This week, we get to see if Elon is a legitimate threat in the Southern Conference or an unfortunately sleeping dead blue parrot.
The Phoenix takes on SoCon rival Appalachian State University at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow. It's a crucial game, as I wrote about in the paper this week.
Elon dropped a 28-24 decision to the Mountaineers in a rough game at the end of last season when the Phoenix picked up a 21-0 lead in the first quarter then notched just a field goal as it watched Appalachian State come back for a win.
This year, most of the big players on both teams remain. Appalachian State still has quarterback Jamal Jackson, wide receiver Andrew Peacock and linebacker Jeremy Kimbrough, while Elon retains senior quarterback Thomas Wilson, senior wide receiver Aaron Mellette and senior linebacker Blake Thompson.
Here are the keys for each team this week:
Keys for the Phoenix
1. Score early, score often: They did it last year, they need to do it again. This would have several positive affects. If you were at last week's loss to Wofford, the Terriers scored on their first two drives (first two offensive plays actually) and were able to control the game from then on. If they do this however, they've got to keep it up.
"We have to play 60 minutes of football," said senior wide receiver Jeremy Peterson. "We just can't come out, score a bunch of points in the first half and then do the same thing we did last year and let up and let them come back."
The Phoenix must keep it up this year. Or else.
2. Defense not get loose because it's not triple-option: It's been three weeks since Elon has played an offense that did not use the triple-option style of offense. Both Georgia Southern University and Wofford's triple-option wore out Elon's defense, and Elon head coach Jason Swepson realized it.
"What I told the team (after the Georgia Southern game) was, it kind of reminds me of my days at Boston College, all those times we beat Notre Dame," Swepson said. "The following week, we would go out and get our a---s kicked. Everyone on campus was excited and we'd get pats on the back and we'd be feeling good and the following week. No matter who we played, we'd get our a-- kicked and I think that's what happened to us on Saturday (against Wofford)."
Since Appalachian State does not run the exhausting triple-option, Elon will be a little more open this weekend. But Swepson is still wary of the Mountaineers' potent offense.
"We're facing probably one of the best spread offenses and they do some option stuff, so we still have to defend the option and it's still App State," he said.
3. Remember, it's App State: That is the key in this game. If Elon stays motivated by the fact that it is Appalachian State and that they've been close the last two years to beating them for the first time in forever, they've got a solid chance at winning. In fact, that may be the only way they win.
"That game still is in the back of my mind," Peterson said when asked if last year is still in his mind. "I remember when spring ball rolled around, I came out every practice and yelled, '28-24.' Some people were looking at me like, 'What are you talking about?' I was just like, 'Well, you remember what happened last year? 28-24 was the final score against App State.' So I just try to use that score to get motivation to come out here and work as hard as I can."
If they remember all that, they're going to win. This team that I've talked to this year is motivated by Appalachian State. Aaron Mellette talked to me about last year alone for about eight minutes when I interviewed him before the season.
Keys for the Mountaineers
1. Utilize the talent in the passing game: Elon has been used to seeing a lot of rushing. It will be interesting to see how the Phoenix respond to a regular passing game. Elon is second in the nation in passing defense, but they've played two triple-option teams and a Division II school. Once they face real passing teams like Appalachian State and University of Tennessee at Chattnooga, who's been rotating two pass-callers this year, that number will go down.
Jackson leads the SoCon in passing yards (1,277) and is second in touchdowns (eight). The Mountaineers also boast three of the top receivers in the conference:
[box]Top Appalachian State Wide Receivers
Sean Price (R-Fr.): 26 receptions, 361 yards, five touchdowns Andrew Peacock (Jr.): 23 receptions, 260 yards, one touchdown Malachi Jones (Fr.): 18 receptions, 210 yards [/box]
So much for missing Brian Quick, who was drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams this past April. Note: Quick has had just one reception for 19 yards so far this season for the Rams.
"We have to get a good pass rush this weekend," said Elon junior cornerback David Wood. "And now not playing the triple option, our secondary has to step up big and create some turnovers for our offense and spark this team."
2. Play like it's your Homecoming: I'll probably use this again in a couple weeks when Elon takes on Western Carolina Univeristy Oct. 20 in the Phoenix's Homecoming celebration. Kidd Brewer Stadium is known to be one of the rowdiest in the Football Championship Subdivision. I've been there, and I agree. It's really loud and really obnoxious for any visiting team.
If Appalachian State can take advantage of the significant home-field advantage they'll have, it will be a LONG day for Phoenix. The Elon players say they're motivated by the sound and the noise of a homecoming environment and an Appalachian State crowd. If the Mountaineers can make it difficult early, Elon's going into their bye week in a bad mood.
3. Run the ball: I know this leaves me saying nothing about Appalachian State's defense, but this game is going to be ALL about offense. You think Breitenstein was bad? Mountaineers senior running back Steven Miller has 101 rushing attempts in five games this year, while Jackson has 163 passing attempts. Appalachian State has a balanced offense, and Miller and Jackson both run.
I mentioned Elon's passing defense was No.2 in the nation. Their rushing defense is No. 108. If the Mountaineers can get both avenues of offense running, Elon's doomed.
Prediction
Elon wins 35-31. I know in the past I've gotten in trouble for saying Elon's going to win a close game. But in all actuality, I believe the Phoenix will take the motivation it holds from the last two years and come out firing on all cylinders.
Andrew Wilson selects Appalachian State to win 34-30. He's 5-0 this year while I'm 3-1, my lone loss coming from the awful North Carolina debacle.
Andrew and I will be in Boone, along with our incredible staff photographer Al Drago, who shot many of the photos we've used in sports stories on our website this year. Be sure to follow us on Twitter to be up-to-date with all the action.