By: George Ahearn

You know football season has hit its stride when we’re delivered great games like this on a Tuesday night. Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State are a staple Group of 5 programs, and this Tuesday night contest in Boone, North Carolina should deliver fantastic football. 

Coastal Carolina is used to competing for Sun Belt championships, yet this season has not gone according to plan. The Chanticleers have started their season an underwhelming 2-3, losing to UCLA, Georgia State, and Georgia Southern. Congruent with these disappointing performances is the uninspired play of starting quarterback Grayson McCall. 

McCall is a three-time Sun Belt player of the year, winning the award each season he’s owned the starting role. Now a redshirt senior, McCall is putting together his worst season to date, already throwing six interceptions through five games, uncharacteristic of a player who had only thrown eight interceptions in his entire career up to this season.

The offense for Coastal has simply not been as potent as expected, yet a majority of these issues can be attributed to their struggles in the red zone. The Chants are only converting on 75% of their redzone trips, third worst in the Sun Belt (via The Sun News). 

Coastal is 0-2 to open Sun Belt play, and they are watching their dreams of playing for a third Sun Belt title in four seasons disappear right before their eyes. 

For App State, their season is off to a solid start, having won their first conference matchup last week against UL-Monroe, 41-40. They sit at a modest 3-2, dropping their two contests on the road at North Carolina and at Wyoming, both top-30 teams. 

Appalachian State is a team that nobody wants to see on their schedule. Throughout the 21^st century, they have been dominant, regardless of what level of football they are playing. They have become synonymous for big-time upsets, and are a decorated, Group of 5 program. 

However, what is a tad different this season with App State is they are relying on a high-scoring offense to win games. Typically, App State pulls off upsets and has success nearly every season due to their defense. Yet this year, they are allowing over 30 points per game.

This game’s total is currently sitting at 60.5, indicating that we may be in store for a shootout between these two programs tonight.

Grayson McCall is a supreme talent in college football, and I expect tonight to be his coming out party. The Chants desperately need a win in conference play, and that tenacity coupled with an offense that is due to start rolling again, points to Coastal covering this game.

The play: Coastal Carolina +5.5