Head Coach Scott Satterfield and the Appalachian State Mountaineers (-7) are entering the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl as favorites against Coach Rick Stockstill and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Fans are able to catch the action live on ESPN and the game is scheduled to get going at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers
Middle Tennessee is the underdog in this matchup and is currently getting 7 points. The Blue Raiders are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Mountaineers are -270. It appears that there should be multiple decent live betting possibilities while this game is taking place, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points.
This game’s line opened at -7. The over/under has yet to move after it was initially placed at 50.5.
Each team has posted a good return this season as the Blue Raiders have recorded 4.8 units while the Mountaineers are up 1.5 units.
The Blue Raiders have gone 8-5 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Mountaineers are 10-2 SU.
The Blue Raiders lost to UAB 27-25 in a matchup where the passing attack could’ve been more effective as Brent Stockstill completed 29-of-45 passes for 362 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Chaton Mobley (39 rushing yards on nine attempts) mounted the ground attack. Gatlin Casey (seven receptions, 37 yards) and Patrick Smith (four catches, 42 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Appalachian State just got a 30-19 win over Louisiana. Zac Thomas completed six-of-13 passes for 75 yards. Darrynton Evans (111 rushing yards on 17 attempts) and Marcus Williams Jr. (54 yards on 15 carries, one TD) handled the running game while Collin Reed (two receptions, 23 yards) and Corey Sutton (two catches, 23 yards) led the receiving corps in the win.
Middle Tennessee has run the ball on 50.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Appalachian State has an overall rush percentage of 63.3 percent. The Blue Raiders have produced 133.1 rush yards/game and have 15 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Mountaineers are averaging 241.0 rush yards per game and have 30 total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Mountaineers could own an edge in terms of RB effectiveness. Their backfield has generated 5.7 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 3.6 to opponents. The Blue Raiders have recorded 3.7 yards per carry while allowing 4.1 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Blue Raiders offensive scheme has averaged 255.4 yards through the air overall and has 28 passing scores so far. The Mountaineers have recorded 188.6 pass yards per contest and have 22 total pass TDs.
Middle Tennessee has let opponents run for an average of 160.7 yards and pass for 213.6 yards per game. The Appalachian State defense has allowed 148.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 132.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Mountaineers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.14 to opponents, while the Blue Raiders have given up a 5.26 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Stockstill has amassed 2,953 yards on the year, and has connected on 279-of-398 attempts with 26 scores through the air and only eight interceptions. Stockstill’s got a 6.78 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.49 over the last two games.
Zac Thomas has managed to complete 132-of-206 passes for 1,749 yards, 16 TDs and four INTs for Appalachian State. His ANY/A stands at 8.31 for the year and 5.02 over his past two outings.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers Free NCAA Betting Tip
SU Winner: Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner: Middle Tennessee, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- Appalachian State has lost four fumbles this season while Middle Tennessee has lost eight.
- The Middle Tennessee defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 36 times this season. Appalachian State has registered just 20 sacks.
- Middle Tennessee has rushed for 3.4 yards per attempt over its last three outings and 3.8 over its last two.
- Appalachian State has averaged 5.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.8 over its last two.
- Appalachian State has won 11 of its last 12 games SU, with a -20-point defeat to Georgia Southern on October 25th representing the one loss over that span.
