I was thrilled for the Mountaineers to see their win at Michigan. I had just been up to Boone on Wednesday to talk with Coach Moore and a few of the players and I could certainly tell they were a confident bunch, but even coach Moore told me the best you can do is your best and realize they are Michigan and you’re Appalachian State.

As excited as I was about Appalachian State I was equally disappointed for Tom Knotts and his Patriot team to see their 109 game winning come to a sudden end in overtime against Cincinnati’s Elder High School.

The great gift of almost every sport is that when any given game is over, it’s over. The next game is a new chance to start over. In sports, as it is for nearly everyone in any professional endeavor, you’re only as good as your last game.

For the Patriots, the goal is simple: Pick themselves up, remember what a talented and skilled team they are and get ready for West Charlotte, who will be more than happy to take full advantage of the Patriots if they want to feel the least bit sorry for themselves.

For the Mountaineers, the goal is equally as simple. Take the field at Kidd Brewer Stadium this Saturday with the same passion and energy that helped them silence The Big House and remember that just as they knocked off the Wolverines, if they don’t play well they will open themselves up to being upset. How fired up would Lenior-Rhyne be to beat the team who beat Michigan? Yea, it won’t happen. But as surly as I say that, there were those who said the Mountaineers would never beat Michigan.

It’s really the same challenge that any team who takes the field this week faces. Believe in yourself, don’t believe the hype. The fun part is we get to sit back and watch.