The Appalachian State Mountaineers (12-1) and Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (9-4) tangle Saturday in the New Orleans Bowl. Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Superdome is set for 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Appalachian State-UAB odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Appalachian State vs. UAB: Three things you need to know
1. App State is 4-0 straight up all-time in bowl games, including a 45-13 win over Middle Tennessee in last season’s R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
2. The Blazers of UAB are looking to rebound after a 49-6 dismantling at the hands of Florida Atlantic in the Conference USA Championship Game in Boca Raton, Fla. last time out.
3. Mountaineers RB Darrynton Evans, the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, rolled up 1,323 rushing yards with a total of 17 touchdowns. The Blazers rank 13th against the run, allowing just 108.3 rushing yards per game. That will be the key matchup to watch.
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Appalachian State vs. UAB: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 5:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Appalachian State 38, UAB 17
Moneyline (ML)
The moneyline on App State (-770) is just too expensive. There is no way to justify risking nearly eight times the return, and UAB (+500) isn’t a good play. The Blazers aren’t going to be the first team to bounce the Mountaineers in a bowl game.
Against the Spread (ATS)
APPALACHIAN STATE (-16.5, -110) is worth a look. The Mountaineers are 8-1 ATS in the past nine non-conference tilts, 5-1 ATS in the past six against winning teams and 22-8 ATS in the past 30 overall. UAB (+16.5, -110) has posted a 2-5 ATS in the past seven against winning teams, and it’s 1-4 ATS in the past five as a dog.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 48.5 (-125) is the way to go here. The Over has connected in seven of the past eight for the Mountaineers against winning teams, and 6-2 in their past eight non-conference battles. The Over is 8-3 in UAB’s past 11 against Sun Belt teams, and 4-1 in its past five appearances in December,
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