This is it. If it’s not the Sun Belt championship game, it’s among the biggest games of the league’s season and will determine a champion in one way or another. Georgia Southern (5-1) is rolling, winning five straight after the opening day shutout loss to West Virginia. The running game is the best in America, averaging 399 yards per game, and the defense is getting the job done. However, the Eagles haven’t played a team with a pulse since beating Western Michigan 43-17 in mid-September.
Appalachian State (5-1) is also on fire, winning four straight after getting crushed by Clemson. It, too, hasn’t played anyone all that good for a while, but the offense is hot, the defense is better, and after allowing a total of 30 points in five games – taking out the Clemson game, it’s time to make a run for the Sun Belt title. Check out the Georgia Southern vs. Appalachian State Game Preview and Prediction.
Georgia Southern vs. Appalachian State Game Preview
Broadcast
Date: Thursday, Oct. 22
Game Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
Network: ESPNU
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Why Georgia Southern Will Win
The machine is on. With quarterback Kevin Ellison out of the opener, Georgia Southern never got going against West Virginia. The next week, the offense had its footing rolling for 413 yards and five scores against Western Michigan. Since then, the Eagles have rushed for over 400 yards four times, over 500 yards last week against New Mexico State, and took it easy on Citadel with 383 yards and six scores. Appalachian State knows the Eagles can work inside and out, but that doesn’t mean it can slow this thing down. GSU is playing way too well.
Why Appalachian State Will Win
The Mountaineer offense can more than keep up the pace. It might not be the Georgia Southern running game, but Marcus Cox has been outstanding with five 100-yard games in the six, and while he’s not the home run hitter that GSU’s Matt Brieda is, he’s a sound, steady six yards per carry for the attack – ASU might be able to keep GSU off the field for long stretches. Defensively, the linebacking foursome of John Law, Eric Boggs, Kennan Gilchrist and Devan Stringer should be able to control the game a little bit. They’re active tacklers who can move and get behind the line. How do you stop the GSU attack? Get into the backfield before it starts, and ASU can do that.
What’s Going To Happen?
You don’t think there’s a little bit of revenge on the minds of Appalachian State after getting pummeled 34-14 last year? The Mountaineer defense is far stronger, and the offense more balanced, but will that matter when Georgia Southern is controlling the clock and the game? ASU will be jacked up at home, but the Eagles will get up early and control the game throughout by owning the time of possession – a key part to ASU’s success.
Georgia Southern vs. Appalachian State Prediction
Final Score: Georgia Southern 31, Appalachian State 27, Line: Appalachian State -6.5, o/u: 61
Must See Rating: 5: Bridge of Spies – 1: Rock The Kasbah … 4.5
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