#24 App State vs. ULM: Preview & Prediction

Game Time: 3:30PM, Saturday October 19th 2019

Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone NC

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Appalachian Sports Network

Spread: -15 App, O/U 66.5

Previous Meeting: ULM won 52-45 in 2017

All Time: App State 3-1

Preview

For the first time in school history the Appalachian State Mountaineers will play a home game as a nationally ranked FBS program when they welcome the ULM Warhawks to Boone on Homecoming Saturday. App State sits at No. 24 in both the AP Top 25 Poll and Coaches Poll, it’s the highest ranking in any poll in App State’s FBS history. It also marks the highest ranking for any Sun Belt team since the league was established as an FBS conference in 2001.

ULM comes into Boone riding a two game Sun Belt winning streak with wins over Texas State and South Alabama. In two Sun Belt games ULM QB Caleb Evans has went 35/58 for 511 yards and 3 touchdowns and just 1 interception. This is a Warhawk offense that can score and rack up yardage as they average 30 points per game and also 462 yards of offense per game. Running back Josh Johnson has some speed and is the leading rusher for ULM with 712 yards and 6 TDs on the year with 106 carries.

App State is coming off its best defensive performance of the year last week against Louisiana and will look to continue the strong play that held one of the nations best rushing attacks in check a week ago.

The App State offense comes in averaging 41 points per game and, given that the ULM defense gives up about 34 points per game, the spot could be right for the offense to get back to its high octane form. Its nearly even in the amount of yards the Warhawks give up through the air and on the ground so the stage could be set for Zac Thomas or Darrynton Evans to have big days on a D unit that gives up 479 yards a game. Rain is in the forecast so we will have to wait and see how this could change some of the gameplan approaches by both teams.

Prediction

Is it possible for App State to be in a let down spot now that they are ranked? Yes. Do I think it happens against ULM? No. Now ULM has been one of the more successful teams over App State since they joined the Sun Belt in 2014 but this defense gives up WAY to many yards for the offensive unit App State has. Look for Evans to have a good day on the ground for the Neers in route to another step towards perfection.

App State 34-14