App State vs. Penn State Total Pick
Will No. 10 Penn State remain strong offensively when they Nittany Lions open the season at home against Appalachian State on Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
157 Appalachian State at 158 Penn State
Saturday, September 1, 2018
3:30PM ET – Beaver Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Penn State is the favorite in this game, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -23.5 points against Appalachian State. The over/under total has been set at 54 points. The public betting for this game currently has 72 percent going on Penn State at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Appalachian State closes 2017 strong
Appalachian State closed out the 2017 season a high note, winning four straight – which included a 34-0 bowl win over Toledo. The Mountaineers finished with a 9-4 record straight up. They were just 6-7 against the spread and 7-6 with the under.
App State had a great balance of offense and defense last year, scoring 435 points while allowing just 263. The Mountaineers have some questions coming into the year after losing starting QB Taylor Lamb, who threw for 2,737 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for another 584 yards. They should still have a strong ground attack behind Jalin Moore, who rushed for 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. They also return Marcus Williams Jr., who rushed for 500 yards.
Penn State posts 11 wins
It was another big season for Penn State in 2017, as the Nittany Lions recorded 11 wins with losses to Michigan State and Ohio State by a combined four points. Penn State was 8-4-1 against the spread and 7-6 with the over in 2017.
The Nittany Lions had a great offense and defense last season. They put up 534 points per game to be one of the top scoring teams in the nation. They also allowed just 214 points, which was the fewest in the Big Ten East. Penn State lost its top player from last year in Saquon Barkley, who did a little bit of everything. However, Trace McSorley is back under center after throwing for 3,570 yards and 28 touchdowns a year ago. He also rushed for just under 500 yards. He will need to find some new targets this year, as he loses three of his top four receivers that combined for 21 touchdown receptions.
College Football Betting Trends
Appalachian State
Appalachian State is 7-2 with the under in its last nine road games and 10-3 with the under in its last 13 games in September.
Penn State
Penn State has hit the over in six of its last eight non-conference games and four of its last five games on grass.
Prediction:
This game should be interesting. Penn State has a lot of new pieces to work in and Appalachian State is working in a new starting QB. I can see both offenses having trouble. I don’t think Penn State will have trouble locking up the Mountaineers and keeping their score low, but I don’t know what to think of the PSU offense. McSorley returns and should be able to air it out, but how much of his performance last year was aided by defenses trying to stop Barkley? I think there will be some ugliness in this game and ultimately lead to a low score.
College Football Prediction: Appalachian State/Penn State Under 54