Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kickoff 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
App State opens at home against Maine in a Gold Out at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The two have met twice, both in the FCS playoffs, and Maine won both, most recently 34-12 in 2011. This is the first meeting since the Mountaineers moved up to FBS.
| Kickoff | 3:30 p.m. ET · 2:30 p.m. CT · 1:30 p.m. MT · 12:30 p.m. PT |
| TV | None. Streaming only. |
| Streaming | ESPN+ (in the ESPN app) |
| Venue | Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, North Carolina |
| Line | App State heavily favored. Many books do not post FBS vs. FCS lines until game day. |
Prediction and Odds
App State is in its second season under Dowell Loggains with 66 newcomers on the roster, including 35 transfers, which is the one reason this could be uneven early. Maine is a middle tier CAA team. Talent and the Boone crowd should settle it by the third quarter.
Our pick: Appalachian State 38, Maine 14.
Why This One Matters
App State goes to East Carolina next week and to NC State on September 26, so the opener is the one chance to sort out a rebuilt roster at home. Maine is 2-0 all time in the series, which is the kind of stat that gets read aloud in the visitors’ locker room.
How to Watch Without Cable
ESPN+ only. Not on cable and not in the live TV bundles. See our streaming guide.
The Bottom Line
Maine at Appalachian State kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on ESPN+. App State is our pick. Result on our live scoreboard.