NCAA Football Betting Futures – 2011 MWC Season Preview
The Mountain West is becoming more and more relevant.
WAGER AT OUR BEST FOOTBALL SPORTSBOOK JUSTBET FOR ALL THE 2011 CFB SEASON GAMES – PLUS GET NCAAF FUTURE LINES!
Particularly exciting this season: Boise State and TCU, arguably the biggest “What about me?” teams of the last few seasons, will get a chance to stake better claims in the national title debate now that they share a conference.
Then again, Utah and BYU have left, so the MWC could actually be watered down.
Boise State is the odds-on favorite with -350 odds to win the MWC. That’s no surprise considering that Kellen Moore stayed back for his senior year. He’ll vie for a national championship and a Heisman Trophy and is eight victories away from passing Colt McCoy as the winningest FBS quarterback ever. 
We should expect more dominance in the conference from Boise State this season.
A year ago, TCU (+250) would’ve been neck-and-neck alongside Boise State if it played in the MWC. After all, the Horned Frogs went 13-0 and beat mighty Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. However, 2011 could be a rebuilding season. The offense lost quarterback Andy Dalton to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and TCU’s defense, which was tops in the country the last three seasons, returns only four starters.
Could San Diego State (+500) make things interesting this season? There was plenty to like about the Aztecs last year. They won nine games and won their first bowl game in more than 40 years. Also, their four losses were all by five points her fewer. Their top offensive weapons, quarterback Ryan Lindley and tailback Ronnie Hillman, return this season as well.
Some handicappers prefer Air Force (+1200) as the MWC sleeper pick over San Diego State. The Falcons’ rushing attack is positively epic; they were second in the nation with 308.9 yards per game last season. The problem is that their passing game and run defense are non-existent. If they can improve in either of those areas, they can contend. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
There’s a major gap between the top four and the other MWC hopefuls. Colorado State is next with +1500 odds. Even though the Rams were just 3-9 last season, they’re expected to improve dramatically thanks to a cupcake schedule.
Wyoming (+2000) wasn’t very good last season and things may get worse with quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels gone. Maybe there’s nowhere to go but up for New Mexico (+5000)? This team has gone 2-21 under two seasons of Mike Locksley and were possibly the country’s worst team last season. They were either last or second last in the entire FBS in total offense, total defense, run defense and scoring defense. Wow.
The prognosis isn’t pretty for UNLV, either. The Running Rebels are listed at +7500, below even New Mexico. Whereas Colorado State can lean on its nice schedule, UNLV’s is a nightmare. It plays seven of 12 games on the road, it opens the season at Wisconsin (GULP!) and it ends the season at TCU.
THE FREE 2011 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PICK
The more I look over the MWC, the more I fear Boise State’s and TCU’s gripes will go unheard again. San Diego State and Air Force are the top competition but, while they aren’t half bad, they would be cannon fodder in the SEC. The other half of the MWC is a joke.
I’d expect the big boys at the top to steamroll the little guys and for Boise State to cruise to the conference title.
The loss of Dalton from TCU should be the difference the Broncos need.
Pick: Boise State -350
CappersPicks.com brings you the only college football handicapping guide you’ll need. Use the College football previews for the 2011 NCAA football season to help you with your college football handicapping at our top sportsbooks online this season.
2 replies on “Mountain West Conference: NCAA Football Gambling Predictions | Futures”
Hard to argue w/ this pick isn’t it?
I will be breaking down each team in my MWC previews soon, so stay tuned.