Troy Trojans at App State Mountaineers: Preview, TV, Streaming Start Time, Betting Line, Spooky-ness

Game: Troy Trojans (2-5 overall, 1-2 Sun Belt) at Appalachian State Mountaineers (6-1 overall, 3-0 Sun Belt)

Location: Kidd-Brewer Stadium, Boone, North Carolina

Time: 3:30 pm ET/2:30 pm CT

TV/Streaming: Watch ESPN/ESPN3.com

Radio: Appalachian IMG Sports Network, Troy Network

Betting Line: App State -24 (opened at App State -23.5), O/U is 55 (opened at 51.5)

Forecast: Mid 50's getting into the high 40's late in the game with increased cloud cover. No threat of rain during the game.

Looking At Troy- By Jacob

WE’RE BACK

After a brutal stretch, one that involved a loss to Idaho, the Trojans returned with a 52-7 thrashing of the measly New Mexico State Aggies.

Now, Troy faces an opponent on the clear opposite end of the spectrum. The Trojans will go on the road to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers, who just happen to be 6-1. Neal Brown's Trojans sit near the bottom of the conference at 2-5, and desperately need a big upset win on the road this weekend to keep any hope the team has left.

That most certainly is easier said than down, especially when you've lost to Idaho.

Unfortunately for Troy, quarterback Brandon Silver will once again be the key to the game for Troy. Silvers has a lot of talent, but seems to get in his own way a lot. The sophomore has put the Trojans in position to win games on several occasions, but has also thrown games away (literally) just as often.

Unless we see an overnight, complete transformation, Trojan fans can't count on the defense. That means this game rests squarely on the shoulders of Brandon Silvers. The quarterback threw for five touchdowns last week, but will have his first real conference test this week. If Troy is to have any hope of pull off the upset, Silvers must have a career game. With a weak defense and a running game that has been extremely underwhelming, Silvers is the one-and-only key to the game.

Yea, we're gonna lose.

Looking At App State - By Thomas

Everything is peachy in App land. The Mountaineers disposed of their most-hated rivals last week to become bowl eligible. All Fun Belt eyes are looking ahead to next week and the match-up with Arkansas State. But first, the Apps have a hurdle in the Trojans of Troy.

383 days ago, the Apps trudged down to Troy 1-5 overall on the year and having just lost to FCS Liberty. A touchdown underdog, the Apps ran away with a 53-14 victory that started the tidal wave that has continued since.

App State is the only team in the nation that is in the Top 20 in both total offense and total defense, so everything seems to be poisonous for the opposition. Marcus Cox is averaging 111 yards a game on the ground and Taylor Lamb is averaging 190.4 in the air with 17 touchdowns against 7 picks.

Defensively, it's even scarier. App has allowed the second-lease points in FBS with 84 behind Michigan's 65. Take away Clemson's 41 and that averages to just over 7 points per win. App State is also on pace to shatter the FBS record for red zone defense as opposing offense have only scored 5 times in 17 attempts with four of those being touchdowns.

So yeah, everything's kinda awesome right now. And App's getting their Halloween on with their jersey choice.

Uniform Combination for Game 8!! #BeatTroy #RQ2K15 #HalloweenAtTheRock pic.twitter.com/RZatZx2ob8

— App State Equipment (@appstequipment) October 29, 2015

For Troy To Win

Troy has to hope App State comes into the game thinking nothing of their opponents from Alabama. Which with the way this team has played, there is a chance they do just that. The Trojans need to take advantage of a team who is hopefully overlooking them. Putting points on the board early will be critical, and they need a career performance from the quarterback position.

This isn't happening.

For App State To Win

App State has to keep their emotions in check between last week's big win and next Thursday's first-place showdown with Arkansas State, who by the way haven't beaten anyone. Satterfield needs to keep the team focused and respectful of the Trojans' ability and basically do the same thing they've done all season with the exception of the second quarter at Clemson.

I expect App State to win, but 54 weeks ago I saw this team lose at home to Liberty, so the pessimist inside isn't dead yet. The game still needs to be won.

Predictions

Jacob: Can we just make it entertaining? No? Okay. 34-10 App State wins.

Thomas: Happy Halloween everyone!