Located in the small North Carolina mountain town of Boone, you will find a Football paradise where Appalachian State has made its program into a household name as the giant slayers. Appalachian State hosted College Gameday last week, following their program-defining road win over the Aggies of Texas A&M. Yet, people around College Football act as if Appalachian State is a program with little to no success as a program. To those folks, Appalachian State is just a program that is having a successful season that will be short-lived, yet, that’s so far from the truth about where the program started and where it is now.

A program with three National Championships and 20 Conference Championships makes it a household name compared to other programs that have done as App State is doing right now in College Football. Unlike the others, Appalachian State has maintained its success since the birth of its program in 1928. App State realized early on that success within a program takes a village.

Like many of their southern counterparts, App State is a generational school. Many Appalachian State fans have continued their proud traditions of excellence on and off the field. Even folks like myself who have never been to Boone have taken notice of the passionate fan base that makes the Mountaineers the program they are today. The other day, following an interview with Katie Pate on The Mitch Davis Show Podcast, my mentions were flooded with Appalachian State fans inviting me to Boone to enjoy a game day experience unlike any other in College Football.

Here’s the thing, Appalachian State may or may not have a chance to reach the College Football Playoffs, but the program deserves the respect of the masses. According to everything around the program, Appalachian State has done it the right way, and the folks in Boone, North Carolina, deserve the moment. After all, if App State continues to win, the Mountaineers will likely have the opportunity of a lifetime to represent the Sun Belt in a New Year Six Bowl Game.