Appalachian State is one of those very few teams that make the jump from the FCS into the FBS and do not miss a beat. The Mountaineers have been a trampoline of sorts for up-and-coming coaches. Yet regardless of who is in charge in Boone, N.C., the Mountaineers win eight-plus games and compete for conference championships every year.
The 8.5 season wins total offered by a majority of NC sportsbooks is one that you would think App State would blow out of the water. While the Mountaineers could do that, what keeps it from being a sure thing is that they play incredibly tough schedules every year.
This year, out-of-conference opponents for App State include Power Five teams North Carolina and Texas A&M. The Mountaineers play these types of teams yearly. One day they are going to run the table and force their way into the College Football Playoff conversations just like Cincinnati did last season.
Sun Belt Conference Championship Odds
As can be expected, the top two teams from last season are the top two favorites to win the crown in 2022. Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Appalachian State in the championship game last season. That victory served as a bit of revenge for when the Mountaineers go the best of the same championship matchups in 2018 and 2019.
| TEAM | DraftKings | Caesars Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State | +210 | +250 |
| Louisiana-Lafayette | +350 | +250 |
| Marshall | +550 | +375 |
| Coastal Carolina | +500 | +550 |
| Troy | +1200 | +1000 |
| Georgia State | +800 | +1400 |
| South Alabama | +2000 | +2200 |
| Arkansas State | +5000 | +2800 |
| Southern Mississippi | +4000 | +3000 |
| Old Dominion | +6000 | +6000 |
| Texas State | +7000 | +6000 |
| Georgia Southern | +6000 | +7500 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | +20000 | +30000 |
Appalachian State Season Wins Totals
| Sportsbook | Season Wins Total |
|---|---|
| DraftKings North Carolina Sportsbook | Over 8.5 (-110) Under 8.5 (-110) |
| Caesars North Carolina Sportsbook | Over 9 (-105) Under 9 (-125) |
Appalachian State 2022 Schedule
Sept. 3: vs. North Carolina
Sept. 10: at Texas A&M
Sept. 17: vs. Troy
Sept. 24: vs. James Madison
Oct. 1: vs. The Citadel
Oct. 8: at Texas State
Oct. 19: vs. Georgia State
Oct. 29: vs. Robert Morris
Nov. 3: at Coastal Carolina
Nov. 12: at Marshall
Nov. 19: vs. Old Dominion
Nov. 26: at Georgia Southern
More wagering opportunities: Third retail sportsbook coming to North Carolina before NFL season
Mountaineers 2022 Outlook
As has become the regular for the Mountaineers, their offense is always fantastic. The expectation is the same this year, especially once quarterback Chase Brice decided to use his Covid year to take one more year of eligibility. While Brice does lose his top three receivers from last year, he brings back four out of five starters, including both tackles on his offensive line. That will be a huge positive, knowing Brice will have plenty of time to throw as he and his new receiving targets get things sorted out.
The offense will need to be great because it may take the defense some time to find its footing as it needs to replace five of its top seven tacklers off of last year’s unit. Yet the Mountaineers program’s identity on defense is stopping the run, and they should continue to do so.
They are one of a few teams with which you almost do not worry too much about what is lost. The program routinely replaces its star players with another. You may not know who all 11 starters will be, but it won’t take long for you to figure it out.
Be ready for bonuses: Check out the BetMGM North Carolina promo code when online sports betting launches for sign-up offers and bonus bets.
Betting Recommendation
App State hasn’t won less than nine games since 2014. Even with a tough schedule, there is no way the Mountaineers don’t at least hit nine wins again. What I am saying is take the over on the season wins total of 8.5. That number is too low for this team. Take the over at DraftKings (-110) before it gets rightly adjusted.
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee
About the Author
