Pirates vs Mountaineers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 2 (9/2): NCAAF

Pirates vs Mountaineers Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 2 (9/2): NCAAF

Credit: photo by Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

 

Time 7:30 p.m. EST
Pirates money line +300
Pirates run line +9.5 (-110)
Mountaineers money line -375
Mountaineers spread -9.5 (-110)
Over / under 56 (-110)

 

Preview

The Appalachian State Mountaineers will host the East Carolina Pirates to open their 2021 season. Appalachian State leads the all-time series 19-12. 

East Carolina

The East Carolina Pirates posted a 3-6 record last season. The Pirates went 4-8 during a full 2019 season, and they'll look to make their first bowl appearance since 2015.

Holton Ahlers returns as the starter at quarterback. He threw for 1921 yards, with 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions in 2020, after tossing for an impressive 3,387 yards in 2019.

After leading the team in rushing as a freshman, Rahjai Harris will start in the backfield for ECU. He ran for 624 rushing yards and four scores, while Keaton Mitchell had a solid first year as well, gaining over 500 yards of offense. Slot receiver Tyler Snead returns after leading the Pirates in receiving for the previous two seasons. He caught 53 balls for 524 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in 2020.

Appalachian State

The Appalachian State Mountaineers went 9-3 last season. They won six of their first seven games en route to finishing second in the Sun Belt Conference and making their third straight bowl appearance.

Chase Brice will make his third stop in the south when he makes his first start for the Mountaineers Thursday. In three seasons, Brice has started sixteen games and thrown for 3,193 passing yards with 19 touchdowns to 19 interceptions. 

Daetrich Harrington led the Mountaineers in rushing with 595 yards and seven touchdowns, before an injury halted his season after just six games. Nate Noel stepped in and ran for 484 yards and three scores during his freshman season. Senior Thomas Hennigan led App. State in receiving with 45 catches for 571 yards and three touchdown.

Prediction

Appalachian State continues to breakthrough in the Sun Belt after their jump to the FBS, while East Carolina has struggled for most of that same time span. Both schools enter with experience behind center, but Appalachian State will enter with the better team. Their more experienced, and arguably more proven. App State won't reward bettors the same way they did in Week 1 of 2007 with a major upset, but they could very well cover this managable margin at home. Take the Appalachian State game spread.

PICK: Appalachian State Mountaineers -9.5 (-110)

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