These two teams are very similar and I actually have this game as a 24-24 final according to my math and my algorithims tell me to take the home team here and thatâs what Iâll do as Georgia Southern a very good home team.
This is known as the âDeeper Than Hateâ rivalry game, and these two used to meet when they were in the FCS and now in Sun Belt play. Both like to run the ball far more than they pass at 62% for App State and 72% for Georgia Southern who runs the option. Both teams are very good at stopping the run, but both offenses had success running the ball last year. The difference in the 31-13 final was the fact that Georgia Southern only ran it 38 times at a 4.9 ypc clip, but passed 13 times and threw 2 interceptions. Meanwhile Taylor Lamb completed 70% of his passes and threw 2 TDâs.
That will all change this year in my opinion as Lamb is simply not the same guy considering he has a completely rebuilt receiving corp. He has just 7 TDâs to 5 interceptions and we are 7 games in. He had 31 a year ago and 16 through 7 games a year ago. I think Georgia Southern can get off the field in this game and they will do a better job of staying on the field as they have a 51% third down conversion percentage this year they are actually better on offense and defense on third down than Appalachian State.
There really are not a lot of differences between these two teams. Georgia Southern is 1-6 ATS on the year so automatic line value. They are 12-1 in their last 13 home games, and App State has to travel on the road on a short week to face an option team. Iâll take the value as this one is up to 6 points.
