In a battle featuring two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Chad Lunsford and the Georgia Southern Eagles (+8) are set to play host to the No. 25 Appalachian State Mountaineers (-8) at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Kickoff for this crucial game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and ESPNU is in line to televise the action. When the two schools faced each other last year, Appalachian State won by three touchdowns 27-6.
Betting Preview: Appalachian State Mountaineers at Georgia Southern Eagles
In this Thursday Sun Belt game, Appalachian State is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 8 points. The Mountaineers are also receiving -340 moneyline odds while the Eagles are +260. If one program gets out in front early on it would create a solid in-game betting opportunity. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 45.5 points.
Sharp bettors have been siding with both the Eagles and the under. The line initially opened at 9.5 while the game’s total was originally 49.
Each of these teams has rewarded gamblers this season as the Mountaineers have gained 2.0 units while the Eagles are up 5.3 units.
The Mountaineers are 5-1 straight up (SU), including 3-0 SU against conference opponents. The Eagles are 6-1 SU overall and are also 3-0 SU in conference play.
The Mountaineers continue to be on a roll after a 27-17 victory over Louisiana last week. Zac Thomas completed only 10-of-20 passes for 106 yards, as well as one TD and an interception. Darrynton Evans (183 yards on 26 rushes, one TD) and Marcus Williams Jr. (29 yards on 12 carries, one TD) led the ground attack while Dominique Heath (three receptions, 20 yards) and Thomas Hennigan (two catches, eight yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Georgia Southern just picked up a 48-31 win over New Mexico State. The defensive unit allowed the Aggies to rush for 148 yards on 35 attempts, including four rush TDs. Jason Huntley had a productive showing in the loss, posting 68 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 12 attempts, along with 50 yards and a score on four catches for New Mexico State. As a group, the Eagles collectively completed four-of-four passes for 77 yards. Shai Werts went four-for-four for 77 yards while Dexter Carter Jr. was -of- for yards. Monteo Garrett (76 rushing yards on 17 attempts, one TD) and Logan Wright (136 yards on 17 carries, two TDs) handled the running game while Ellis Richardson (one receptions, 31 yards) and Davarius Bargnare (one catch, 23 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Appalachian State has run the ball on 62.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia Southern has an overall rush percentage of 87.4 percent. The Mountaineers have produced 263.7 rush yards per game (including 284.0 per game against Sun Belt opponents) and have 18 scores on the ground this year. The Eagles are putting up 275.6 rush yards per game (269.0 in conference) and have 22 total rushing TDs.
Judging by the results this season, it appears that the Mountaineers could own an edge in terms of RB efficiency, as their backfield has logged 6.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.0 YPC to opponents. The Eagles have registered 5.4 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.1 to opponents.
The Mountaineers offensive scheme has averaged 211.0 yards in the air overall (139.7 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing TDs so far. The Eagles have produced 75.9 pass yards per contest (70 in the SBC) and have four total pass scores.
Defensively, Appalachian State should have the upper hand in both phases. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 112.3 yards and throw for 182.5 yards per game. The Georgia Southern D has given up 219.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 148.1 yards per game to opposing runners. The Mountaineers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.63 to opponents, while the Eagles have allowed a 4.71 ANY/A.
Werts has connected on 23-of-39 passes for 440 yards, four TDs and zero INTs for Georgia Southern. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 10.46 for the season and 5.63 over his last two outings. In the other locker room, Thomas is up to 1,002 passing yards this year, and has completed 68-of-105 attempts with nine passing touchdowns and four interceptions. Thomas has an 8.76 ANY/A for the year, though that number sits at 5.44 over the past two outings.
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Georgia Southern Eagles Free Pick
SU Winner: Appalachian State, ATS Winner: Appalachian State, O/U: Under
