Free College Football Picks Today: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs James Madison Dukes 9/24/22

The James Madison University Dukes (2-0, 0-0 Away) kick off Sun Belt Conference play on the road against the Appalachian State University Mountaineers (2-1, 1-0 SBC) at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday. The Mountaineers are seven-point favorites, and the total is 58.5. James Madison is coming off a dominant 63-7 win over Norfolk State at Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium on September 10. Todd Centeio threw for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Percy Agyei-Obese ran 12 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Kris Thornton caught seven passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Appalachian State beat Troy 32-28 at Kidd Brewer Stadium last Saturday. Chase Brice was 22 of 34 for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Camerun Peoples carried 17 times for 84 yards. Christan Horn scored once. He had five receptions for 98 yards.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Dukes are averaging 53.5 points per game so far this season, second in FBS, and they are facing a Mountaineers defense that has surrendered 35.0 PPG (110th). Meanwhile, Appalachian State has scored 36.7 points a game this season, 45th in the nation, and James Madison is allowing 7.0 PPG (7th). The Dukes rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (248.0, 9th), while they are 52nd in passing yards (257.0). The Mountaineers are 89th in passing yards allowed per game (250.3) and 52nd against the run (120.3).Appalachian State is 45th in the nation in passing yards per game (263.3) and 34th in rushing (210.0). James Madison’s defense has proven strong on both fronts, as the Dukes are 15th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (158.0) and No. 1 against the run (10.5).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through two games, Centeio has thrown for nine touchdowns and 226.0 yards per game to lead James Madison in passing. Agyei-Obese leads the team in rushing with an average of 85.0 yards a game over two games. He has two touchdowns on the ground. Thornton is the Dukes’ leading receiver with 128.5 yards a game and five TDs. Brice has nine passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 257.7 yards per game through three games to lead Appalachian State. In two home games this season, he has thrown for eight TDs (1 INT) and an average of 319.5 yards. Peoples has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 87.0 yards a game through three games. He has one touchdown. Horn has been a key target in the Mountaineers’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 56.3 yard per game average through three appearances.