Commentary: Saturday may give realistic look at ASU
By Steve Behr, sports editor

sports@wataugademocrat.com

Saturday is the day that the real Appalachian State season begins.

Yes, it was exciting to see the Mountaineers beat Michigan 34-32. And a record crowd of 28,802 packed Kidd Brewer Stadium to watch Appalachian State smother an overmatched Lenoir-Rhyne 48-7.

But Northern Arizona is the first Football Championship Subdivision (can we please get a better name for I-AA football?) team the Mountaineers will face. It is likely that we’ll get a good glimpse into the future of 2007 and just really where the Mountaineers stand.

Northern Arizona coach Jerome Souers said in his conference call that Appalachian State is the measuring stick of football. No argument from me.

He has a good reason to think that. Appalachian State, the unanimous choice for the FCS No. 1 ranking in both the coaches and The Sports Network polls, has won the last two national championships. They are riding a 16-game winning streak and have won 28 straight games in the friendly confines of Kidd Brewer Stadium.

They have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the nation in Armanti Edwards and probably the best backup in Trey Elder. We’re not sure who will play Saturday, but my guess is that Elder will start with Edwards resting, unless he’s needed.

With that said, this is really Appalachian State’s first chance at really seeing where it stands in FCS football.

The win over Michigan was dramatic and a good clue at just how good this team can be. And the bad news for the rest of those who will line up against the Mountaineers is that Appalachian State did not play a perfect game that fateful day. The Mountaineers turned the ball over three times, including an near-fatal interception in the fourth quarter after Michigan claimed a 32-21 lead.

Imagine if the Mountaineers can play better.

They took a 38-0 lead on Lenoir-Rhyne before the concession stand lines could get three deep before halftime. With all due respect to the Bears, who I think will see plenty of success under the guidance of coach Fred Goldsmith, they really were no test for the Appalachian State starters.

Northern Arizona will be. The Lumberjacks are one of the up-and-comers in the Big Sky Conference.

They’ve got fast players running the same offense Appalachian State’s fast players run. They could even make a return trip to Boone if they make the playoffs this fall.

Nobody at the Watauga Democrat Sports Institute is expecting an upset Saturday. We fully expect the Mountaineers, if they don’t beat themselves with turnovers or any other key mistakes, to handle the Lumberjacks.

But Saturday’s game should provide some insight as to what the season may or may not look like. If it’s like the 2006 playoffs, prepare for an ASU blowout.