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The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Appalachian State Mountaineers have had some time off and are no doubt ready to hit the field. Bowl season is underway, and WKU and Appalachian State will compete for postseason bragging rights in the Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday. The Mountaineers will need to watch out since the Hilltoppers have now posted big point totals in their last six contests.
WKU came up short against the UTSA Roadrunners two weeks ago, falling 49-41. A silver lining for WKU was the play of QB Bailey Zappe, who passed for four TDs and 577 yards on 59 attempts. Near the top of the highlight reel was Zappe's 60-yard TD bomb to WR Mitchell Tinsley in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Appalachian State came up short against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns two weeks ago, falling 24-16. No one had a standout game offensively for the Mountaineers, but they got scores from WR Thomas Hennigan and RB Camerun Peoples. Peoples had some trouble finding his footing against the Georgia Southern Eagles three weeks ago, so this was a step in the right direction.
The Hilltoppers are expected to lose this next one by 3. If their 8-4 record against the spread is anything to go by, the prospects look good for bets placed on them.
A couple defensive stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: WKU is 230th worst in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed, with 27 on the season. The Mountaineers have had an even harder time: they are stumbling into the matchup with the 166th most rushing touchdowns allowed in the nation, having given up 16 on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
