BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State continues its march toward the Sun Belt Conference title when it hosts heavy underdog Texas State on Saturday. LINE: Appalachian State -30Appalachian State junior running back Darrynton Evans went over 1,000 yards for the second straight season last week with 131 yards while scoring his 12th and 13 touchdowns of the season. ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE (9-1, 5-1)Thomas (18 touchdowns, five interceptions) improved to 19-3 as a starter after throwing a career-high four TD passes last week. The Mountaineers are the first Sun Belt team to start 9-1 since the conference became an FBS member in 2001. PREDICTION: Appalachian State 42, Texas State 10

ATLANTA – Appalachian State first-year coach Eli Drinkwitz is keeping it real as his team visit Georgia State on Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference East Division showdown. LINE: Appalachian State -16.5"As Jay-Z says ‘real recognizes real,’ and I think the real people out there understand that we have really good football players,'' Drinkwitz said at his weekly press conference. "But the reason why we’re successful is because of the team.” Appalachian State, which earned $900,000 for its trip to South Carolina, controls its own destiny in the Sun Belt with a one-game lead over Georgia Southern and Georgia State in the East. ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE (8-1, 4-1 Sun Belt)Junior quarterback Zac Thomas (14 touchdowns, four interceptions) improved to 18-3 as a starter after passing for a season-low 105 yards against South Carolina. PREDICTION: Appalachian State 38, Georgia State 24