After a gutsy win over Texas A&M last week, and a visit from College GameDay, the Appalachian State Mountaineers were definitely riding high.
But today furthered everyone’s belief in the football program, a belief that Luke Combs already held, and securely stated this morning while guest hosting in the college pick portion of the show.
Before Luke shared his pick for the big game, Pat McAfee shared his belief that choosing the Mountaineers over Troy was an easy choice, even easier than knowing that a “long neck ice cold beer never broke [his] heart,” which he sang loudly to the guest host.
Lee Corso also chose App State, placing the Yosef Mascot firmly on his head in unison with the crowds cheers.
After insulting Texas A&M one final time, Luke went on to inevitably choose App State to defeat the Troy Trojans at home today (duh).
He gave a rallying speech that all App State alums and fans would have to give a standing ovation to:
“Alright, listen. App State v. Michigan, I was a senior in high school. I watched it happen! National champions, okay?
Take Tennessee to overtime, take Penn State to overtime, beat Carolina IN Carolina, score 40 points in the fourth quarter, beat Texas A&M.
You are gonna see a team that is rife for a Power Five bid coming onto that field and laying lumber. NO chance.
App State by a million!”
One hell of a locker room speech, especially from a man who has been unabashed in his support for the mountain school.
However, the Troy v. App State game was anything but a domination. The teams took to the field in pretty even stance, leaving App State with a 4 point deficit in the final minute of the fourth quarter.
After an unexpected safety brought the score a bit closer, the Mountaineers took to the field for a final drive, battling the clock with their first 3 unsuccessful passes. T
he final play of the game brought them nose-to-nose with a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt, and what looked to be a botched throw batted down by a Trojan, was caught by App State for a drive to the end zone, sealing the win – a most valiant attempt to make Luke Combs impassioned pick the moment of the day.
There’s still quite a bit of football left tonight, but in the words of Luke Combs, it’s always “App State by a million.”
