The Old Dominion Monarchs host the Appalachian State Mountaineers Saturday. We take a look at the teams below in the Old Dominion vs. Appalachian State prediction and game preview.

Old Dominion vs. Appalachian State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 26
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: American Sports Network

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Why You Need To Care

Beat the bad teams, bow to the ACC ones. Recent FBS additions Old Dominion and Appalachian State have been reading off similar scripts in the first few weeks of September. The Mountaineers exit their first of two bye weeks having shut out Howard and lost to Clemson. The Monarchs just fell to NC State after opening with losses to Eastern Michigan and Norfolk State.

Why Appalachian State Will Win

An average offense will move the ball on a flimsy Old Dominion D. And the Mountaineers are an above average attack. In QB Taylor Lamb and RB Marcus Cox, Appalachian State has the staples of a proven backfield that can move the chains through the air and on the ground.

Why Old Dominion Will Win

The Mountaineers have Cox. The Monarchs will counter with sophomore RB Ray Lawry. Before getting stuffed by the Wolfpack, Lawry had gone for more than 200 yards in consecutive games. And with each passing game, rookie Shuler Bentley is becoming more comfortable as the ODU starting quarterback.

Player Who Matters

NC State stacked the box on Saturday and held Lawry to 15 yards on 11 carries. There’s no reason why Appalachian State won’t employ the same plan, pressing up S Doug Middleton and LB John Law to support all-star DE Ronald Blair.

What’s Going To Happen?

The backs may be equal, but Appalachian State has the better quarterback, Lamb, and significantly more individual talent on defense. The ability to mix the run with the pass and hem in Lawry from time to time will help guide the Mountaineers back over the .500 mark.

Old Dominion vs. Appalachian State Prediction

Final Score: Appalachian State 31, Old Dominion 21, Line: Appalachian State -7.5, o/u: No Line
Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 2.5

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