College Football Betting Odds Challenge: Mountaineers Face Nittany Lions

Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

Above all Appalachian State will always be remembered for their epic 2007-week one win at Michigan.  As a consequence, they became nationally renowned.  And eventually graduated from 1AA status.  Correlate the Mountaineers current success with consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles.  In the same way App State will open the 2018 season at another Big Ten power.  To be exact Penn State is picked for big things with the college football betting odds this year.  Starting with quarterback Trace McSorely the Nittany Lions are loaded with talent.  Head coach James Franklin has proven to be a recruiting machine.

Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

Date and Time:  Saturday, September 1, 2018, 3:30 p.m. ET

Location:  Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania

College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG:

TeamSpreadTotal
Appalachian St+23½ (-110)54 (-110)
Penn State-23½ (-110)54 (-110)
Bet Now on this Game

Appalachian State vs. Penn State TV Coverage: Big Ten Network

Appalachian State

For Appalachian State, Scott Satterfield has proven to be the perfect head coach fit.  To illustrate he has won 30 games in the past three years.  Along the same lines each of those seasons ended with bowl victories.  Senior running back Jalin Moore returns after running for 1037 yards with 12 touchdowns in 2017.  Especially noteworthy was his 2016 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Award.  However, four year starting quarterback Taylor Lamb is gone.  Summing up App State likes to run the ball and pay aggressive defense.

Penn State

So too has James Franklin proven to be a perfect fit as Penn State head coach.  Back to back 11-win seasons have made them attractive with the college football betting odds.  In like manner McSorley led the Big Ten in passing yards last year.  Admittedly Saquon Barley leaves a huge void at running back.  But Franklin’s recruiting should fill the running back position capably.  In fact, the coach expects the ground game to surprise people.  Especially with four returning starters on the line.  Of great concern is a graduation depleted defense.

Appalachian State Stats

Appalachian State has struggled as a road dog in recent season.  To be exact the Mountaineers have an online betting mark of 5-7 vs. the line as away pups.  Four of their last five in that role have gone under the total.  Additionally, App State has covered just three of their last nine as double-digit road dogs.  Four of their last five in that situation went under the total.

Penn State Stats

Penn State has been a reliable wagering value as a home chalk.  To demonstrate the Nittany Lions have lost just two of their last nine vs. the odds as favorites at Beaver Stadium.  Four of their last seven in that situation have gone under the total.  Further, PSU has dropped just seven of their last 20 against the spread as double digit home chalks.  Four of their last six in that position have gone under the number.

Matchup to Watch

Starting with Franklin’s top ten ranked recruiting classes Penn State will reload.  Thus, the new defensive faces should prove to be assets with the college football betting odds.  Appalachian State is certainly worthy of respect.  Nonetheless they are clearly overmatched here.

Appalachian State vs. Penn State Betting Odds Picks

To conclude Penn State has the proven ability to get the money in this role.  As mentioned earlier App State is not an effective big road dog.

Appalachian State vs. Penn State Online Betting Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions

Appalachian State vs. Penn State Online Betting Score Prediction: Penn State 42, Appalachian State 10

Check out a feature on Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley!

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