Exposing the under can be done with all three of these teams in college football. Don’t be surprised when these teams don’t reach the projected win total.
West Virginia, over/under 8
This win total is just too high. The Mountaineers may have an improved defense, but the Big 12 is too difficult of a conference for West Virginia to tally nine wins.
The road schedule doesn’t do the Mountaineers any justice, with West Virginia set to travel to TCU, Oklahoma, Baylor and Kansas State. West Virginia will have to win at least one of those games, in addition to the rest of their contests, to satisfy the over.
Head coach Dana Holgersen is one of the best offensive minds in the country, but he must rebuild an offense that finished No. 12 nationally last year. There’s not too many windows for guaranteed wins, so taking the under is the only choice with the Mountaineers.
Pittsburgh, over/under 6
No team is as mediocre as the Pittsburgh Panthers. That’s why oddsmakers have set this number right in the middle. This isn’t the year for the Panthers to turn in their regular six wins, though.
The Panthers must adjust to another head coach and the offense will be void of a serious playmaker. Head coach Pat Narduzzi is known for his defensive schemes, so the defense shouldn’t be the problem. However, the schedule doesn’t do them too many favors, and this team just doesn’t jump off the paper as a team that will win more games than it loses.
The return isn’t as good with the under, but the Panthers should finish below .500.
Stanford, over/under 9
The Stanford Cardinal have been good in recent years. That might be why this win projection will force the Cardinal to win double-digit games in a Pac-12 that is as good as it’s ever been.
Stanford will be able to host its toughest opponents, but the schedule features teams like USC, Notre Dame, Oregon, UCLA and Arizona.
Sure, the Cardinal may be better, but that schedule is too tough to count on double-digit wins.
