App State vs Georgia State: Preview & Prediction

Game Time: 2:30 PM, Saturday November 17th 2018

Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone NC

Spread: -28.5 App State

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Appalachian IMG Sports Network

Previous Meeting: App State won 31-10

Series History: App State is 4-0 all time vs Georgia State

Outlook

App State looked like its former self a week ago in a 38-7 win at Texas State as Zac Thomas returned to start and tore through the suspect Bobcat defense going 25/36 for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The App State defense continued its strong play as the unit forced three Bobcat turnovers and held the Texas State running game to just 86 yards. App also out gained Texas State 468-218 in total yards thus being a huge difference maker.

Texas State moved the ball at times and had plenty of chances to score but a bad kicking game and a stout App State defensive front made life hard for Tyler Vitt and company. Linebackers Jordan Fehr and Anthony Flory each had nine total tackles as they have been the constant leaders of the group in 2018.

Georgia State comes into this matchup in a free fall as the Panthers have dropped their last 5 games, all coming in Sun Belt play. There will be no lack of fuel to this fire though as Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott is a former letterman and coach on the App State staff. Elliott spent 13 seasons on the Appalachian State coaching staff under then head coach Jerry Moore, helping lead the Mountaineers to three NCAA FCS titles between 2005 and 2007.

The Panthers played without starting QB Dan Ellington a week ago as he has been in concussion protocol. Aaron Winchester got the start in the Panthers' 36-22 loss to Louisiana and went 10/21 passing for 121 yards with a score and a interception.

The running game was big for the Panthers a week ago as the team has seemed to find some life out of a unit that has had its fair share of struggles the past few seasons. They racked up 252 yards on the ground with Tra Barnett leading the way with 82 yards on 15 carries

Prediction

Appalachian is 7-2 against the spread in 2018 and 28.5 is a lot of points but the Panther defense gives up nearly 37 points per game. At this time there has been no word on if Ellington will make his return to the lineup for Georgia State so all signs point to a game time decision.

Look for the App State offense to score and have a game similar to last week's game at Texas State and stride one step closer to the Conference title game December 1st.

App State 42-14