Troy at Appalachian State 11/28/20 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Troy Trojans travel on the road to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Troy has suffered back to back tough losses, the most recent an upset by 2-6 Middle Tennesee State to drop the Trojans back to 4-4 on the season; it was actually the second time Troy and Middle Tennesee had played this year with Troy winning the first game. Appalachian State fell on the road to Coastal Carolina 34-23, snapping a five-game win streak and dropping to 6-2 on the season. 

Appalachian State is a solid team anchored by their solid rushing attack that is averaging 254.3 yards per game on the ground, led by the duo of Dietrich Harrington and Camerun Peoples. The duo has combined for 1139 yards, 12 touchdowns are both averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Behind the center is senior quarterback Zac Thomas who can make plays with his legs and his arm, he has added 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns on top of his 1,496 yards through the air and 13 touchdowns.

Thomas has struggled at times with turnovers, tossing 8 interceptions in as many games but is completing 65.3% of his passes. The Mountaineers receiving core can leave a lot to be desired at times but the senior leadership of Thomas Hennigan (27 receptions/407 yards/ 1 TD) and Malik Williams (28 receptions/370 yards/ 2 TDs) have been Thomas favorite targets on the season. 

Troy’s offense is averaging a solid 404.1 yards per game and scoring 28 points per game, however, in back-to-back weeks have totaled just 30 points and lost both of those games. The Troy offense is led by sophomore Gunnar Watson who is completing 68.5% of his passes tossing for 1459 yards and 11 touchdowns to just five interceptions.

The Trojans rushing attack has struggled and is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry but is led by freshman Kaimani Vidal who is leading the team with 393 yards and three touchdowns. Watson has clearly found his favorite target in the passing game this season and it is senior Kaylon Geiger who has reeled in 45 balls for 557 yards but has found the endzone just once.

App State is one of the best defenses in the Sun Belt as well, allowing just 330.3 yards per game and holding teams to 19 points per game, ranking second in scoring defense. Troy is allowing 393.6 yards per game which ranks them 6th in total defense but is holding opposing teams to 24.3 points per game.