Game Analysis

TENNESSEE (-21 ½)  35   Appalachian State  17

I wanted to write a more extensive write up on this game but game time is approaching so I’ll make it quick. I’m all on board with Tennessee being a legit top Top-10 team (I rate them #6) but Appalachian State is no pushover and I’m not sure the Vols have an explosive enough offense to be laying this many points against a Mountaineers team that was 11-2 last season. Perhaps people are looking at App State’s 10-41 loss at Clemson and figure the Mounties can’t hang with the big boys. However, Appalachian State was only outgained by 95 total yards in that game so that score is very misleading. The Mountaineers also return 15 starters, including 9 on defense to a unit that allowed just 19 points per game last season. The offense returns star running back Marcus Cox (1423 yards at 5.9 ypr in ’15) and starting quarterback Taylor Lamb. Tennessee will have to work hard to blow open this game. My ratings favor Tennessee by just 17 ½ points with a total of 51 ½ points so I lean App State and Under.