Middle Tennessee at APP State 12/15/18 - New Orleans Bowl - CFB Picks & Predictions

The final game of the opening day of the College Football Bowl Season will feature a matchup between the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and Appalachian State Mountaineers in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

Middle Tennessee won eight games during the regular season and finished in first place in the Conference USA East Division. In the conference championship game, the Blue Raiders allowed 21 straight points in the second quarter of a 27-25 loss versus UAB. Brent Stockstill threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns.

Through thirteen games, Middle Tennessee ranks 78th in total offense and is scoring 29.2 points on average. Appalachian State leans heavily on a defense that ranks sixth in the nation in yards allowed and is giving up just 15.7 points per contest. The Appalachian State Mountaineers won 10 games during the regular season and won the Sun Belt Championship. Last time out, the Mountaineers trailed by one point during the third quarter before pulling away for a 30-19 victory versus the ULL Ragin Cajuns in the conference championship game. Zac Thomas rushed for two scores for Appalachian State, who managed 301 yards of total offense on the day.

For the season, Appalachian State ranks 42nd in total offense and in scoring 36.7 points per game. Middle Tennessee counters with a defense that ranks 48th in yards allowed and gives up 25.3 points per contest.