As Marshall (5–5) travels to Boone to face Appalachian State (4–6) on Saturday, both teams are desperate for a win. The Thundering Herd are a win away from bowl eligibility, while App State needs to win its final two games in order to see bowl season. Before this important game kicks off in the Sun Belt, you can continue reading to get my Marshall vs App State prediction for Saturday’s contest.
Our Marshall vs App State Pick
- Pick: App State +5.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
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Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Marshall Thundering Herd vs Appalachian State Mountaineers
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 2:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
Both of these teams are in the bottom half of the Sun Belt East division standings. But they are both still alive in the hunt to make it to a bowl game. The winner of this game will give themselves a huge boost in the hunt for a bowl bid. Marshall can secure its spot with a win, while App State will need to win this week and next week to get there. As a result, we should see both of these teams hold nothing back on the field today.
Special teams and discipline could play large roles in the outcome of this matchup. Appalachian State averages 68.8 penalty yards per game, among the worst in FBS. Marshall isn’t far off, giving away 63.2 penalty yards per game. Those mistakes often swing close games and the team that is the most disciplined in this contest will give themselves a huge edge in this contest.
App State comes into this game ice cold, having lost four games in a row. They were 4-2 at one point this season and are now one loss away from failing to reach a bowl game. They will try to stop the bleeding in this game at home against a good Marshall squad.
Quarterback Play
Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson is the leader of the Herd’s offense. He has thrown for 1,761 yards and 17 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions this season. He has also rushed for 588 yards and 4 scores. That dual-threat ability makes him a dangerous player for the App State defense to worry about.
For Appalachian State, A.J. Swann has thrown for 1,495 yards with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. While he can move the ball through the air, the team’s run game has been less reliable, and Swann will have to be at his best if his team is going to come away with a win in this game.
Betting Trends
- Marshall is 7–3 against the spread this season.
- Appalachian State is 4–6 against the spread going into this matchup.
- The over has hit in 7 of Marshall’s first 10 games.
- App State is 5-5 in the over/under market entering this weekend’s play.
Marshall vs Appalachian State Model Projection
Score Projection: Marshall 34 – Appalachian State 31
Win Probability: Marshall 65%, Appalachian State 35%
Final Thoughts
I think it’s going to be tough for App State to win this game at home, even if they need a win to keep their bowl hopes alive. But I do think that App State will keep this game within a field goal or so. I’ll take the points with the Mountaineers at home, as their desperation should lead to a closer game than we might have seen otherwise.
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