Sports Betting
Sports Betting OffersNFL BettingCollege Football BettingNBA BettingCollege Basketball BettingSoccer BettingLegal States for Betting SportsLegal Sportsbooks for Betting Sports
Online Casinos
Casino OffersCasino NewsBlackjack strategyPoker strategyVideo PokerRoulette strategySlots strategyClassic SlotsBacarrat strategy
Betting Odds & Lines
NFL OddsCollege Football OddsNBA OddsCollege Basketball OddsNHL OddsSoccer OddsGolf OddsBoxing OddsMMA OddsNASCAR Odds
Picks, Teasers, Parlays
NFL Free Expert PicksNCAAF Free Expert PicksNCAAB Free Expert PicksNBA Free Expert PicksMLB Free Expert Picks
Sportsbooks
BetMGM ReviewFanDuel ReviewBetRivers ReviewFanatics ReviewRecommended SportsbooksLegal Sportsbooks by State
Resources & Guides
How to bet on NFLHow to bet on NCAAFHow to bet on NBAHow to bet on NCAABHow to bet on SoccerHow to bet on Golf
Trending News
Sports Trade RumorsSports Injury ReportsCasino News

Sports Betting

Sports Betting OffersNFL BettingCollege Football BettingNBA BettingCollege Basketball BettingSoccer BettingLegal States for Betting SportsLegal Sportsbooks for Betting Sports

Online Casinos

Casino OffersCasino NewsBlackjack strategyPoker strategyVideo PokerRoulette strategySlots strategyClassic SlotsBacarrat strategy

Betting Odds & Lines

NFL OddsCollege Football OddsNBA OddsCollege Basketball OddsNHL OddsSoccer OddsGolf OddsBoxing OddsMMA OddsNASCAR Odds

Picks, Teasers, Parlays

NFL Free Expert PicksNCAAF Free Expert PicksNCAAB Free Expert PicksNBA Free Expert PicksMLB Free Expert Picks

Sportsbooks

BetMGM ReviewFanDuel ReviewBetRivers ReviewFanatics ReviewRecommended SportsbooksLegal Sportsbooks by State

Resources & Guides

How to bet on NFLHow to bet on NCAAFHow to bet on NBAHow to bet on NCAABHow to bet on SoccerHow to bet on Golf

Trending News

Sports Trade RumorsSports Injury ReportsCasino News
college football

Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State: Boca Raton Bowl betting odds, preview, and pick

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) rolls out of the pocket and looks for a receiver. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire)

Dan Halverson

December 13th, 2021

SHARE

One of the most prolific passers in college football will step onto the national stage on Saturday, Dec. 18 when Bailey Zappe and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Western Kentucky is 8-5 straight-up and 9-4 against the spread this year, while Appalachian State is 10-3 straight-up, and 8-5 against the spread. Both teams are coming off a loss in their respective conference championship games.

Let's dig into this matchup, beginning with the latest betting odds.

Strength vs. Strength

The key to this game will be what happens when the potent Western Kentucky offense faces the powerful Appalachian State defense.

Zappe absolutely aired it out this season. His 5,545 passing yards were 1,000 more than the second highest passer, Will Rogers. His 56 passing touchdowns also led the country, and were 13 more than Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.

BAILEY ZAPPE WAS ON THE MONEY WITH THIS THROW 😭 https://t.co/Ae3Z1X5KHq

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 4, 2021

Offense wasn't the issue in Western Kentucky’s four losses this season. They began the season with three losses in Weeks 2 through 4, but still scored 35, 31, and 31 points in those defeats. Considering they were against Michigan State and Indiana, those performances look far better in hindsight. Even in their conference championship loss to UTSA, Western Kentucky still scored 41 behind 577 yards and four touchdowns from Zappe.

Bailey Zappe drops a dime to Jerreth Sterns for the 50 yard gain. Western Kentucky would score later in the drive with a Kye Robichaux rush. The Toppers converted the 2 point attempt as well. WKU is only down 8 👀.

WESTERN KENTUCKY 34
UTSA 42

https://t.co/lfSqG677aB

— Brendan Moore (@bmoorecfb) December 4, 2021

Western Kentucky will now face a Mountaineers defense that is 17th in the nation in yards allowed per play, and sixth in opposing quarterback completion percentage. It also has a stellar 8.4% sack percentage rate and allowed just 19.3 points per game in 2021.

If Western Kentucky is going to potentially pull off the upset, Zappe will need to have one of his best performances of the year by playing up to his seasonal averages.

Western Kentucky and Appalachian State Betting Trends

  • Western Kentucky is 5-1 ATS in its last six games
  • Western Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in its last five games following an ATS loss
  • The over is 5-0 in Western Kentucky’s last five non-conference games
  • Appalachian State is 1-5 ATS in its last six games vs. Conference USA opponents
  • The over is 4-1 in Appalachian State’s last five games coming off a loss

Get ready for a Zappe attack

When two teams from different conferences meet up in the postseason, I prefer to give added weight to the stronger offense. Defense tends to have an advantage early in the season when offenses aren’t in sync or when they have familiarity with the opposing teams’ players or strategies.

By this point in the season, the offenses, especially Western Kentucky’s, are motoring along at full speed. The Hilltoppers have scored 47.2 points per game over their last five games, and Zappe is clearly in rhythm with receiver Jerreth Sterns.

Appalachian State has a very strong defense, but this is going to be the most unique offense they’ve faced all year. This program has struggled in recent years against opponents from Conference USA, and I don’t expect them to have an answer for one of the nation’s most prolific passers.

Score prediction: Western Kentucky 40, Appalachian State 37

2021 Boca Raton pick: Western Kentucky +3

Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State pick powered by The Quant Edge

Our predictive engine is calling for Appalachian State to win outright.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

College Football

Suggested Articles

Excited fan winning a sports bet.

Same Game Parlay Strategy: Best SGP Betting Strategies

Current Trade Rumors Update for February 17, 2025

Official NFL and College Football Odds for today's games

ADVERTISEMENT

Colorado

Bet $5 Get $250 in Bonus Bets if You Win!

21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call  1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800)-327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Fanatics Sportsbook logo

Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN).

Fanatics Sportsbook logo

Get a Guaranteed Win Every Day For Your First Week

Spin to win for free every day, with Casino Credit, Free Spins, FastCash, merch, and more to be won! Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.

First Bet Offer up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 Plus $25 on the House

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Welcome to YouBet™, your daily destination to read the latest news and stories on sports, sports betting, gambling, wagering, and games of chance.

Bet on Sports

NFL BettingCollege Football BettingNBA BettingCollege Basketball BettingSoccer BettingGolf BettingBoxing BettingMMA BettingNASCAR Betting

How to Bet on Sports

How to bet on NFLHow to bet on NCAAFHow to bet on NBAHow to bet on NCAABHow to bet on SoccerHow to bet on Golf

Online Sports Betting

Sportsbook OffersSports Betting OddsSportsbooks by StateExpert Picks for SportsSportsbook OperatorsOnline Horse Betting Offers

About

Terms & ConditionsPrivacy & SecurityCookie PreferencesWager ResponsiblyDo Not Sell or Share My InfoAbout Us

Copyright © Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Company, All Rights Reserved. This site is solely for entertainment purposes and does not contain any real money wagering. YouBet.com does not promote betting or wagering to users under the relevant legal age in their jurisdiction. Online gambling is not legal in some jurisdictions. Prior to wagering online, it is your responsibility to review local regulations. We encourage responsible gaming and provide resources for individuals who may (or know someone who may) have a gaming addition. Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Company and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees do not take responsibility for your actions.

Content intended for a 21+ audience. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler or find assistance with the National Council on Problem Gambling.