#354 ASA PLAY ON 8* Texas A&M -18 over Appalachian State, Saturday at 3:30 PM ET - This is a huge letdown spot for App State. They nearly pulled of a huge home win last week vs UNC but lost 63-61. It actually would not have been an upset as App State was favored by 3 in the game so a loss and a non cover. The Mountaineers were actually down by 20 points in that game entering the 4th quarter and scored a ridiculous 40 points in the final 15 minutes vs a Tar Heel defense that is obviously terrible this year. Now they face an A&M defense that is loaded with NFL talent and will be one of the top stop units in the nation this season. Let’s also keep in mind that App State’s opponent last week, UNC, struggled in week 1 vs a Florida A&M team (only up 11 entering the 4th) that barely had enough players to make the trip and considered cancelling the game in Chapel Hill. We did find out that ASU’s defense is nothing to write home about. They obviously allowed 63 points and the Heels rolled up an average of 8 YPP and 6.1 YPC. A&M’s offense is very good. They will put up big numbers vs this defense that is a bit beat up after that excruciating loss. The difference this week is, ASU’s offense will struggle vs a defense that is light year’s better than the one they faced last week. The Aggies will have big advantages in the trenches on both sides of the ball and they are the much deeper team which will be big in a game played in 90+ degree heat. A&M played host to Sam Houston State and pitched a shut out. They will be the more prepared team here as we’re positive they were “semi” getting ready to take on App State prior to last week’s game vs a team they knew they were going to blow out while the Mountaineers spent their entire off-season getting ready for in-state big boy North Carolina. This one smells like a blowout.