A one-game slate on Wednesday brings with it our Georgia State vs. App State prediction and full college football betting preview. With a pivotal Sun Belt clash in the middle of the week, it truly feels like fall around the country. The Panthers and Mountaineers each face must-win situations to attempt to compete in an ultra-competitive Sun Belt East Division this season.
Georgia State vs. App State Betting Preview
- Spread
App State (-9.5) - Moneyline
App State (-350); Georgia State (+290) - Over/Under
58.5 points - Game time
7:30 p.m. ET - Location
Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC - Predicted weather at kickoff
37 degrees, clear, 8-10 mph winds - How to watch
FuboTV, ESPN2
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Playing college football DFS is a fun adventure and one that you can take advantage of if you know just how to look. You also want to take any advantage you can find, like one with a $10 bonus on any $1 entry on FanDuel. Secure your lineup, utilizing FanDuel’s values below for Georgia State vs. App State.
- QB Chase Brice, App State ($15,00)
- QB Darren Grainger, Georgia State ($14,500)
- RB Nate Noel, App State ($13,00)
- RB Tucker Gregg, Georgia State ($12,00)
- RB Camerun Peoples, App State ($11,000)*
- RB Jamyest Williams, Georgia State ($10,000)
- RB Ahmani Marshall, App State ($8,000)
- RB Daetrich Harrington, App State ($7,500)
- RB Marcus Carroll, Georgia State ($6,500)
- RB Kanye Roberts, App State ($6,500)
- WR Jamari Thrash, Georgia State ($12,500)
- WR Robert Lewis, Georgia State ($11,500)
- WR Christian Horn, App State ($10,500)
- WR Dashaun Davis, App State ($9,500)
- WR Dalton Stroman, App State ($8,500)
- WR Ja’Cyais Credle, Georgia State ($7,500)
- WR Christian Wells, App State ($7,000)
- WR Kaedin Robinson, App State ($7,000)
- WR Tailique Williams, Georgia State ($7,000)
- WR Tyler Page, App State ($6,500)
- TE Henry Pearson, App State ($9,000)
- TE Kris Byrd, Georgia State ($7,500)
- TE Eli Wilson, App State ($6,500)
- TE Ahmon Green, Georgia State ($6,500)
In a single-game lineup, you must be impeccable with your choices. It’s also important — with the lack of injury reports and proper news in college football — to be absolutely sure of your player choices. Camerun Peoples is listed as questionable, whether firm or not in that regard. With him averaging a healthy 6.4 yards per attempt, he would be your top choice at running back from App State.
However, his absence makes you look to choose either Nate Noel at the top or grab value with Ahmani Marshall, Daetrich Harrington, or Kanye Roberts. In the case of App State, you’d be best advised to stay away from their backfield and leave the cash to the rest of the picks.
Noel hasn’t looked like himself since returning from injury, averaging fewer than three yards per carry in just 11 rushes over the past two weeks. If he breaks out, good for the sport, but better on your wallet as Noel continues to reacclimate to the speed of the game in a limited role. Marshall makes the most sense, as the fifth-year back has had two 100-yard games in Noel’s and Peoples’ absence. He’s a great low-value pickup if you needed one from App State’s backfield.
Both quarterbacks are must-start players in this game, it’s just figuring out which one you want to put as your MVP to earn you 1.5x the points. Chase Brice will certainly attempt more passes in App State’s more wide-open offense but Darren Grainger adds value with his legs, both on designed carries and scrambles.
Grainger is the higher-ceiling prospect in this game that will need everything from him. App State’s defense has been prone to losing contain on the opposing quarterback as well, allowing JMU’s Todd Centeio rush for over 60 yards and a touchdown in their matchup earlier in the year. Put Grainger in your MVP spot and Brice as your QB.
Grabbing wide receivers will require finesse if you do select both quarterbacks. The most targeted receiver draws the highest price tag as Jamari Thrash has double-digit more targets than the next closest receiver in the game. Secure Thrash, Brice, and Grainger, and then grab value plays behind them.
Dashaun Davis doesn’t grab top billing from App State’s receiving corps because he’s been outgained by Christian Horn by nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns. However, the looks have been there, and Davis is converting his targets into receptions at a much higher clip.
Davis is targeted more, per game, than Horn and is converting his targeted passes by 15% more than Horn. The safer bet is Davis in this one.
That leaves you with a few bucks left in your lineup. And you’re going to want to grab Dalton Stroman in this one.
Fresh off his best game (five catches, 104 yards, one TD), Stroman’s value hasn’t rocketed here like he has on the field. Stroman is affordable for the value he brings to the Mountaineers’ offense.
To recap, here is our ideal lineup:
- MVP: Darren Grainger, QB, Georgia State
- Flex: Chase Brice, QB, App State
- Flex: Jamari Thrash, WR, Georgia State
- Flex: Dashaun Davis, WR, App State
- Flex: Dalton Stroman, WR, App State
Prediction for Georgia State vs. App State
Riding a two-game winning streak into Boone, Georgia State is in a better position in the Sun Belt East than App State at this point. Yet, App State is getting nearly 10 points from Vegas. Why?
App State’s offense is prolific. Brice has thrown 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions and has shown an ability to take over games if necessary.
The Mountaineers’ rushing attack has scored 10 touchdowns on the ground and averages well over 5.5 yards per carry. Yet, their defense is giving up well over 30 points per game in their three losses this season, and a near-defeat to Troy saw them allow 28 points.
App State’s offense is good, their defense is a middling unit, so why are they still getting 10 points over Georgia State? Without taking recency bias into account, it’s because Georgia State’s defense has been just as bad as any other unit in the conference.
MORE: Early College Football Picks and Predictions for Week 8
The Panthers have given up a total of 200 points (33.3 per game) and at least 33 points in all but one game this year. However, they stuffed Army’s option attack and was able to relatively stop the Georgia Southern passing attack that just turned JMU’s defense upside down in Week 7.
Even with the defensive woes, Grainger has proven to be as gifted as ever with both his arm and legs this season. He’s schemed rushing attempts to utilize his legs, and that has made the rushing duo of Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams even more dangerous this year.
Together, those three are averaging nearly 5.3 yards per carry and have scored 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Grainger can hit every level of the field and his scrambling ability mitigates App State’s biggest strength on defense: their edge rushers. Panthers upset the Mountaineers in a shootout.
Take the over.
Prediction: Georgia State 41, App State 38