| MATCHUP | Georgia Southern Eagles | Appalachian State Mountaineers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 6-6 | 9-5 |
| Spread | -7.5 -112 | +7.5 -108 |
| Moneyline | -298 | +240 |
| Total | Over 58.5 (-118) | Under 58.5 (-102) |
| Where | Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL | |
| When | Monday, December 29, 2025 | |
| Time | 02:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN | |
Appalachian State Mountaineers Preview
Appalachian State has a 5-7 record this season and finished 2-6 in the Sun Belt. They are coming off a 29-30 home loss against Arkansas State. Offensively, Appalachian State averages 25.3 points per game, ranking 84th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 29.8 points per game, which is 103rd. Appalachian State averages 383.8 total yards per game (262 passing and 121.8 rushing), while allowing 414.9 total yards per game (138.9 rushing and 276 passing).
AJ Swann leads Appalachian State with 1,495 passing yards with 58.6% completed passes and 10 touchdowns. Rashod Dubinion leads the team in rushing yards with 868, while Jaden Barnes has a team-high 55 receptions for 608 receiving yards. Defensively, Colton Phares has a team-high 89 total tackles (37 of them solo), while Kevin Abrams-Verwayne leads the team in sacks, with 5, and Colton Phares has a team-high 3 interceptions.
Georgia Southern Eagles Preview
Georgia Southern has a 6-6 record this season and finished 4-4 in the Sun Belt. They are coming off a 24-19 road win against Marshall. Offensively, Georgia Southern averages 27.8 points per game, ranking 66th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 34.2 points per game, which is 129th. Georgia Southern averages 400.6 total yards per game (253.8 passing and 146.8 rushing), while allowing 465.2 total yards per game (220.7 rushing and 244.5 passing).
JC French leads Georgia Southern with 2,758 passing yards with 63.2% completed passes and 19 touchdowns. OJ Arnold leads the team in rushing yards with 880, while Camden Brown has a team-high 63 receptions for 1,049 receiving yards. Defensively, Justin Meyers, Brandon Tyson lead the team with 82 total tackles each (55 and 42 of them solo), while MJ Stroud leads the team in sacks, with 6.5, and Ayden Jackson has a team-high 3 interceptions.
Georgia Southern Eagles @ Appalachian State Mountaineers Betting Trends: Bowl
Why the Appalachian State Mountaineers will win
- Georgia Southern has lost four of its last five games as a favorite at neutral venues.
- The underdog has won each of Georgia Southern’s last three Bowl games.
- Georgia Southern has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games as a favorite in Alabama.
- The underdog has covered the spread in five of Appalachian State’s last six games.
Why the Georgia Southern Eagles will win
- Appalachian State has lost five of its last six games.
- The favorite has won each of Appalachian State’s last five Bowl games.
- Georgia Southern has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games against Appalachian State.
- Appalachian State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games in December.
- Georgia Southern has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
- Appalachian State has lost the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Six of Appalachian State’s last seven games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Georgia Southern’s last six games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
Appalachian State Mountaineers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, JJ Kohl ranks T5th in the league for TD:INT ratio (6.00) this season.
Georgia Southern Eagles Player Prop Facts
- Heading into the bowl games, Camden Brown ranks 1st amongst FBS players for receiving touchdowns (14) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Appalachian State ranks 134th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (276.0).
- Appalachian State ranks 123rd among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (15.3).
- Georgia Southern ranks 134th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (465.2).
- Georgia Southern ranks 134th among FBS teams for 1st downs against this season (303).
Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State Prediction
In this Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State Prediction, Georgia Southern is coming as -7-point favorites. Both teams have almost identical overall records, but App State has been terrible on the road with a 1-4 record as this game takes place in a neutral site. They have also been in terrible form lately, with a 1-5 record in its last 6 games, while on the flip side, Georgia Southern is 3-1 in its last 4 games and 3-1 against the spread. Given both teams’ recent form and Georgia Southern’s better offense, I expect them to get away with a comfortable win today. Take Georgia Southern and lay the -7 points in this one.