Sun Belt: Appalachian State vs James Madison 9/24/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Appalachian State Mountaineers and James Madison Dukes do battle Saturday in a week 4 Sun Belt conference college football matchup from Kidd Brewer Stadium.

The James Madison Dukes will try to build on a 63-7 win in a rout over Norfolk State last time out. Todd Centelo has thrown for 452 yards and 9 touchdowns on 66% passing while Percy Agyei-Obese has a team-high 179 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Kris Thornton leads JMU’s receiving group with 18 catches for 247 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. On defense, Jalin Walker has a team-high 14 total tackles while James Madison’s defense has 6 sacks as a unit this season.

The Appalachian State Mountaineers will hope to build off of their thrilling 32-28 win over Troy last time out. Chase Brice has thrown for 773 yards, 9 touchdowns and an interception on 62% passing while Camerun Peoples has a team-high 261 rushing yards and Daetrich Harrington and Nate Noel have combined for 255 rushing yards this season. Christan Horn, Dashaun Davis and Kaedin Robinson each have 100+ receiving yards this season for App State’s receiving group. On defense, Nick Ross has a team-high 25 total tackles including 13 solo tackles while Nick Hampton has 3 sacks and Jalen McLeod has a pair of sacks.

James Madison is 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games against a team with a winning record and 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 road games while the under is 4-1 in their last 5 games in September. Appalachian State is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games while the over is 4-1 in their last 5 games in September.

I get why App State’s favored at home, and why a lot of folks would be on them as they got the win over A&M and still had the football gods smiling down on them with the Hail Mary winner over Troy last week. However, this is a tricky matchup against a rested James Madison team that’s looked really good through the first two weeks of the season and that really has nothing to lose with little expected of them in their first go around in the FBS. I’m not saying the Dukes win this one outright, but I think they battle hard and keep this one close. Give me James Madison and the points here.