Georgia Southern has been a covering machine going 8-0 ATS in its last eight lined games. But this line is inflated. These are two long-time Southern Conference rivals each making the transition to the Sun Belt Conference this year.

Georgia Southern is the better team - but not by these many points.

Appalachian State has beaten the Eagles each of the past three seasons. The Mountaineers clobbered the Eagles, 38-14, at home last season. The teams had seven common foes last year and Georgia Southern managed to eke out only one more win than the Mountaineers. The statistics against these common opponents were close to even when comparing the box scores.

Even though this is a new season, Appalachian State knows Georgia Southern and its triple option offense well. The Mountaineers are a decent defensive team holding foes to 24.3 points a game and 328 yards. They've picked off six passes. Appalachian State should have beat Southern Mississippi on the road last week losing by one point. The Mountaineers missed two field goals and also had a field goal and game-tying extra point blocked.

Georgia Southern gives up an average of nearly 70 yards more per game than the Mountaineers.