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College football is back for Week 8 and the week kicks off with a Sun Belt battle on Thursday evening. The 2-1 Appalachian State Mountaineers host the 3-2 Arkansas State Red Wolves on ESPN, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. The game will be available for live online stream at WatchESPN.
The Sun Belt flies well below the radar, but for this particular Thursday, this game might be worth a watch. The World Series will be on an off-day, and that leaves your major alternatives as Thursday Night Football featuring the 1-4-1 Philadelphia Eagles hosting the 1-5 New York Giants or the second Presidential debate. I know which of the three I’d rather watch.
Regardless of competing viewing, this should still be a fun matchup. Appalachian State averages 31 points a game and Arkansas State averages 38 points per game. The Mountaineers defense gives up a not so awful 19 points per game, while the Red Wolves are giving up a not so stellar 40 points per game. Expect some fireworks in this one.
The big angle is the Arkansas State quarterback position. They say if you have two starting quarterbacks you have none. Well, the Red Wolves consistently play two quarterbacks each game. Through five games, Logan Bonner has attempted 119 passes and Layne Hatcher has attempted 98. Both are completing their passes at a shade under 64 percent, and they have combined for 21 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
It’s no surprise the betting public is betting over on 66.5 points. There’s not a lot of volume, but 75 percent of bets and 98 percent of handle is on the over. The public thinks Appalachian State will handle this one with relative ease. The point spread was at 11.5 much of the week and 80 percent of handle was on the favored Mountaineers. The spread is up to 13.5 points as of game day morning. 80 percent of moneyline handle is on the favored Mountaineers.
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