College Football Gambling Predictions: MWC
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NCAA football betting is oh so close – close enough that we’ve made up our minds about who we think will win most of the major conferences. It’s thus time to examine conferences like the Mountain West Conference, which gets far less fanfare.
Let’s pick a winner.
The first team bettors will toss into the mix is, naturally, Utah. The Utes had a banner 2008, going undefeated. After they thumped Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, they had many bettors believing they should’ve played in the BCS Championship game. There’s no doubt that Utah enters the season as the top non-big-six program in the NCAA. However, it’s a dangerous team to bet on this season, as it lost so many key players that it may as well be a different team altogether now.
Utah soldiers on without standout quarterback Brian Johnson and wideouts Freddie Brown, Brent Casteel and Bradon Godfrey. Even with Matt Asiata expected to excel as a bullish runner, this team won’t score like it did last season. However, most of the key starters return on “D,” so many online betting sharps will still place their MWC hopes on Utah and hope the Utes win by keeping opponents off the board.
The big riser this season should be TCU. The Horned Frogs made a name for themselves with stellar defense last year, ranking first in the nation, though that rank obviously reflects their easy schedule. However, they kind of, sort of proved their legitimacy by allowing “only” 35 points to Oklahoma last season. Interestingly enough, it’s their offense that could be the key to their success this season. They average 220 yards rushing per game and return eight starters, including underrated wideout Jimmy Young, whereas only four guys are back on defense. Thankfully, one of those defenders is powerhouse defensive end Jerry Hughes, who had 15 sacks last season. The Horned Frogs did almost beat Utah last season and will push them hard in 2009.
Hanging around in the same tier as the top two rivals is BYU. The Cougars are fairly loaded at the offensive skill positions by MWC standards; Max Hall is a solid pivot and Harvey Unga returns to the backfield after a 1,100-plus yard, 42,catch, 15-touchdown season. However, some major departures could gouge BYU’s hopes for the MWC title, as four fifths of its starting O-line from last season is gone and most of the secondary departed too. The Cougars may allow too many points to top Utah and TCU.
Air Force and Colorado state round out the list of teams that have a chance in the MWC, though some sports picks experts would argue it’s really just s three-team race. Air Force can’t compete unless its anemic passing attack improves. Colorado State has a chance to control its own destiny, as it opens the season against the MWC’s “big three,” but it couldn’t beat any of them last season and betting services don’t project a different result this season.
NCAA football prediction: TCU Horned Frogs
