Idaho vs. Appalachian State Prediction, Game Preview


Idaho at Appalachian State prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Vandals and Mountaineers.


Idaho vs. Appalachian State Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 22 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
Broadcast: ESPN3

Bobby isn’t the only member of the Petrino family doing a nice coaching job this season. Brother Paul is as well. His Vandals have won back-to-back games, and at 4-3 are enjoying a rare view from above .500 this late in the season. Heck, with an upset in Boone on Saturday, Idaho will have to be taken seriously as a Sun Belt Conference threat. However, Appalachian State is one of the league’s bellwether programs. They’ve yet to lose an SBC game, keeping Georgia State and Louisiana-Lafayette out of the end zone this month. The Mountaineers’ only two losses were to Tennessee and Miami.

What To Know About Idaho

The Vandals are thriving with offense, and in spite of a shaky defense. Idaho has scored 89 points over the last two games, both wins, getting contributions from quarterback Matt Linehan and RB Aaron Duckworth. Linehan was the leading man in last week’s New Mexico State blowout, throwing for 476 yards and touchdowns to four different receivers. Petrino will need his veteran signal-caller to be on point at Kidd Brewer this week, because his defense is a sieve, sitting 121st nationally in yards per play allowed.

What to Know About Appalachian State

Scott Satterfield’s defense has been stout since suffering a hiccup in consecutive games with Miami and Akron. The unit is littered with all-star candidates, like linebackers Kennan Gilchrist and Eric Boggs, and it leads the league in scoring D. The offense, though, has underachieved. The Mountaineers are just eighth in Sun Belt scoring and tenth in third-down efficiency, unable to capitalize on a talented backfield comprised of quarterback Taylor Lamb and running back Jalin Moore. The team has felt the absence of running back Marcus Cox, who’s missed the last three games with a quad injury.

Advantages

Offense: Appalachian State. Far closer than in should be, but the Mountaineers get the nod based on a superior ground game.

Defense: Appalachian State. A mismatch favoring the home team, which has gone more than eight quarters without yielding a touchdown.

Special Teams: Idaho. Austin Rehkow has a long career ahead in the NFL, as a punter who can also pitch in as a placekicker when needed.

Coaching: Appalachian State. Petrino is an inventive offensive coach, but Satterfield has an even brighter future ahead.

Intangibles: Appalachian State. The Mountaineers will be inspired to keep pace with Troy and Arkansas State, which are also undefeated in league play.

Matchup To Watch

Linehan vs. the Appalachian State secondary

The odds are that the Vandals won’t have a lot of success running the ball on App State. Few do. So, it’ll be up to Linehan and his top targets to solve the Mountaineer defense. Appalachian State had issues in pass defense in September, but has since plugged those holes in October.

Idaho at Appalachian State Betting Odds

Spread: Appalachian State – 21
Over/Under: No over/under as of post

Idaho at Appalachian State Prediction

Appalachian State will need to remain focused, since Idaho has the wind at its back and its own offense is sputtering. A visit from the Vandals is happening at an ideal time. Idaho’s inability to consistently make stops will help open up the floundering Mountaineer attack, regardless of whether or not Cox suits up. Meanwhile, the defense will stay hot, shutting down Duckworth and forcing Linehan to throw into tight coverage. App State wins comfortably to remain perfect in league play.

Idaho at Appalachian State Prediction: Appalachian State 35, Idaho 13

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