2013 Record: 4-8

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 5.0*

2014 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: 'Under'

Last season the Mountaineers played in the Southern Conference (1-AA) and this year will be their first official season playing with the big boys. Last year the Mountaineers' 4-8 record was their worse record in over 10 years. And if you think about it that is pretty amazing.

The main focus of their success is always offense and putting up points in a hurry. But last year they struggled to score on the road and twice they couldn't even top a touchdown away from home. Starting quarterbackKameron Bryant should have a better season knowing that he is the guycoming out of spring practice. But it is important that he owns the huddle and makes sure he is a leader on the sideline. The defense will have to make some stops in this conference because the Sun Belt features a lot more diverse offenses than what the Mountaineers are used to facing.

The Mountaineers have a brutal first four games. Theyplay three out of four games on the road and open up at Michigan. Their homecoming game October 11 against Liberty could be a blessing because Appalachian State might be 1-4 and looking for a much-needed "W". The end of their schedule is not kind either, closing out with two out of three road games. Welcome to big boy conference football.

I think that five wins is a bit too high but if Bryant stays calm and their defense plays well this team could be a Cinderella in the Sun Belt. November will be their make or break month and that month will determine if they win over five games or under five games. No matter what I'm thrilled to see Appalachian State finally play in Division (1-A).

2014 Appalachian State Mountaineers Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME (ET) RESULTS

Sat, Aug 30 Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Sat, Sep 06 CAMPBELL (Hall of Fame Day) BOONE, N.C. 6:00 PM

Sat, Sep 20 Southern Miss at Hattiesburg, Miss. TBA

Thu, Sep 25 Georgia Southern * at Statesboro Ga. 7:30 PM

Sat, Oct 04 SOUTH ALABAMA * BOONE, N.C. TBA

Sat, Oct 11 LIBERTY (Homecoming) BOONE, N.C. TBA

Sat, Oct 18 Troy * at Troy, Ala. TBA

Sat, Nov 01 GEORGIA STATE (Family Weekend) * BOONE, N.C. TBA

Sat, Nov 08 LOUISIANA-MONROE (Black Saturday) * BOONE, N.C. TBA

Sat, Nov 15 Arkansas State * at Jonesboro, Ark. TBA

Sat, Nov 22 Louisiana-Lafayette * at Lafayette, La. TBA

Sat, Nov 29 IDAHO * BOONE, N.C. TBA

All Times EST

*Season Win Total Odds from Raphael Esparza. Esparza was a Las Vegas sportsbook manager for 13 years at some of the largest books on The Strip. He is a proven oddsmaker and this is his projected total.

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