Appalachian State vs. Western Kentucky 12/18/21 - Boca Raton Bowl Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 12/18/2021 at 4:29 PM ET

On Saturday December 18, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers play the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. Western Kentucky ended the regular season 8-5 and was the winner of the Eastern Division of the Conference USA but was defeated by UTSA 49-41 in the conference Championship. WKU quarterback Bailey Zappe was named the MVP of the Conference USA by league coaches.

Bailey Zappe passed for 5,545 yards with 56 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The leading rusher for Western Kentucky was Noah Whittington with 467 yards and one touchdown, while the leading receiver was Jerreth Sterns with 1,718 yards and 14 touchdown receptions. Mitchell Tinsley had 1,299 yards receiving and 12 touchdown receptions. On defense, Antwon Kincade was the leading tackler with 90 and DeAngelo Malone was the leader in quarterback sacks with 8.0.

Appalachian State ended its regular season 10-3 and was first in the East division of the Sun Belt Conference but was defeated by the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 24-16 in the conference Championship. The loss by Appalachian State to Louisiana snapped a six-game winning streak for the Mountaineers. Appalachian State scored an average of 34.5 points per game and allowed an average of 19.3 points per game.

Chase Brice passed for 3,020 yards with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The leading rusher was Nate Noel with 1,078 yards and four touchdowns, while the leading receiver was Corey Xavier Sutton with 904 yards and seven touchdown receptions. On defense, D’Marco Jackson was the leading tackler with 114 and Nick Hampton was the leader in quarterback sacks with 10.0.

This bowl encounter features two high scoring sides as Western Kentucky was eighth in the nation in scoring with an average of 43.1 points per game and Appalachian State finished 45th in the nation with an average of 34.5 points per game. Western Kentucky quarterback Billy Zappe passed for 5,545 yards and 56 touchdowns. The Hilltoppers have covered the number in five of their last six while Appalachian State has failed to cover the number in five of its last six versus an opponent from the Conference USA. Final Score Prediction, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers win and cover ATS 37-30.

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