Week 9 of the 2025 College Football season brings an intriguing Sun Belt Conference game as the Appalachian State Mountaineers travel to S.B. Ballard Stadium to take on the Old Dominion Monarchs. Both teams hold identical records of 4-3, with Appalachian State showing a balanced home and road performance, while Old Dominion has displayed a perfect 3-0 record at home. This game will be aired on ESNU, kicking off at 12:00 PM in Norfolk, VA.
The Mountaineers come into the game after a high-scoring 45-37 loss to Coastal Carolina in Week 8. Despite their recent setback, Appalachian State has shown offensive firepower, highlighted by a significant 41-20 win against Georgia State in Week 7. They will aim to leverage their offensive strengths to overcome the Monarchs on their home turf.
Old Dominion, playing on their home field, will look to bounce back from a challenging 63-27 defeat against James Madison. Despite the recent loss, the Monarchs have been dominant at home this season, including a commanding 47-7 victory over Coastal Carolina in Week 6. With their home field advantage and strong performances at S.B. Ballard Stadium, Old Dominion hopes to secure another win to improve their conference standings.
Old Dominion vs Appalachian State At a Glance
- Game Venue: S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, VA
- Game Date and Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 12:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: ESNU
- Appalachian State Record: 4-3 overall, 2-2 on the road
- Old Dominion Home Record: 3-0 this season
- Game Odds: Old Dominion favored with a -13.5 spread
The Old Dominion Monarchs Seek Redemption at Home Against Appalachian State
Offensive Analysis
Old Dominion’s offensive production has seen a shift from last season, with their current points for ranking at 29th, up from 62nd. Their passing yards sit at 53rd in the nation, a significant improvement over the previous year’s 105th ranking. Meanwhile, the Monarchs’ rushing attack has also seen growth, climbing to 17th from 22nd.
Colton Joseph has been pivotal in the Monarchs’ offensive game plan, ranking 37th in passing yards nationally. His 16 passing touchdowns rank 14th, showing his effectiveness in the red zone. The ground game, led by Trequan Jones, has contributed 481 rushing yards, showcasing a balanced offensive strategy.
Defensive Overview
Defensively, Old Dominion’s ranking of 100th in points against highlights an area of concern. However, their pass rush has been effective, securing 17 sacks which ranks 12th nationally. Additionally, their secondary has been opportunistic with 5 interceptions, placing them 6th in the nation.
The Monarchs have been effective at forcing turnovers, leading the nation in fumbles recovered with 8. Despite these successes, they will need to tighten up their overall defensive performance to support their high-powered offense. The absence of key players like Jason Henderson due to injury may affect their defensive depth.
Recent Game Performances
Old Dominion’s recent games have shown a mixed bag of results. They suffered a heavy defeat against James Madison with a score of 63-27. Despite this, they managed a decisive 47-7 victory over Coastal Carolina, illustrating their potential when firing on all cylinders.
The Monarchs have been tested against strong competition, including a 48-24 loss to Marshall. Their ability to bounce back with a win against Liberty, 21-7, demonstrates resilience. The team will look to build on these experiences as they prepare for Appalachian State.
Betting Trends
- O/U – After Loss: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – As Underdog: Last 22 Games (2022–2025) → 16-6 (72.7%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 6 Games (2024–2025) → 5-1 (83.3%)
Appalachian State Mountaineers Gear Up for Upcoming Challenge
Offensive Overview
The Appalachian State Mountaineers have put up 195 points this season, ranking them 50th overall. Their aerial attack has been impressive, with 1,945 passing yards, placing them 23rd in the nation. However, the rushing game has struggled, accumulating 1,014 yards and sitting at 75th.
Last season, the Mountaineers scored 293 points, ranking 78th, indicating a drop in offensive productivity this year. The team’s ability to gain first downs has been a strength, with 157 so far, securing a 24th place ranking.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, Appalachian State has allowed 197 points, which places them 108th nationally. Despite this, their pass rush has been effective, with 17 sacks, ranking 12th. Their secondary has contributed significantly with 8 interceptions, ranking 9th, showing their potential to disrupt opposing offenses.
While sacks and interceptions are a strength, fumble recoveries have been less frequent, with only 2, ranking 8th. This defensive inconsistency can be a point of concern moving forward.
Recent Game Performances
The Mountaineers are coming off a high-scoring loss to Coastal Carolina, 45-37, despite leading in first downs and passing yards. In their previous game against Georgia State, they secured a decisive 41-20 victory, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
However, inconsistency has plagued the team, as seen in their 47-14 defeat to Boise State. The Mountaineers will need to address these fluctuations to improve their standing.
Key Player Contributions
Quarterback AJ Swann has been a standout, leading with 943 passing yards and 6 touchdowns. Running back Rashod Dubinion has been crucial on the ground, amassing 705 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
On the receiving end, Jaden Barnes has caught 32 passes for 382 yards and 5 touchdowns, providing a reliable target for Swann. These players will be essential for the Mountaineers’ success in upcoming games.
Appalachian State Betting Trends
- SU – Home Games: Last 28 Games → 23-5 (82.1%)
- SU – After Loss: Last 25 Games → 19-6 (76.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 3 Games → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 3 Games → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 19 Games → 13-6 (68.4%)
Old Dominion vs Appalachian State Prediction: Over 62.5
Both Old Dominion and Appalachian State have shown tendencies to participate in high-scoring games this season. Old Dominion, coming off a high-scoring loss to James Madison, has consistently gone over the total in recent outings. Their offense, ranked 29th in points for with 232 points this season, has the potential to score heavily against Appalachian State’s defense, which is ranked 108th in points against.
Appalachian State, on the other hand, has also been part of games with high point totals. Their offense, ranked 50th with 195 points for, has been effective, particularly in passing, where they rank 23rd. This suggests that they can exploit Old Dominion’s defense, which is ranked 100th in points against.
The previous head-to-head games have leaned toward the under, but this season’s trends indicate a shift towards more offensive output. With both teams having potent offenses and less effective defenses, the conditions seem ripe for a game that exceeds the set total of 62.5 points.
Considering these factors, the prediction for this game is that it will go over the total of 62.5 points. Both teams’ offensive capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities provide a strong basis for expecting a high-scoring affair.
- Old Dominion vs Appalachian State Prediction: Over 62.5
- Old Dominion vs Appalachian State Score: Old Dominion 38 – Appalachian State 35
