Georgia hopes to be in contention for an upper tier bowl game and needs to get off to a fast start. The Bulldogs will be double-digit underdogs in this matchup but Appalachian State is a plucky underdog with a long history of success and challenging bigger-conference opponents.
The Mountaineers used a stingy defense to hit double-digit wins in 2016 and hope to put together another nice year. A win over Georgia would really be a fantastic start, but even staying relatively close would be a good sign of things to come the rest of the way.
Watch this regular season Week 1 matchup live on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at 6:15 p.m. ET at Sanford Stadium.
NCAA Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Appalachian State +14.5
Georgia -14.5
Over/Under 45.5
Odds Analysis
The spread is at an interesting spot, as a two-touchdown margin for Georgia would result in a cover for Appalachian State. That’s a legitimate concern, but more than 63 percent of the early action is still choosing the Bulldogs to cover.
The scoring total is low since both defenses are solid, but it may be too low as 75 percent of the early wagering has gone for the “over” in this matchup. Appalachian State is listed at +447 on the moneyline if it can somehow pull off this road upset. Georgia has gotten 80 percent of the moneyline action, paying out at -600 with the win.
Key Stat
5.9. That’s how many yards per carry Jalin Moore averaged last season for Appalachian State. He carried the ball 237 times for 1,402 yards with 10 touchdowns on the season. He shared the backfield with Marcus Cox, who actually averaged an even more sparkling 6.4 yards per carry, but with Cox gone Moore should get even more work.
If he can put up similar numbers on more carries, Appalachian State will be in good shape offensively. The Georgia defense may be the toughest the Mountaineers face all season, which means Moore will really have to work for his yardage in this one.
A yards-per-carry average of 4.0 or 4.5 in this game would still be respectable and would give Appalachian State enough balance so that Georgia wouldn’t be able to key on one phase.
Player To Watch
Nick Chubb -- Georgia’s senior running back returns with a chip on his shoulder this year. After a breakout freshman campaign, his sophomore season was cut short by injury and although he was healthy last year, he wasn’t as productive or explosive as he was in 2014.
This year he will be looking to prove he still has what it takes to be an elite running back and also to regain the attention of NFL scouts. Chubb has rushed for 3,424 yards and 29 touchdowns during his first three years, despite missing seven games in 2015.
Chubb gained 1,547 of those total yards during his outstanding freshman season. He is rejoined in the backfield by fellow senior Sony Michel and the two combine for a dangerous one-two punch.
Free ATS Pick
Appalachian State may not be as physically talented as Georgia, but this is a very good football team. The Bulldogs are lucky they aren’t on the road or this could be a legitimate upset possibility.
Georgia has some nice talent returning, especially in the backfield, and should eventually be able to wear down the Mountaineers to gain control. The Bulldogs should win this one but it won’t be easy.
College Football Odds: Georgia 27, Appalachian State 17
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