The University of Michigan announced Thursday that in 2014 the Wolverines will open the season against Appalachian State, a team that beat them in what was one of college football’s all-time biggest upsets.
Back in 2007, which would be Lloyd Carr’s final season as head coach and a year in which the National Title was one everyone’s mind, Appalachian State came into the Big House and defeated then #5 Michigan 34-32 in front of a stunned Michigan fan base. The division I-AA school did it with the help of Mountaineers QB Armanti Edwards passing for 227 yards and three touchdown as well as rushing for 62 yards and another score.
The Mountaineers were able to seal the victory and their place in history with a blocked field goal in the fourth quarter.
“To have the University of Michigan invite us back is the ultimate compliment for us as a program and a University,” Appalachian State head coach Jerry Moore said in a release. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to have a new generation of players experience a gameday at the Big House and to test themselves against college football’s all-time winningest program.”
The big question with bringing back App State is why? Why bring back a division I-AA school that beat you before? There is absolutely nothing for Michigan to gain in this game and everything to lose. If Michigan were to beat the Mountaineers without any trouble then the pundits are going to say that’s what should happen all along and in the end it wouldn’t help Michigan’s standing in the polls. However if Michigan were to play App State close or god forbid lose, then as much as any fan might want to deny it the program is no better than what it was when they lost to them in 2007, so essentially you would be starting all over again.
Michigan 2014 schedule:
Aug. 30 : Appalachian State
Sept. 6: at Notre Dame
Sept. 13: TBA
Sept. 20: TBA
Sept. 27: at Indiana
Oct. 4: Open
Oct. 11: Michigan State
Oct. 18: at Minnesota
Oct. 25: Penn State
Nov. 1: Iowa
Nov. 8: at Nebraska
Nov. 15: Open
Nov. 22: Northwestern
Nov. 29: at Ohio State
Dec. 6: Big Ten Championship Game
Source: AnnArbor.com
