren’t considered a very good team at the time we played them.  That year (2011) always stood out to me because SAGARIN actually ranked our SOS tougher than WVU’s.  That team was actually probably better than most gave them credit for.  I agree that winning the conference championship is a huge one.  Neither were on one of the big three networks though against a top 25 team. I just think the perception of that is huge if nothing else.

I understand that, but we aren't average fans, or casual. The casual person sees those wins as bigger because they are a name program. Those name wins mean more. I'd put a win over any p5 above any g5, except for title games, and i think most others would as well. While I realize NIU was better than Maryland, Maryland win got us a ton of press going into 2014, and it was talked about constantly how we beat Maryland. No one ever whispered that we beat NIU, or cared. To be honest, including me. I was disappointed we didn't take the p5 that year. If you want more proof, UCF will and has gotten much more credit for beating unranked Georgia Tech, than we ever will for appy

[coalherd]

One factor that stands out to me is that this team, after two games, and NO spring ball and a rather restrictive pre season of practice, appears a lot MORE focused and disciplined than recent Doc teams!  Fewer turnovers and less penalties, although the team did have more of the latter than we would have liked due, in large part, to a bunch of "flag happy" Zebras from the Big Eight.  Hopefully, these trends of improvement in those two areas can continue and that we possibly may be looking at a very good, maybe "special", season!!

[puma]

One factor that stands out to me is that this team, after two games, and NO spring ball and a rather restrictive pre season of practice, appears a lot MORE focused and disciplined than recent Doc teams!  Fewer turnovers and less penalties, although the team did have more of the latter than we would have liked due, in large part, to a bunch of "flag happy" Zebras from the Big Eight.  Hopefully, these trends of improvement in those two areas can continue and that we possibly may be looking at a very good, maybe "special", season!!

Plus, the last minute change in QB1 under very question and negative circumstances.

I noticed the same things and I don't get it either. They came out firing on all cylinders against EKU and then looked very good against App State. There were some kinks (like those early App drives) but the they really didn't look rusty. Something looked very different and I don't even know what it was. Maybe Cramsey playing a bigger role, new leaders stepping up, or toxic influences gone? There must be something going on behind the scenes.

Excessive penalties or a young QB throwing under pressure will fix with time. The fundamentals are there for a solid season.

[THECHAMPISHERE]

Louisville whatever. The same Louisville that finished 7-6 that year and ALSO lost to FIU in a Big East that many publications had ranked LOWER than CUSA. If that is Doc's biggest win that is sad.

And Maryland? Maryland who went 3-5 in the ACC and was again 7-6. Maryland was the 9th or 10th best team in the ACC that year...

This is where we hang Doc's hat?...on teams that finished 1 win above .500. WOW!

The App State team we just played would have killed either of those teams.

[The E-Man]

Louisville whatever. The same Louisville that finished 7-6 that year and ALSO lost to FIU in a Big East that many publications had ranked LOWER than CUSA. If that is Doc's biggest win that is sad.

And Maryland? Maryland who went 3-5 in the ACC and was again 7-6. Maryland was the 9th or 10th best team in the ACC that year...

This is where we hang Doc's hat?...on teams that finished 1 win above .500. WOW!

The App State team we just played would have killed either of those teams.

I totally agree! but Doc apologist will say, we're ranked now and forget about the years of misery under his leadership. We still need a coaching change. Even if Doc wins out this year, there's no reason to renew his contract. To be perfectly honest, our defense and offensive coordinators are doing an outstanding job calling the game. Either Cramsey or Lambert would make good candidates. Doc owes us and the best way for him to pay Herd fans back is to win out and pass the torch.

[CharlestonHerdGuy]

I understand that, but we aren't average fans, or casual. The casual person sees those wins as bigger because they are a name program. Those name wins mean more. I'd put a win over any p5 above any g5, except for title games, and i think most others would as well. While I realize NIU was better than Maryland, Maryland win got us a ton of press going into 2014, and it was talked about constantly how we beat Maryland. No one ever whispered that we beat NIU, or cared. To be honest, including me. I was disappointed we didn't take the p5 that year. If you want more proof, UCF will and has gotten much more credit for beating unranked Georgia Tech, than we ever will for appy

I can’t really disagree with what you’re saying although I do put a little more importance on that “top 25” label.  NIU was neither top 25 nor P5 so I agree that that opponent was a little disappointing.  Doc has several BCS/P5 wins though (Louisville, Maryland, and Purdue). Now he can add a top 25 win to his resume.

[Flat Tire 2]

I have no desire to get in to this debate. I live in NC and Appy State is not on the radar of the average NC sports fan. It is not like when we knocked off Kansas State when they were ranked in The Top 10 and we made national press. It was a nice win let's be happy.

[THECHAMPISHERE]

I can’t really disagree with what you’re saying although I do put a little more importance on that “top 25” label.  NIU was neither top 25 nor P5 so I agree that that opponent was a little disappointing.  Doc has several BCS/P5 wins though (Louisville (7-6), Maryland (7-6), and Purdue (2-10) "P5" teams that were no better than SunBelt schools). Now he can add a top 25 win to his resume.

[CharlestonHerdGuy]

Sagarin ranked Louisville ahead of every single Sunbelt school in 2011 and the same with Maryland in 2014, but Purdue ... yeah ... I see your point.  They were bad. Really bad. Purdue ranked dead last in the Big 10 that year and would’ve ranked 4th in the Sunbelt.

[Big City]

To me it’s more about missed opps especially when we are saying an appy state, 2011 Louisville or Maryland is the biggest win. These are good wins but certainly not great wins. It was embarrassing when cbs flashed the 1 win out of how many opps? When you are a small g5 you must capitalize on the opportunities at hand.

[puma]

Sagarin ranked Louisville ahead of every single Sunbelt school in 2011 and the same with Maryland in 2014, but Purdue ... yeah ... I see your point.  They were bad. Really bad. Purdue ranked dead last in the Big 10 that year and would’ve ranked 4th in the Sunbelt.

The Sunbelt comparison is really interesting. It's amazing how much that conference has improved since 2014.

[puma]

Talking about P5 games and missed opportunities. There have been so many beatable, middling P5 games over the years (like Pitt & NC State), it's just been maddening but Virginia Tech in 2018 really stands out to me. I was late to the party but that was my breaking point with Doc.

It was embarrassing enough that Marshall was hired on, like some kind of homecoming fodder, to be a patsy so 5-6 VT could get a bowl game. Suffering through 4 quarters of terrible football and a blowout loss sucked, too. But the worst part was that in the following week, it was reported all over the national media that VT didn't want to be there and weren't even trying to win (there was a complete breakdown in the locker room). That was just ridiculous.

That's when it became readily apparent that Doc was a terrible coach and being a good C-USA team wasn't the same as being a top G5.

[THECHAMPISHERE]

Talking about P5 games and missed opportunities. There have been so many beatable, middling P5 games over the years (like Pitt & NC State), it's just been maddening but Virginia Tech in 2018 really stands out to me. I was late to the party but that was my breaking point with Doc.

It was embarrassing enough that Marshall was hired on, like some kind of homecoming fodder, to be a patsy so 5-6 VT could get a bowl game. Suffering through 4 quarters of terrible football and a blowout loss sucked, too. But the worst part was that in the following week, it was reported all over the national media that VT didn't want to be there and weren't even trying to win (there was a complete breakdown in the locker room). That was just ridiculous.

That's when it became readily apparent that Doc was a terrible coach and being a good C-USA team wasn't the same as being a top G5.

Then there is the other VT game that was in our hands that went to OT where Doc didn't even try to win. Run up the middle, run up the middle, run up the middle, kick a field goal in a driving rain storm.

[Brando3213]

I totally agree! but Doc apologist will say, we're ranked now and forget about the years of misery under his leadership. We still need a coaching change. Even if Doc wins out this year, there's no reason to renew his contract. To be perfectly honest, our defense and offensive coordinators are doing an outstanding job calling the game. Either Cramsey or Lambert would make good candidates. Doc owes us and the best way for him to pay Herd fans back is to win out and pass the torch.

I'm not a Doc apologist and I've questioned the direction of this program many times.  With that said I don't believe Doc is going anywhere while Wells is our QB.  Personally, I would like to see this group stay together and see what happens the next 2-3 years.  With the new Covid rules next years team has a shot at being the best team we've had in 17-18 years.  Herd fans need to be realistic and concede the fact Doc isn't going anywhere. 

[sardistim]

Doc's biggest win is the next game.  I'm serious.  Forget all this talk about historical games in past seasons.  That's talk for the off-season.

We are currently the #25 team in the country (yes, ala Corona).  First time ranked since 2014, only the what? -- 5th or 6th season in I-A -- so the biggest win in Doc's coaching history is the next game.

Doc has had a terrible record of losing away games to teams he should have finished off by halftime.  Last year's losses to MTSU and UNCC are a case in point.  Our next 2 games are away games against first, a thorn in Doc's side, and then against possibly the 2nd best team in CUSA.  If we lose either of these games, the win against App State means little.  Being the hunted is tougher psychologically than being the hunter.  Even Pruett had trouble with that -- remember the Troy game after beating Kansas State, or riding into VaTech as the #18 ranked team in the country?  On second thought, forget I put those thoughts in your mind.

This team has gotten off to a start that could keep it ranked for much of the season -- going out for a few weeks as Big 10 comes in, but coming back as we knock off CUSA foes while other ranked teams lose -- but only if we keep winning.

Doc has bowl preparation time to get ready for a dangerous WKU team that almost beat us last year.  It's time to beat them soundly, like we should have in 2014.  Doc's biggest win is the next game.

[The E-Man]

I'm not a Doc apologist and I've questioned the direction of this program many times.  With that said I don't believe Doc is going anywhere while Wells is our QB.  Personally, I would like to see this group stay together and see what happens the next 2-3 years.  With the new Covid rules next years team has a shot at being the best team we've had in 17-18 years.  Herd fans need to be realistic and concede the fact Doc isn't going anywhere.

While I'm "extremely happy" we're heading in the right direction, we haven't won a championship yet. You can't expect Herd fans to forget about the worse losses and misery for years with Doc as coach. The last time we played for a championship was (2014, six years ago). This is why teams like Appy State, Boise, WKU, no longer respect our once proud program. We have lost 2 generation of fans, because of poor coaching choices in Doc, and Snyder. As for Doc, will be just fine if his contract is not renewed. We have great coaches in the waiting that Wells and others would love to play for.

[coalherd]

Doc's biggest win is the next game.  I'm serious.  Forget all this talk about historical games in past seasons.  That's talk for the off-season.

We are currently the #25 team in the country (yes, ala Corona).  First time ranked since 2014, only the what? -- 5th or 6th season in I-A -- so the biggest win in Doc's coaching history is the next game.

Doc has had a terrible record of losing away games to teams he should have finished off by halftime.  Last year's losses to MTSU and UNCC are a case in point.  Our next 2 games are away games against first, a thorn in Doc's side, and then against possibly the 2nd best team in CUSA.  If we lose either of these games, the win against App State means little.  Being the hunted is tougher psychologically than being the hunter.  Even Pruett had trouble with that -- remember the Troy game after beating Kansas State, or riding into VaTech as the #18 ranked team in the country?  On second thought, forget I put those thoughts in your mind.

This team has gotten off to a start that could keep it ranked for much of the season -- going out for a few weeks as Big 10 comes in, but coming back as we knock off CUSA foes while other ranked teams lose -- but only if we keep winning.

Doc has bowl preparation time to get ready for a dangerous WKU team that almost beat us last year.  It's time to beat them soundly, like we should have in 2014.  Doc's biggest win is the next game.

Last paragraph says it all.  Doc it appears will have all the prep time in the world to get ready for WKU.  Each passing day without any word as to an addition to our schedule means a 3 week gap between the Appy and WKU games is more likely.  Biggest problem is in the opposite direction.  That of keep the team's interest, having them perform well and crisply in practice and not have boredom, practice weariness, etc., set in.   No games for 3 weeks should mean that the team should be chomping at the bit come kickoff time on October 10th!  That of course depends on how Doc and staff conduct the practices, maintain discipline among the team ON and Off the field in the next couple of weeks, and how the team players will conduct and discipline themselves, matters of maturity, until the WKU game.