New Orleans Bowl Total Pick
One of the most lopsided spreads during bowl season is the New Orleans Bowl, where No. 20 Appalachian State faces UAB. What will it mean for the total in this game on Saturday at 9PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
217 UAB vs. 218 Appalachian State
Saturday, December 21, 2019
9PM ET – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
TV: ESPN
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, App State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Mountaineers are getting odds of -17 points against UAB. The over/under total for both games is listed at 48 points. The public betting currently has 77 percent going on Appalachian State as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Mountaineers win Sun Belt again
Appalachian State is coming off a 45-38 win over UL-Lafayette in the Sun Belt Conference championship game. The Mountaineers have won five straight coming into the bowl game. App State is 12-1 on the season, 9-4 against the spread and 7-6 with the under.
App State has been really solid on both sides of the ball this season. Their defense is allowing just 20.2 points and 335.9 yards per game. Offensively, the Mountaineers are putting up 39.4 points and 435.5 yards per game. Darrynton Evans has rushed for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the offense while Zac Thomas has thrown for 2,576 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 412 yards. Thomas Hennigan is the team’s top receiver with 58 catches for 723 yards and four scores.
Blazers crushed by FAU
UAB had a strong year, but had a three-game win streak ended by FAU in the Conference USA championship game, losing 49-6. The Blazers are 9-4 on the season, 7-6 against the spread and 7-5-1 with the under.
The Blazers have struggled to find offense this season, averaging just 23.6 points and 352.9 yards per game. Defensively, UAB has been a juggernaut. The Blazers are giving up just 20.8 points and 294.1 yards per game. Tyler Johnston III has thrown for 1,952 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead the offense, but also has 14 interceptions. He is questionable for the game with a knee injury. Austin Watkins is the team’s leading receiver with 47 catches for 933 yards and five scores. Spencer Brown is the team’s top rusher with 527 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Kristopher Moll is leading the way with 95 tackles and nine sacks.
College Football Betting Trends
Appalachian State
The Mountaineers have hit the over in seven of their last eight against a winning team and in six of their last eight non-conference games.
UAB
The Blazers are 8-3 with the over in their last 11 against Sun Belt opponents, but 9-4 with the under in their last 13 games against a winning team.
Prediction:
The numbers don’t look great for UAB. The Blazers can’t score consistently and are facing a solid App State defense. While UAB’s defense has been strong most of the year, FAU put up 49 on the Blazers. The Mountaineers have been able to put up at least 45 in three of their last four and moved the ball on the road at South Carolina. I think the Mountaineers should be able to put up a big number on their own and push toward the over. From there, UAB just needs a score or two, which it can probably get. App State has been consistently allowing multiple scores no matter the opponent.
New Orleans Bowl Prediction: Appalachian State/UAB Over 48