NCAA Football Betting - Mountaineers look to hold off surprising Bulls in Big East
NCAA football betting – West Virginia (+125), South Florida (+200), Rutgers (+500), Pittsburgh (+500)
- West Virginia looks to repeat as champion
- South Florida out to prove 2007 was no fluke
- Rutgers could pull off an upset
The West Virginia Mountaineers rolled through the Big East last season, but they have a lot of big changes to sift through in 2008. Most notably, if you bet on sports, you must be wary of tough competition in Rutgers, Pittsburgh and 2007 Cinderella-story South Florida.
West Virginia is the sportsbook favorite to win the Big East conference with +125 odds, but the offseason loss of coach Rich Rodriguez to Michigan caused concern on campus. However, quarterback Pat White and running back Noel Devine return to an offense ranked 15th in the nation last year (including third in rushing). However, their seventh-ranked defense could be in for early troubles with only four returning starters.
South Florida is next with +200 odds. The Bulls exceeded all expectations in 2007 with a 9-4 record. Ten starters are back on offense, including versatile Matt Grothe at quarterback. Six starters return on defense, including sack machine George Selvie. The Bulls have the experience to compete with the Mountaineers, but they won't sneak up on the opposition anymore.
Rutgers lost its top player, running back Ray Rice, but eight other offensive starters return to campus. Quarterback Mike Teel will air things out more without Rice in the lineup. The Scarlet Knights were 17th in the nation in total defense last season and seven starters return to that unit. With NCAA football odds of +500, the Scarlet Knights could be a steal.
Pittsburgh joins Rutgers with +500 Big East odds, but it will be a tall order even with 17 returning starters. LeSean McCoy is back to improve on his 1,300-plus yard season, but the Panthers have no quarterback, allowing teams to key on McCoy. However, with seven starters returning on a “D” that ranked fifth in the country, Pitt should keep teams in check while the offense gets settled.
The NCAA football odds say West Virginia will win the Big East conference and I agree with that assessment. South Florida will keep it close because of West Virginia's inexperienced defense, but the Mountaineers have, by far, the best offense in the Big East. White and the entire offensive line are back, and Devine should turn out to be better than former Mountaineer Steve Slaton.
Complete list of Big East football betting odds
Cincinnati +800
Connecticut +1000
Louisville +1500
Pittsburgh +500
Rutgers +500
South Florida +200
Syracuse +5000
West Virginia +125
After working on the college football recruiting trail as an assistant, Matt Jeremy employed his knowledge of personnel into handicapping the sport. From stadium nuances to coaching strategies, Jeremy has a sharper perspective on the sport than the average capper. He's got you covered from sideline to sideline. Thoughts or questions?
