The 25th ranked Miami Hurricanes will take their act on the road this weekend when they face upset minded Appalachian State Saturday at 12PM ET. 73% of Miami vs Appalachian St. predictions are on Miami to cover the spread at -3.5. Miami (2-0 record 2-0 against the spread) dispatched of in-state foe Florida Atlantic 38-10 in their last outing as -24 point home favorites. Appalachian St. (1-1 Rec. 2-0 ATS) pummeled Old Dominion 31-7 after losing to 11th ranked Tennessee in overtime in week 1. Can the little known Boone, North Carolina school once again knock off a big time NCAA program? ESPN2 News handicappers give away their predictions. Miami vs Appalachian St. Odds have Miami -3.5 point favorites on the spread at BOVADA.LV

About Miami: The Hurricanes receive high quality grades on both sides of the ball with a B+ rated offense and B rated defense. The ‘Canes outscored overmatched Florida A&M and F.A.U. by a combined 108-13 score. Savvy junior Quarterback Brad Kayaa (133.8 passer rating) is surrounded by playmakers at the skill positions with running back Mark Walton (8.5 yards per carry 4.40 40-speed) a Heisman Trophy dark horse. The defense looks much improved over last year’s version void of a pass-rush and unable to stop the run. UM’s young linebacking corps looks like a formidable unit allowing less than 1 yard per carry against a pair of below-average running attacks. The defensive line could be a top-10 NCAA group. The kicking game is a concern with Michael Badgley going 1-3 on field goal attempts with both misses under 39 yards. Miami vs Appalachian St. Odds Total is at 52.0 points

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About Appalachian St.: The Mountaineers are an underrated squad that checks in with a B rated offense and B- rated defense. 5’10” 205 Lb. senior running back Marcus Cox (31 career TD’s 4.55 40-speed) is the bellcow to an offense that runs the ball nearly 70% of the time. Cox abused Tennessee’s defensive front for 115 yards on 24 carries and one receiving touchdown. Duel-threat Quarterback Taylor Lamb (119.5 rating) is a winner that knows how to run the offense and protect the football. Lamb isn’t much of a playmaker but he is accurate on short to intermediate throws. The Mountaineers are stingy against the run having allowed only 3.8 yards per carry through the first two games. The pass-defense has posted good numbers with a 96.3 defensive passer rating but a smallish secondary could be vulnerable against Miami’s physical wideouts. Freshman kicker Michael Rubino will be making his 3rd collegiate start in Appalachian State’s biggest game in school history.

ESPN2 News Bottom Line: Miami has look of a team ready for a breakout season with NFL bound QB Brad Kayaa leading a talented group. Appalachian St. has a 76-15 record on their home turf with the matchup vs. Miami being touted as the biggest game in their sports programs history. Speed kills and will kill again here with UM’s faster athletes too much for a pumped up Mountaineers squad to compete with. Applachian’s passing game will struggle to throw downfield and the undersized defense will have trouble containing explosive Miami running back Mark Walton.

College Football Picks Week 3: Miami -3.5 point spread at BOVADA.LV 

Over/Under Pick: Under 52.0

Miami Hurricanes vs Appalachian State Tale-Of-The-Tape

MIA/APP

QB: B+/B-

Offense: B+/B

Defense: B-/C+

Special Teams: B/C

Coaching: B/B

Home-Field: App State +4.5