MTSU at Appalachian State New Orleans Bowl Picks and Predictions 12/15/2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The MTSU Blue Raiders head to Mercedes-Benz Superdome to play the Appalachian State Mountaineers on Saturday, December 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Appalachian State as 9 point favorites. The Blue Raiders are 8-5-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 6-7-0. The Mountaineers are 7-4-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 5-6-0.

Valuable MTSU Blue Raiders Betting Trends

The MTSU Blue Raiders are 6-7-0 against the over/under

The MTSU Blue Raiders are 8-5-0 against the spread

Important Appalachian State Mountaineers Betting Trends

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are 5-6-0 against the over/under

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are 7-4-0 against the spread

Key MTSU Blue Raiders Injuries

10/25/18 RB Brad Anderson Undisclosed is out for season

Key Appalachian State Mountaineers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Useful Offensive Statistics

The MTSU Blue Raiders are 48th in the country in points scored with 380. They have run 910 plays this year for 5,051 yards, which ranks them 28th in Division 1 in total offense. The Blue Raiders average 5.6 yards per play, which is 74th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 267 1st downs this season, ranking them 47th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground MTSU has run for 1,742 yards as a unit, which ranks 98th in college football. They've run 463 times, averaging 3.8 yards per rush as a unit. The Blue Raiders have been penalized on offense 62 times for 623 yards so far this year, which has them 102nd in the country in penalties. Brent Stockstill has passed for 2,841 yards this year. He's completed 270 throws while attempting 380 passes for a completion percentage of 71.1%. His quarterback rating this season is 153.3. He averages 8.1 adjusted yards per throw and 7.5 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

MTSU is 68th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 329. They have given up a total of 4,849 yards on D, which is 70th in D-1. The Blue Raiders are 44th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Opponent offenses have completed 231 throws on 406 attempts against the MTSU Blue Raiders defense this season, ranking them 78th and 94th in the nation. The MTSU pass defense has also surrendered a total of 2,770 yards in the air, which is 63rd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 504 attempts for 2,079 yards this season, putting them in 74th place in the country against the run. The Blue Raiders have had 75 penalties for 666 yards on defense this year. That places them 68th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

MTSU is 125th in the country in punt returns with 8. They've totaled 114 punt return yards and average 14.4 yards per return, which is 13th in D-1. They have returned 4 kicks for 75 yards on special teams, which puts them 129th in kick return yardage. The Blue Raiders average 19 yards per kick return and they are 92nd in the nation in all-purpose yards with 5,240. The MTSU Blue Raiders have tried 21 field goals this year and made 16, which is 52nd in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 76%. MTSU Blue Raiders kickers have made 89% of their extra points, going 39 for 44 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,499 yards on 61 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That ranks them 69th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Mountaineers have run for 2,892 yards as a team, which ranks 17th in college football. They've run 506 times, averaging 5.7 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Appalachian State Mountaineers have been penalized on offense 74 times for 697 yards so far this season, which has them 62nd in the country in penalties. They are 23rd in the nation in points scored with 440. They have run 799 plays this season for 5,155 yards, which ranks them 101st in Division 1 in total offense. Appalachian State averages 6.5 yards per play, which is 14th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 242 1st downs this year, placing them 85th overall as an offensive unit. Zac Thomas averages 8.2 yards per pass attempt and 9.1 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 138 passes on 217 attempts for a completion percentage of 63.6%. His quarterback rating this year is 156.5. He has thrown for 1,787 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Appalachian State Mountaineers rush defense has allowed 438 attempts for 1,576 yards this year, putting them in 27th place in D-1 against the run. Appalachian State has committed 66 penalties for 520 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 17th in college football. They are 4th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 188. They have surrendered a total of 3,353 yards on D, which is 6th in the country. The Mountaineers are ranked 4th in yards per play allowed with 4.3. Opposing offenses have completed 185 passes on 334 attempts against the Appalachian State defense this season, placing them 15th and 21st in Division 1. The Appalachian State Mountaineers pass defense has also given up a total of 1,778 yards through the air, which is 3rd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Appalachian State Mountaineers have attempted 16 field goals this season and made 11, which is 83rd in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 73%. Appalachian State kickers have made 98% of their extra points, going 58 for 58 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,196 yards on 52 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That places them 48th in Division 1 in punting average. Appalachian State is ranked 11th in the nation in punt returns with 28. They've accumulated 346 punt return yards and average 12.8 yards per return, which is 21st in college football. They have returned 22 kicks for 642 yards on special teams, ranking 51st in kick return yardage. The Appalachian State Mountaineers average 29 yards per kick return and they are 35th in the country in all-purpose yards with 6,143.

Who will win tonight's Blue Raiders/Mountaineers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Mountaineers -9

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