The Texas State Bobcats (+30) are heading northeast to take on their SBC nemesis No. 23 Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. This Saturday daytime game is scheduled to get going at 2:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Texas State Bobcats
Texas State is the noticeable underdog here and is currently receiving 30 points from oddsmakers. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 51.5 points, and some good live betting opportunities might be unveiled during this contest.
The early action has slanted toward the under, as the game’s total was initially set at 53.
The underwhelming Bobcats are 0-7-2 against the spread (ATS) and are down 3.0 units so far in 2019. The team has posted an Over-Under mark of 4-5.
The Mountaineers are up 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 7-3 ATS and own an even O/U record of 5-5.
The Bobcats are only 3-7 straight up (SU), including 2-4 SU against conference opponents. The Mountaineers are 9-1 SU overall and 5-1 SU in conference play.
The Bobcats fell to Troy 63-27 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Trojans to pass for 368 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 103 yards and two scores. On the offense, Tyler Vitt completed 29-of-44 passes for 263 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Anthony D. Taylor (47 yards on 13 rush attempts) led the running attack. Hutch White (seven receptions, 80 yards, one TD) and Javen Banks (five catches, 66 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Appalachian State enter this one following a 56-27 win over Georgia State. Zac Thomas completed 19-of-31 passes for 256 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Darrynton Evans (131 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and Raykwon Anderson (48 yards on 10 carries, one TD) mounted the running game while Corey Sutton (eight receptions, 173 yards, three TDs) and Malik Williams (six catches, 45 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Texas State has run the ball on 43.3 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Appalachian State has an overall rush percentage of 60.5 percent. The Bobcats have produced 83 rush yards/game (including 107.8 per game versus Sun Belt opponents) and have eight touchdowns on the ground this year. The Mountaineers are totaling 223.8 rushing yards per game (237.8 in conference) and have 25 total rush TDs.
If 2019 results are any indication, then it seems like the Mountaineers could hold an advantage when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, as their running backs has produced 5.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 4.2 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Bobcats have rushed for 2.9 yards per carry while allowing 4.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Bobcats offense has logged 244.6 yards/contest through the air overall (227.2 per game against conference opposition) and has 13 passing TDs so far. The Mountaineers have put up 201.7 pass yards per contest (223 against SBC competition) and have 20 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Texas State has allowed 209.8 rush yards and 204.6 pass yards per game. The Appalachian State defense has allowed 178.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 152.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Mountaineers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.73 to opponents, while the Bobcats have given up a 7.04 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Vitt has put up 778 yards on the year, and has completed 83-of-131 attempts with five passing scores and 11 interceptions. Vitt has a 2.43 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 5.98 over the past two outings.
Hutch White, Javen Banks and Anthony D. Taylor have combined to account for 479 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
Zac Thomas has completed 158-of-253 passes for 1,822 yards, 18 TDs and four INTs for Appalachian State. His ANY/A sits at 7.28 for the season and 6.80 over his last two outings.
We’re expecting the Mountaineers to control tempo by pounding the defense with their running backs. Along with WR Corey Sutton (518 receiving yards, six receiving TDs this season), Darrynton Evans (929 rush yards, 11 rush TDs, 71 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Marcus Williams Jr. (382 rush yards, four rush TDs) have really been focal points in the Appalachian State offense.
When these two schools faced each other a year ago, Appalachian State won handily 38-7.
Texas State Bobcats vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers Free Prediction
SU Winner: Appalachian State, ATS Winner: Texas State, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- Appalachian State has lost one fumble this season while Texas State has lost four.
- The Appalachian State defense has notched twice the sack total of Texas State this season (22 versus 11).
- Texas State, as a team, has averaged 3.0 yards per rush attempt across its last three games and 3.2 over its last two.
- Appalachian State has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.3 over its past two.
- Over its last three games, Appalachian State is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Texas State’s previous game was set at 64.5. The over cashed in the team’s 63-27 defeat to Troy.
- Over its last three contests, Texas State is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Appalachian State’s previous outing was 61.5. The over cashed in the 56-27 win over Georgia State.
