– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:50 am
2017 Football Preview – Sun Belt – Mountaineers
Looking for 2017 Appalachian State Mountaineers predictions? The Mountaineers had a very successful 2016 season finishing with a 10-3 record and first place in the Sun Belt Conference. They feel like they have the keys back to win the title again this year. Scott Satterfield has built something special at Appalachian State, and they will look to continue that this year.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Appalachian State Mountaineers
- Head Coach: Scott Satterfield
- 2016 Record: 10-3
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +35000
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So will the Mountaineers deliver another championship this year? Or will they take a step back?
2017 Appalachian State Mountaineers Predictions: Team Strengths
Shutdown and Lock-down Defense: The Sun Belt is known for teams that have good offenses, but when they face off against the Appalachian State Mountaineers, those good offenses usually struggle.
This defense was elite last year finishing 9th in scoring defense, and had the 17th best defense overall. There is nothing has shown that will be any different this year.
The strength of the defense starts up front for the Mountaineers. Defensive end Antonious Sims and nose tackle Myquon Stout are back from last years team and are two starts to build around. Both of those guys have enough talent that they could play on Sunday.
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On the back end of the defense they are led by corner back Clifton Duck who should have no issue slowing down the best wide out on the opposing team.
Stability at Quarterback: Taylor Lamb already has 27 wins in his career under center for the Appalachian State Mountaineers, and if all goes to plan, he should be able to add onto that number this year.
Taylor Lamb isn’t a flashy quarterback by any means but he does the intangibles well, and has complete control and respect by the other offensive players. The coaches trust that he will make the right reads and players, and I would expect that to be the case again this year.
The other thing he has done really well is use his legs. He gives the defense something else to think about when he uses his legs to his advantage.
2017 Appalachian State Mountaineers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Third Down Conversions: This team is very solid from top to bottom and there really isn’t many glaring weaknesses for this team, but they do have a few, and if they can correct those, they would be able to even climb even higher.
One of the big issues that the team had last year was converting third down conversions. They only converted 34 percent of those situations last year, and they were really only a couple of third down conversions away from pulling the big upset over Tennessee in the opening week of the season.
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Forcing Fumbles: On the defensive side of the ball the one thing that they really struggled with was forcing, and recovering fumbles.
On the season last year they only forced and recovered one, and that number needs to improve this year.
Appalachian State Mountaineers Prediction: 10-2
The Mountaineers start their season against the Georgia Bulldogs and that will be a tough game, but after that the schedule gets easier. They do play Wake Forest, and I think they can pull the upset in that game.
The conference schedule will be tough, but they have a Senior under center and he will really help this team take the next step up, and turn the corner.
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I think they will have no issues finishing the season with a 10-2 record and once again come out on top of the Sun Belt Standings.
2017 Appalachian State Mountaineers Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 6:15 PM ET @UGA
- 9/9/17 3:30 PM ET SAV
- 9/16/17 7:00 PM ET @TXST
- 9/23/17 TBD WAKE
- 10/7/17 TBD NMSU
- 10/14/17 5:00 PM ET @IDHO
- 10/21/17 TBD CCAR
- 10/28/17 TBD @MASS
- 11/4/17 TBD @ULM
- 11/9/17 TBD GASO
- 11/25/17 TBD @GSU
- 12/2/17 TBD ULL
What do you think about our 2017 Appalachian State Mountaineers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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