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Michigan gets shot at redemption vs Appalachian St

By WTOP Staff

LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan has a chance to even its series with Appalachian State. And maybe erase some of the memories of one of the biggest upsets in college football history.

The Wolverines were beaten 34-32 at the Big House by the Mountaineers in 2007, becoming the first Top 25 team to lose to a second-tier program. Three years ago, Michigan decided to take another shot at beating Appalachian State and scheduled a rematch Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

The Wolverines have dismissed the historical angle of the game and any notion of redemption, saying they are simply focused on bouncing back from a disappointing 7-6 season.

Appalachian State is hoping last year was an aberration as it moves to the Sun Belt Conference and into the Bowl Subdivision. The Mountaineers were 4-8 in coach Scott Satterfield’s debut, the school’s first losing season since 1993 and first one with eight losses since 1979.

Like it was in 2007, Michigan is favored to win by a lot and is nearly a five-touchdown favorite.

“I think just the fact that we beat them in ’07, it proves the underdog can win,” Satterfield said.

Here are some things to watch Saturday in the season opener for both teams:

MOVING ON UP: Appalachian State will have about 20 more players on scholarship than it had seven years ago when it stunned Michigan, making a game-winning kick with 26 seconds left and blocking one as time expired to pull off the upset. The Mountaineers will have more young men in uniform because they’ve joined the highest level of college football as a member of the Sun Belt Conference after 32 seasons as a second-tier program and more than four decades in the NAIA.

ADVANTAGE APP STATE?: Michigan’s weakness seems to be its offensive line, a unit that is replacing a pair of senior tackles from a group that struggled to protect quarterback Devin Gardner and to open lanes for the running game. The Wolverines plan to count on true freshman Mason Cole to start at left tackle in an opener for the first time in school history. Sophomore Ben Braden is slated to make his first career start at right tackle. Coach Brady Hoke is keenly aware that Appalachian State has much more experience on its side up front. “Their offensive line, they have 130 starts between eight of them,” Hoke said.

ON THE GROUND: The Wolverines will use multiple formations, putting Gardner under center and in the shotgun, but they are determined to return to their roots as a running team under first-year coordinator Doug Nussmeier. He was hired away from Alabama after Hoke fired his friend and offensive coordinator Al Borges. A slimmed-down Derrick Green emerged as the No. 1 running back, beating out De’Veon Smith, Justice Hayes and Drake Johnson for the job. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Green has lost 28 pounds since last season, giving him a better chance to take advantage of the opportunity.

DYNAMIC DEBUTS: Michigan might have breakout performances from freshmen on both sides of the ball. Highly touted recruit Jabrill Peppers is expected to be a starting defensive back and to get the first chance to return punts. When Gardner drops back to throw, Freddy Canteen, a sleek and speedy receiver, has a chance to turn a short catch into a long gain.

STAY OUT THERE: Devin Funchess came to Michigan to play tight end. The 6-4, 230-pound junior has found a new home as a wide receiver. He potentially gives the Wolverines a big-play option because of his size, speed and ability to leap over defenders to make catches. Funchess set a school record with 748 yards receiving as a tight end last year, and may have a chance to increase that total by quite a bit because Gardner’s go-to receiver, Jeremy Gallon, has graduated.

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Follow Larry Lage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/larrylage

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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