The 2021 Boca Raton Bowl is set for this weekend and will kick off on Saturday, December 18 at 11 a.m. ET. FAU Stadium will house Western Kentucky and Appalachian State in a matchup between dominant offensive teams. All year, the Hilltoppers’ elite passing attack has blown by defenses, but the Mountaineers could slow down Bailey Zappe and company.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Appalachian State as a three-point favorite in the latest Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State odds. The over-under for total points is 67. Before locking in any Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,700 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters the 2021-22 college football bowl season on a 43-29 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on WKU vs. Appalachian State and just locked in its Boca Raton Bowl picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian game picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for WKU vs. Appalachian State:
- Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State spread: Appalachian State -3
- Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State over-under: 67 points
- Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State money line: Appalachian State -150, Western Kentucky +130
- WKY: The Hilltoppers are 5-1 ATS in their previous six games
- APLST: The total has gone under in four of the Mountaineers’ last five games
Featured Game | Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Why Western Kentucky can cover
Western Kentucky was one of college football’s best teams against the spread during the regular season. The Hilltoppers covered in nine of their 13 games and had a winning record ATS at home and on the road. Their dynamic passing attack and knack for forcing turnovers could help them improve to 10-4 ATS on the year.
Western Kentucky’s passing attack is second to none. The Hilltoppers rank first in passing yards (5,545) and passing touchdowns (56). Zappe’s completed 69.2 percent of his passes, and his efficiency has helped his team score 40.4 points per contest. While Appalachian State has a formidable offense, Western Kentucky has forced turnovers consistently. The Hilltoppers have recorded 27 takeaways, and only three teams can top that mark.
Why Appalachian State can cover
Appalachian State has been almost as good as Western Kentucky ATS. The Mountaineers are 8-5 ATS overall and covered four times at home and on the road. They can score with the best of them and generate stops consistently.
Appalachian State averages 34.2 points per game thanks to a well-rounded offense with 25 rushing and passing touchdowns alike. Chase Brice has connected with three different receivers for at least 776 yards and six touchdowns. The Mountaineers’ top two backs, Nate Noel and Camerun Peoples, have combined for 1,903 yards and 18 rushing scores. They can cover if they get going on the ground to supplement their aerial attack. Their elite scoring defense allows less than 20 points per contest and could stifle the one-dimensional Hilltoppers.
How to make Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 59 points. It also says one side of the spread hits in 60 percent of simulations. You can only get the model’s Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian on Saturday? And which side of the spread hits in 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,700 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.
