![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/jmusportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/crapp-st..jpg\" "\\"crapp")
<\/a>What to do w\/out Armanti?!<\/p><\/div>\n
But one thing we wanted to do was take a quick look at arguably the two biggest powerhouses in FCS (certainly over the last decade),\u00a0 Appalachian St. and Montana.\u00a0 I also tend to think these two programs bear quite a resemblance to our own beloved Dukes despite the fact that sort of makes me puke in my mouth a little.<\/p>\n
Alas, since we don’t actually play either of them in the regular season, and because other’s have done the work already, in the end I’m just providing links to some great previews of both teams.<\/p>\n
App. St. Preview <\/a>from Bleacher Report here.\u00a0 Montana preview <\/a>from The Missoulian.\u00a0<\/p>\n As to our feelings on the two programs, they could not be more disparate.\u00a0 In spite of the remaining sting of the ’08 semi loss at Bridgeforth (where Rodney was injured and Drew proved why we have so much to be excited about this year) and the highway robbery in the ’06 Mascot Challenge, I definitely respect, if not admire, the Grizzlies program.\u00a0 They’ve built great tradition in Missoula, consistently pack one of the largest and most intimidiating home fields\u00a0in the nation, and have great fans.\u00a0Nearly all of my\u00a0experiences at the ’04 title game and the ’08 semi were pleasant, good-natured, and felt like a meeting of my tribe.\u00a0 A tribe that understands the great things about 1-AA, loves their team, has high hopes for their program’s futures, but generally remains cognizant of the fact this ain’t Eagles\/Giants.<\/p>\n On the other hand, (cr)App. St. brings nothing but bile to the back of my throat and that’s all I have to say about that.\u00a0 The fact the Mountaineers are in reality one of the closest things to a mirror image of the Dukes (sizable state school with big dreams and a bit of an\u00a0inferiority complex)\u00a0and certainly more comparable than some of our\u00a0in-state snotty rivals\u00a0only irritates me more.<\/p>\n JMUSB 2010 Montana prediction: 9-2, Still a #1 seed.\u00a0 As usual, UM’s schedule is mostly western creampuffs and contains no FBS opponent (who in the west would want to play them?).\u00a0 Therefore, even the loss of Head Coach Bobby Hauck and all-everything Mariani shouldn’t kill them too much, but we’re guessing the have\u00a0a snag along the way and finally drop a rivalry game with the Montana St. Bobcasts to limp into the postseason.\u00a0 That said, the committee hearts them big-time and Montana’s committed fanbase would make a good showing in the first FCS Title Game in Frisco, Texas, so we’re guessing that slide into top seed anyway.<\/p>\n JMUSB 2010 Appalachian St. prediction: 9-2, seeded in playoffs.\u00a0 It really is difficult to see the Mountaineers losing ANY of their first NINE games.\u00a0 The SoCon is a joke right now for them and they’ll be riding high throughout the season, probably cruising for a #1 ranking at some point as the CAA big boys beat each other up, but they will not have been tested at all before they play Wofford to wrap up their conference schedule.\u00a0 The Terriers are always tough and we’re guessing a combination of arrogance and looking ahead to their finale trips them up.\u00a0 As to that finale, can’t say they don’t play anyone because they go The Swamp Nov. 20th to play the Gators, yes, the real Florida Gators.\u00a0 Like we said, 9-2.<\/p>\n