Thursday Sub Belt action features the Eagles and Mountaineers at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
SBR's Isaiah Sirois previews the matchup in his Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State prediction:
Over/Under pick: Over 62.5 (-107 via Caesars)
Game prediction: Georgia Southern +6.5 (-112 via FanDuel)
"Neither Georgia Southern nor Appalachian State’s seasons have gone according to plan. App State lost quarterback AJ Swann to an injury, but he made a triumphant return to lead a near comeback against Old Dominion, and first-year head coach Dowell Loggains has yet to name a starter.
On the other side, Georgia Southern has gotten another solid but unspectacular season from JC French, yet at 3-5, head coach Clay Helton’s squad has some work to do to secure a fourth-straight bowl appearance.
Helton’s fast-paced offensive scheme works. It’s routinely brought this team to the postseason despite underwhelming defensive play. The Eagles are 23-22-2 against the spread since Helton’s arrival in 2022 – and 23-19-2 in regular season play. The question is simply whether he has the personnel necessary to execute.
Several personnel groupings have played well for Georgia Southern. French ranks a solid 69th in passing efficiency (136.4). The offensive line leads the conference in line yards per rush (3.4). Wide receiver Camden Brown leads the conference in receiving scores (9). This unit will need to score in bunches to bail out a defense that ranks 133rd in yards allowed per play.
With App State’s offense in disarray and no clear starter at quarterback, we’re getting too many points to pass up backing Georgia Southern. Trust Helton’s squad to score the points necessary to cover the +6.5"
Best prop bet: Rashod Dubinion Over 66.5 rushing yards (-114 via FanDuel)
"Appalachian State should have its way with Georgia Southern on the ground, and while that will cause some issues for the Eagles against the spread, it opens up some betting value on the player prop markets for running back Rashod Dubinion.
Dubinion leads the Sun Belt in rushing yards with 756, good for 94.5 per contest. Although his volume has fallen off considerably since the start of the season, much of that has to do with game script. Since I anticipate a shootout, not a blowout, expect to see plenty of Dubinion on Thursday.
The matchup just screams value. Georgia Southern’s defensive line ranks last nationally in line yards allowed per rush (3.6) and second-level yards allowed per rush (1.6). Even if Dubinion’s volume remains lower than it was to start the year, he won’t need a ton of looks to rack up rushing yards."
SBR's Isaiah Sirois previews the matchup in his Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State prediction:
Over/Under pick: Over 62.5 (-107 via Caesars)
Game prediction: Georgia Southern +6.5 (-112 via FanDuel)
"Neither Georgia Southern nor Appalachian State’s seasons have gone according to plan. App State lost quarterback AJ Swann to an injury, but he made a triumphant return to lead a near comeback against Old Dominion, and first-year head coach Dowell Loggains has yet to name a starter.
On the other side, Georgia Southern has gotten another solid but unspectacular season from JC French, yet at 3-5, head coach Clay Helton’s squad has some work to do to secure a fourth-straight bowl appearance.
Helton’s fast-paced offensive scheme works. It’s routinely brought this team to the postseason despite underwhelming defensive play. The Eagles are 23-22-2 against the spread since Helton’s arrival in 2022 – and 23-19-2 in regular season play. The question is simply whether he has the personnel necessary to execute.
Several personnel groupings have played well for Georgia Southern. French ranks a solid 69th in passing efficiency (136.4). The offensive line leads the conference in line yards per rush (3.4). Wide receiver Camden Brown leads the conference in receiving scores (9). This unit will need to score in bunches to bail out a defense that ranks 133rd in yards allowed per play.
With App State’s offense in disarray and no clear starter at quarterback, we’re getting too many points to pass up backing Georgia Southern. Trust Helton’s squad to score the points necessary to cover the +6.5"
Best prop bet: Rashod Dubinion Over 66.5 rushing yards (-114 via FanDuel)
"Appalachian State should have its way with Georgia Southern on the ground, and while that will cause some issues for the Eagles against the spread, it opens up some betting value on the player prop markets for running back Rashod Dubinion.
Dubinion leads the Sun Belt in rushing yards with 756, good for 94.5 per contest. Although his volume has fallen off considerably since the start of the season, much of that has to do with game script. Since I anticipate a shootout, not a blowout, expect to see plenty of Dubinion on Thursday.
The matchup just screams value. Georgia Southern’s defensive line ranks last nationally in line yards allowed per rush (3.6) and second-level yards allowed per rush (1.6). Even if Dubinion’s volume remains lower than it was to start the year, he won’t need a ton of looks to rack up rushing yards."