Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Appalachian State Mountaineers 2021 Boca Raton Bowl Pick

It’s the second day of bowl games, and it starts with of our Western Kentucky vs Appalachian State prediction for the 2021 RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) finished first in the C-USA East with a 7-1 mark. The UTSA Roadrunners, who topped the West, beat the Hilltoppers in the conference title game 49-41. Prior to that loss, WKU had won seven games in a row. This season, the Appalachian State Mountaineers (10-3) were 7-1 in the Sun Belt Conference, finishing first in the East. They met #16 Luisiana in the championship game, losing to the Ragin’ Cajuns 16-24. Before losing the title contest, the Mountaineers had won six straight games.

Appalachian State is favored. You can find them at -2.5 for -115. You can get the Hilltoppers, who are a slight underdog, at +3.0 (-110). The best over is 66 (-115) while the best under is 67 (-115).

The Boca Raton Bowl will be played at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, FL. The game, which will be broadcast on ESPN, will kick off at 11:00 am ET on Saturday, December 18, 2021. It is the first of six bowls being played on Saturday. The weather at game time will be mostly cloudy with the temperature at 76 degrees. Winds will be from the ESE at 9 mph with gusts up to 14 mph.

Hilltoppers vs Mountaineers Pick - Stats

The Hilltoppers are out scoring the Mountaineers 43.1-to-34.2 PPG. Their 528.4 offensive yards per game include 434.6 YPG in the air. On the other hand, ASU is averaging 100 fewer offensive yards per game and two hundred fewer when passing. However, their 187.7 rushing YPG are double that of the Hilltoppers.

Defensively, the Mountaineers are allowing 19.3 PPG, while the Hilltoppers are giving up 28.7. Appalachian State is allowing opponents fewer passing (206.6-261.2), rushing (119.2-161.3), and total (325.8-422.5). Overall, the specific defensive stats between these two clubs are close. WKU is better on PD (56-47) and INTs (19-15). On the other hand, ASU is better on sacks (37-35) and pick sixes (4-2). Force fumbles and fumbles recovered favor Western Kentucky 14-9 and 5-6 respectively.

Western Kentucky vs Appalachian State Prediction - Key Players

The Hilltoppers have a not-so-secret weapon in quarterback is Bailey Zappe. Zappe has thrown for 5,545 yards and 56 TDs. He’s thrown just 11 picks and been sackede 15 times. His completion rate is 69.2%. Zappe has four quality receivers, including two, Jerreth Sterns (137 REC, 1,716 YDs, 12.5 AVG) and Mitchell Tinsley (80 REC, 1,299 YDs, 16.2 AVG), who have double-digit TD receptions. Sterns has 14 and Tinsley 12 scoring catches. The rush attack is three deep. On defense, two premium players to watch are DB Antwon Kincade (90 TCKLs, 4 PD, 1 INT, 2 FR) and DE DeAngelo Malone (88 TCKLs, 8 SCKs, 3 PD, 4 FF).

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are led by two running back, Nate Noel (196 ATT, 1.078 YDs, 5.5 AVG, 4 TDs) and Camerun Peoples (153 ATT, 825 YDs, 5.4 AVG, 14 TDs). QB Chase Brice, who’s completing 61.9 percent of his passes, has hot for 23 TDs while tossing 10 INTs and being sacked 14 times. Three receivers have 51 or more catches and six or more touchdown receptions. Corey Xavier Sutton leads the group with 61 catches for 904 yards and seven TDs.

Our Western Kentucky vs Appalachian State Prediction

Although the Mountaineers are more stingy on defense, the Hilltoppers are still solid on that side of the ball. On offense, Zappe can be unstoppable, while ASU’s rush attack is hard to stop. Our Western Kentucky vs Appalachian State prediction likes the underdog Hilltoppers at +3.0. We think there will be a lot of points scored in this one. Take the over at 66.0.

Remember, Sports Betting Smarts is picking all 41 college football bowls of 2021-22.

2021 Boca Raton Bowl - Western Kentucky vs Appalachian State Summary

Spread - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at +3.0 (-110)

Over/Under - Over 66.0 (-115)