Game: Georgia State Panthers @ Appalachian State Mountaineers
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Panthers +10.5, Mountaineers -10.5
Total: 59.5
On paper, Appalachian State seems to be the superior team, but their struggles in the early portion of the schedule raise some questions. When they defeated Texas A&M, which was ranked in the Top 10, 17-14 in Week 2 of the season, the Mountaineers pulled off one of the greater upsets of the year. The Georgia State Panthers have won two straight games and appear to be playing well just in time, despite the fact that Appalachian State is still a 10.5-point home favorite this week.
Both teams have had a difficult start to this season. After dropping their first two conference games, the Mountaineers are already in a difficult spot. After narrowly losing to James Madison, the newest FBS team, they were shocked by Texas State last week. Prior to winning its last two straight games, Georgia State had dropped its first four games of the season.
After shocking Texas A&M early on, App State appeared poised for yet another fantastic campaign. But for the first time since 2014, the Mountaineers have dropped three of their opening six games. They have consistently been a Sun Belt contender, but their most recent loss to Texas State generated concerns about the job security of head coach Shawn Clark.
The Mountaineers played without a few of their top players against Texas State due to the absence of two starting linebackers and Christian Wells at wide receiver. The Mountaineers are also carrying some injuries into this week. Kaedin Robinson, a wide receiver, also had to leave last week’s game due to injuries. There is no information available as to whether any of the injured Mountaineers will play tonight.
It was no surprise when Georgia State lost its first three of its first four games of the season to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Coastal Carolina. However, the 49ers’ loss to Charlotte resulted in the 49ers’ lone victory thus far this year. The Panthers’ two victories in a row might show that their non-conference schedule won’t have a lasting effect on their Sun Belt performance.
This season, both teams have had trouble covering the spread, going 2-4 ATS overall. In previous years, Georgia State has performed well at this time of year. In their previous 28 games played in October, the Panthers are 21-6-1 ATS. Additionally, they have a 10-1 ATS record in their previous 11 games following a straight-up win. The Panthers have been a profitable wager for bettors with a 7-2 ATS record in their last nine Sun Belt Conference games.
The Mountaineers, in comparison, have been slipping, going 0-5 ATS in their previous five Sun Belt games. Appalachian State has not done well at home either. They are 1-5 ATS in their last six games at home. In head-to-head play, Georgia State has never beaten the Mountaineers. They are 0-8 SU. App State is 5-2-1 ATS in those eight games.
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