The Appalachian State Mountaineers were a very tough team to play last year… and they were a very tough team to play in 2015 as well. This program has, over the past two and a half seasons, won 27 of its last 32 games. The Mountaineers have won 20 of their last 22 games against Group of Five opponents. When they play tough teams from power conferences on the road, they usually play them close, as shown by last season’s narrow loss at Tennessee in the Thursday night opener. This program is strong and deep, and as you’ll see below, it is in very good position to win the Sun Belt in 2017 for a few specific reasons.
How Did They End 2016
Appalachian State lost to Tennessee and Miami in September. After those early setbacks, the Mountaineers lost only one more game all year. They briefly stumbled against Troy, allowing just enough big plays to cost them, but they defeated everyone else in the Sun Belt, using a smothering defense which allowed fewer than 20 points per game last season. Appalachian State believes in the old-school philosophy of running the ball, stopping the run, getting a lead, and dictating the tempo of a game. That formula worked in the latter half of last season, with the defense usually setting the tone. Appalachian State won a share of the 2016 Sun Belt title and then went to the Camellia Bowl, where it defeated Toledo in a close, exciting game.
Offseason Changes
Linebacker Kennan Gilchrist, cornerback Mondo Williams, and running back Marcus Cox are all gone and need to be replaced. They were all leaders and producers on the 2016 team, men who led both in terms of example and in terms of making clutch plays when the team needed them. The program will soon see how much depth it has cultivated when it asks new players to step up and fill these roles in 2017.
Team X-Factor
Akeem Davis is being viewed as the next great linebacker for Appalachian State. On a defense which is known for being able to provide effective and consistent run support, Davis knows how much responsibility he has. If he can play anywhere near the expectations others have for him, he and Appalachian State’s defense should be very strong this year.
What To Expect From The Mountaineers This Year
Appalachian State was not hit hard by roster turnover despite all its successes last season. The Mountaineers return most of their defense, and they bring back their starting quarterback and one of their featured running backs this season. Stability is very much in evidence for Appalachian State, which is what will make it hard to bet against this team in conference games.
Record Last 5 Seasons
2016: 10-3
2015: 11-2
2014: 7-5
2013: 3-7-1
2012: 6-4-1
Schedule and Outlook
Could Appalachian State pull another shocker right off the bat with their 2017 schedule? They’ll start the year in the SEC at Georgia against a team they are – believe it or not – capable of beating. When you look at the betting line, Georgia is only favored by 14 points, which shows that this is not simply a matchup between a powerhouse and a cupcake. If Georgia can’t sort out their passing game, App State will be in this one.
After that, Appalachian State comes home to host Savannah State in a game that should be much easier for them. Then they’ll go to Texas State and host Wake Forest to round out their September schedule. Wake Forest is a much more manageable non-conference opponent as they’re a school that’s been rebuilding for years. On the whole, App State plays six road games and six home games.
No Sun Belt Conference contender got a better schedule break than Appalachian State. Arkansas State and Troy, the two teams that battled Appalachian State for the Sun Belt title last year, are not on the 2017 conference schedule. This team should win every conference game it plays, which should mean a 10-win season if losses to Georgia and Wake Forest are assumed. Go over the number with your betting picks in this spot.
Regular Season Win Prediction: Over 9
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