Georgia State vs. Appalachian State Prediction, Game Preview
Georgia State at Appalachian State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Panthers and Mountaineers.
Georgia State at Appalachian State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Panthers and Mountaineers.
Georgia State at Appalachian State Game Preview
When: Saturday, October 1 – 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
Broadcast: American Sports Network
A pair of Sun Belt teams traveling in opposite directions meet Saturday afternoon in North Carolina. Georgia State is still looking for its first win of the year, having fallen to Ball State, Air Force and Wisconsin. But the game with the eighth-ranked Badgers was a tossup in the final quarter, and the Panthers had an extra week to prepare for this trip to Boone. Appalachian State basically followed the September script, losing to Tennessee and Miami and defeating Old Dominion and Akron. Beating the Zips on the road last week was an important rebound for a Mountaineer team that could catch fire before key second-half trips to play Georgia Southern and Troy.
What To Know About Georgia State
The Eagle offense has been slow to adapt to the graduation of quarterback Nick Arbuckle and an injury to top wideout Penny Hart, who remains questionable. The team has yet to score more than 21 points in a game, and the running game is managing just 2.2 yards a carry. Hopes must hinge on a defense that held Wisconsin to six first-half points and kept Georgia State competitive for all 60 minutes. The Panthers converge on the ball quickly, often led by linebacker Alonzo McGee and safeties Bryan Williams and Bobby Baker, and are doing a sound job in pass defense.
What To Know About Appalachian State
Last week at Akron was pretty much a microcosm of what opponents will see from the Mountaineers this season. The defense can be vulnerable, but the offense is potent enough to bail the team out. Taylor Lamb is one of the Sun Belt’s premier quarterbacks, accounting for four touchdowns in the victory. And as all-league running back Marcus Cox sat with a leg injury, sophomore Jalin Moore stepped up with 257 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 39 carries. The defense sports individual stars, like inside linebacker Eric Boggs and defensive end Tee Sims, but the secondary is taking a beating through the air.
Advantages
Offense: Appalachian State. And it’s not even close, regardless of whether or not Cox is available.
Defense: Georgia State. They’re light on stars, but the Panthers performed better against Wisconsin than Michigan State did earlier this month.
Special Teams: Georgia State. Both teams failing here, but Glenn Smith gives Panthers dangerous kick returner.
Coaching: Appalachian State. Scott Satterfield is a riser, with a shot to land a Power Five opportunity at some point.
Intangibles: Appalachian State. Mountaineers eager to get back on track at home after being outclassed by Canes two weeks ago.
Matchup To Watch
Moore vs. the Georgia State linebackers
Moore made the most of his starring role a week ago, cruising for more than 200 rushing yards for the second time in his career. He, and Cox if he’s healthy, now face a blue-collar Eagle defense that’s confident after holding the Wisconsin ground game to just 3.8 yards a carry.
Georgia State at Appalachian State Betting Odds
Spread: Appalachian State -21
Over/Under: N/A
Georgia State at Appalachian State Prediction
Now that Appalachian State is back on track, it’s ready to amass a tailwind. Georgia State might be able to hang around for a while with its defense. But the gap between the two offenses is vast. The Panthers lack the running game to fully exploit App State’s flaws. The Mountaineers, meanwhile, can attack with the efficient passing of Lamb and an assertive ground game getting plenty of help up front from right guard Colby Gossett and the rest of a veteran offensive line.
Georgia State at Appalachian State Score Prediction: Appalachian State 38 Georgia State 19
