<p>A Sun Belt Conference power meets up with a CUSA contender when Appalachian State hosts Marshall for a national TV bout Thursday night in Boone, NC. These two programs used to meet every season as Southern Conference rivals but have only recently renewed acquaintances. </p>
<p>The Mountaineers are favored by a touchdown and a hook for this one; which way are we going here with our free <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaaf/free-ncaaf-picks&quot; title="College Football Picks Against the Spread">college football betting pick</a>?</p>
<h2>Marshall-Appalachian State Betting Odds </h2>
<p>The Week 4 <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaaf/odds&quot; title="College Football Oddsboard">college football betting lines</a> opened Appalachian State at around -7, with an over/under of right around 57. Early betting action then added a hook to that spread, but it has since fallen back.</p>
<h2>Marshall-Appalachian State College Football Betting Preview </h2>
<p>The Thundering Herd are 2-1 on this season after getting upset at home by previously winless East Carolina last week 42-38. Marshall, favored by 11 points, led the Pirates 24-14 in the second quarter and 38-21 through three quarters but gave up the last 21 points of the game, the previous seven with 55 seconds to go, to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.</p>
<p>In the waning seconds, the Herd reached the East Carolina 15-yard line but threw an interception at the goal line.</p>
<p>Marshall piled up 647 yards of total offense last week but gave up 561 yards of Pirates offense. The Herd also lost time of possession by a 36:24 split and lost the turnover battle 3-1.</p>
<p>Marshall opened this season with a 49-7 win over Navy, covering easily at -3.5, then beat FCS North Carolina Central 44-10, although it came up short ATS that day at -43.5.</p>
<p>The Herd returned 15 starters this season, seven on offense and eight on defense, from a team that played 7-3 last season. So even though it’s playing its first season under new HC Huff Marshall is expected to contend in the CUSA East this year.</p>
<p>The Mountaineers, meanwhile, are also 2-1 on the season after beating FCS Elon last week 44-10. App State drew first blood with a touchdown midway into the first quarter, led 13-3 at the half, scored the first 14 points of the second half, and later tacked on the final 17 points of the game. But the Mountaineers came up just shy of the money as 35-point favorites.</p>
<p>Appalachian State out-gained the Phoenix 528-291 and won the ground battle 187-66. The Mountaineers probably would have covered the spread but lost one fumble deep in Elon territory and lost another fumble that led directly to a Phoenix touchdown.</p>
<p>App State opened this season with a 33-19 victory over East Carolina, covering at -9, then lost at Miami (Fla.) 25-23 but covered at +7.5. The Mountaineers actually led the Hurricanes 23-22 with five minutes to go but gave up a late field goal and could not respond.</p>
<p>Appalachian State returned 17 starters this season, seven on offense and ten on defense, from a team that played 9-3 last year. So the Mountaineers are the favorites to win the Sun Belt title again this season.</p>
<h2>Marshall-Appalachian State Recent History</h2>
<p>These former Southern Conference rivals met every season from 1977-96 but only once over the next 23 years. Then last year, Marshall, playing as a five-point home dog, beat App State 17-7. The Herd out-rushed the Mountaineers that day 216-96 and won the turnover battle 2-1.</p>
<p>Also, even though both teams scored touchdowns on their opening possessions of the game, it played way under a total of 60.</p>
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<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaaf/matchup/1391506">Marshall at App State 9/23/21 Match-up Stats</a> </span>
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<h2>College Football Betting Trends</h2>
<ul>
<li>Marshall is 10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS over its last 16 road games.</li>
<li>Appalachian State is 33-5 SU but only 18-19-1 ATS over its last 38 home games.</li>
<li>Over the last five seasons, Appalachian State is 6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS vs. CUSA members.</li>
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<h2>Totals Report</h2>
<p>Overs are 3-0 in Herd games this season, which are averaging 63 total points.</p>
<p>Under are 2-1 in Mountaineers games this season, which are averaging 51 points.</p>