Go Gophers Rah
Section 238 Row 21
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I am not trying to diminish AFA's 72-0 victory over Nicholls State, but here are a few things to consider:
Nicholls State was not in the 1-AA top-25 last year and judging by their 3-6 record in 1-AA would probably not have been in the top 50 in 1-AA. Jeff Sagarin put Nicholls State at #176 in his preseason rankings. I would assume that the worst 1-A team (Florida International as an example) would have handed them a loss.
Like AFA, Nicholls State runs the triple option. The AFA defense routinely practices against their own offense - meaning that they practice against one of the 3 best triple-option teams in the nation- did Nicholls State stand a chance?
So while I think there is nothing wrong with seeing AFA as a formidable opponent. And I also agree with the thought that we will be very fortunate to win our 1st game in The Bank, I just don't think we should place undue importance of their 72-0 loss over Nicholls State.
Remember, we beat Temple 62-0 in 2006 and then were beaten by an unranked and mediocre Purdue team the next week in 2006.
Nicholls State was not in the 1-AA top-25 last year and judging by their 3-6 record in 1-AA would probably not have been in the top 50 in 1-AA. Jeff Sagarin put Nicholls State at #176 in his preseason rankings. I would assume that the worst 1-A team (Florida International as an example) would have handed them a loss.
Like AFA, Nicholls State runs the triple option. The AFA defense routinely practices against their own offense - meaning that they practice against one of the 3 best triple-option teams in the nation- did Nicholls State stand a chance?
So while I think there is nothing wrong with seeing AFA as a formidable opponent. And I also agree with the thought that we will be very fortunate to win our 1st game in The Bank, I just don't think we should place undue importance of their 72-0 loss over Nicholls State.
Remember, we beat Temple 62-0 in 2006 and then were beaten by an unranked and mediocre Purdue team the next week in 2006.