This looks like a potential shootout as the Arkansas State Red Wolves (5-3) meet the Appalachian State Mountaineers (7-1). Arkansas State comes into this game looking to add to its recent success, having won four of its last five. The game will begin Thursday, Nov 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPU.
Appalachian State won a close one against Troy 44-41 last week. Marcus Cox had a big game on the ground in the win, rushing for 140 yards on 30 carries. Bobo Beathard added 62 receiving yards on four receptions. Arkansas State managed to get the win as well, beating Georgia State 48-34. Warren Wand had an outstanding performance on the ground for the Red Wolves, gaining 119 yards and one TD on 11 carries.
Appalachian State is a 12-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment.
The Mountaineers enter the game with records of 7-1 Straight Up (SU) and 5-3 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. In the past five games, Appalachian State is 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS. The Appalachian State run game is productive, currently ranking ninth in the nation with 272.4 rushing yards per game. Transitioning to the Appalachian State defense, there are some things to keep in mind when it is on the field. The Red Wolves could have a difficult time throwing the ball against the 16th-best pass defense in the nation. The Mountaineers give up 175.9 yards per game through the air. One of the keys to the game will be whether the Red Wolves can protect the ball against the ambitious defense of the Mountaineers, who rank 12th in the nation with 2.2 turnovers per game. Keep an eye on Appalachian State to turn it up a notch during the second quarter, when it averages 11.2 points per game.
On the other side, the Red Wolves have a record of 4-4 ATS and 5-3 SU. In the previous five games, Arkansas State has a record of 4-1 SU and 2-3 ATS. Arkansas State’s running backs and offensive linemen look to keep their rushing attack rolling. Over the past five games, they’ve managed an impressive 229.4 rushing yards per game. Switching gears to the Arkansas State defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. The Red Wolves are the best in the nation at preventing their opponents’ passing attack, allowing a completion rate of only 51.4%. If the Mountaineers aren’t careful throwing the ball against Arkansas State’s defense, they are going to be in some trouble. That defense has picked off the most throws on the season with two per game. With an average of 154.5 return yards per game (third-most in the country), Arkansas State has had a great deal of success with its special teams.
Predictions: SU Winner – Appalachian State, ATS Winner – Appalachian State
Notes
Appalachian State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Appalachian State’s last 8 games.
Appalachian State is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
Appalachian State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Arkansas State is 3-1 SU when leading at the half this season. Appalachian State is 7-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Remarkably, Arkansas State is only 1-2 SU in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet undefeated (4-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
