New Orleans Bowl Prediction
Is No. 20 Appalachian State giving up too many points when it takes on UAB in tonight’s R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 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 -16.5 points against UAB. The over/under total for both games is listed at 47 points. The public betting currently has 78 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.
Blazers coming off rough showing
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.
Mountaineers rolling
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.
College Football Betting Trends
UAB
The Blazers are 10-2-1 against the spread in their last 13 games following a loss and 4-1 ATS in their last five against Sun Belt Conference opponents.
Appalachian State
The Mountaineers have covered the spread in 17 of their last 25 games as a favorite and in four of their last five against CUSA opponents.
Prediction:
This spread is big, but the Mountaineers have been able to handle themselves well in bowl games lately, beating Toledo 34-0 in 2018 and beating Middle Tennessee 45-13 last year. The Blazers were exposed against FAU in their CUSA title game and I think the Mountaineers are a better team than that. App State has the ability to score on every possessions and I think the Blazers will find themselves getting overwhelmed quickly.
New Orleans Bowl Prediction: Appalachian State -16.5
Related: New Orleans Bowl Total Prediction