2008 West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Odds and Schedule

West Virginia Mountaineers are serious contenders for a BCS bowl game in 2008. West Virginia is coming off a 48-28 college football betting win over Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl but that was after they lost to Pittsburgh in the final game of the regular season that cost them a berth in the National Championship game. New head coach Bill Stewart faces a lot of pressure in his first full year, as many question his ability to coach and recruit. The players wanted him though and it will be up to them to produce.

They return a total of 8 starters on offense including quarterback Patrick White. The question for West Virginia this season will be on defense as they lost seven starters from last year’s squad. Another question mark in college football betting will be how well the offense performs under Stewart. Former head coach Rich Rodriguez who is now at Michigan was a brilliant tactician running the spread offense. Will quarterback Patrick White thrive under Stewart and impact college football betting lines? Last year, West Virginia went 8-5 against the spread in college football odds and 6-7 in over/unders.

The Mountaineers averaged 157.6 passing yards and 293.3 rushing yards per game while allowing opponents 184.3 passing and 110.8 rushing yards per game. West Virginia betting odds to win the 2008-2009 BCS National Championship at Bodog sportsbook have the Mountaineers 15/1 and 1/1 in college football odds to win the Big East Conference. Vegas odds to win the 2009 BCS National Game have West Virginia at 15/1.

2008 West Virginia Offense

Patrick White is a superstar at quarterback when they have him on the field. Unfortunately, White is oftentimes hurt. They can't afford to lose him this season since running back Steve Slaton is gone. The good news for West Virginia is that Noel Devine looks like a future star that can impact the college football odds. The key on offense will be replacing their top two offensive linemen, Keilen Dykes and Johnny Dingle.

2008 West Virginia Defense

Defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel is back and that is great news considering West Virginia allowed only 300 yards and 18 points a game last season according to college football betting stats. The team loses a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball, especially upfront and in the secondary.

2008 West Virginia Prediction

The schedule does have some games that could trip up the Mountaineers in college football betting. Road trips to East Carolina and Colorado early in the season are not automatic wins versus the college football odds. The home game in October against Auburn will be especially tough. They also have to go to Louisville and Pittsburgh late in the season. The Mountaineers schedule will probably make it too tough for West Virginia to make a serious run at a National title this season but they will be exciting to watch.

2008 West Virginia Schedule