The 2019 WVU football season is just around the corner and the excitement level is high. The Mountaineers are the equivalent to a professional team for most football fans in West Virginia.
After a strong start in, the team fumbled at the end of the season to end with an 8-4 record. In Big 12 Conference matchups, the team walked away with a 6-3 record.
There is a shakeup to the team going into 2019 with new head coach Neal Brown taking the helm and an inexperienced arm at quarterback.
Last year as the season started, sports betting in West Virginia was just beginning. Unfortunately, without online sports betting apps, the market is still not quite where it needs to be. All that may change in time for the season.
Even so, there are still three active sportsbooks accepting bets on college football. And for some fans, a trip across the border into Pennsylvania may be their ticket to getting some skin in the game.
One thing is undeniable. Bettors are anxiously anticipating the opening of the 2019 college football season. Say what you want about West Virginia, but their love for Mountaineer football is never in question.
Betting on WVU Mountaineers
If you are a bettor, you probably know that there are five casinos in West Virginia.
However, only three can accept sports bets at this time. Both Mardi Gras Sportsbook and Wheeling Island Sportsbook remain closed due to a contract issue between the casinos’ owner, Delaware North, and technology provider, Miomni.
These two WV sportsbooks will remain dark until Delaware North and Minomi can resolve the issue, which is now before a court in Delaware.
The three active retail sportsbooks in WV casinos are
Hollywood Sportsbook WV
Hollywood was the first sportsbook to take a bet in West Virginia. It is located at 750 Hollywood Dr, Charles Town, WV. The sportsbook is just off the casino floor near Skybox Sports Bar. The sportsbook features 24 monitors with odds-display and a 50-foot video wall covered with 80-inch TVs to watch the games.
Mountaineer Sportsbook
Mountaineer is located at 1420 Mountaineer Circle, New Cumberland, WV. Sports betting operations is provided by William Hill and features lounge-style seating around a large video wall.
FanDuel Sportsbook at The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier is the only privately-owned casino in the US. The casino and sportsbook is a members-only club which means you need to be a hotel guest or club member to play at the Greenbrier.
It is located at 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV. The sportsbook is provided by FanDuel. The sportsbook features 21 TVs
WVU Sports Betting Online
West Virginia had mobile sports betting for a few months at the beginning of 2019 through the BetLucky app servicing Mardi Gras Sportsbook and the Wheeling Island Sportsbook.
However, when both retail sportsbooks ceased operations, so did online betting.
Given the issues with the previous online sportsbook, the West Virginia Lottery Commission is proceeding with extreme caution to make sure that when an online sportsbook does open, it stays open.
This leaves the Mountain State without an online sports betting option at this time.
The good news is three online sportsbooks have been given the green light to move forward. So, it is only a matter of time before WV has mobile sports betting again.
The three online sportsbooks which have been approved to operate in West Virginia are:
One important note is that only DraftKings has passed the Lottery Commissions required tests to begin operating.
Previewing the 2019 WVU Mountaineers
If the last game of 2018 is any indication, the WVU Mountaineers may have its work cut out for it this year.
The Mountaineers were holding their own through the 4th quarter of the Camping World Bowl with an 18 – 17 lead over Syracuse. Then the Orange went on a 17 point to claim the title, leaving the Mountaineers with a loss to end the season.
The poor showing was facilitated by the fact that quarterback Will Grier was on the bench. Jack Allison, previously with Miami, was taking his first shot at leading the team. It didn’t go well.
Alison threw an interception and was only able to complete five of his final 13 passes.
Fast forward to 2019 and Grier is gone and Allison’s job at starter is not 100% secure. He finds himself competing against Austin Kendall, a transfer from Oklahoma.
In addition to the change at quarterback, the Mountaineers welcome new head coach, Neal Brown.
Pete Fiutak from College Football News sums it up nicely:
“… new head coach Neal Brown is a big-time offensive coach who gets back five regular starters and enough firepower to keep it all going. Replacing [Will] Grier isn’t going to be a lock, but the Mountaineers might have just hit another quarterback home run transfer. Grier worked out well after coming in from Florida, and former Oklahoma Sooner Austin Kendall is another potential star.”
The changes and the team’s end of year performance have them ranked eighth in the 2019 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll:
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Iowa State
- TCU
- Oklahoma State
- Baylor
- Texas Tech
- West Virginia
- Kansas State
- Kansas
WVU betting odds
Updated: July 24, 2019
Heading into the 2019 season, WVU has some work to do. Oddsmakers will be watching to see how the team’s new head coach and quarterback settle in. The following WVU college football betting futures are from FanDuel Sportsbook in Pennsylvania.
West Virginia is +50,000 to win the 2019-20 FBS Championship and +1,800 to win the Big 12 Conference title.
Regular season wins:
- Over 5 -130
- Under 5 +110
WVU 2019 schedule and where to watch WVU football
| Date | Opponent | Radio | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 31, 2019 | James Madison | MSN, 100.9 | AT&T SportsNet |
| Sept. 7, 2019 | at Missouri | MSN, 100.9 | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| Sept. 14, 2019 | NC State | MSN, 100.9 | FS1 |
| Sept. 21, 2019 | at Kansas | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Oct. 5, 2019 | Texas | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Oct. 12, 2019 | Iowa State | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Oct. 19, 2019 | at Oklahoma | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Oct. 31, 2019 | at Baylor | MSN, 100.9 | ESPN |
| Nov. 9, 2019 | Texas Tech | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Nov. 16, 2019 | at Kansas State | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Nov. 23, 2019 | Oklahoma State | MSN, 100.9 | N/A |
| Nov. 29, 2019 | at TCU | MSN, 100.9 | ABC or ESPN |
WVU football promotional dates
One thing West Virginia does really well is rally behind their Mountaineers. WVU recently released a series of promotional dates for the 2019 WVU football home schedule.
| Date | Game | Day | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 31, 2019 | James Madison | Family Day | Family day packages are available for $150. It includes four tickets and a $25 concession voucher. |
| Sept. 14, 2019 | NC State | Gold Rush | Fans are encouraged to wear gold. |
| Oct. 5, 2019 | Texas | Stripe the Stadium | Fans in odd-numbered sections and WVU students seated in the lower level student sections are encouraged to wear blue. All others are encouraged to wear gold. |
| Nov. 9, 2019 | Texas Tech | True Blue and Military Appreciation Day | Family day packages are available for $150. It includes four tickets and a $25 concession voucher. |
| Nov. 23, 2019 | Oklahoma | Senior Day | TBD |
Betting on College Football in WV
Bettors can legally place wagers on college football in West Virginia. Not all states allow betting on college sports, but West Virginia does not have any restrictions.
In any college football matchup, there are some constant influences that tend to favor one team or the other. Seasoned bettors consider these influences when placing their bets.
Home field advantage
Home-field advantage is a thing for a reason.
Playing in a known environment, with the stands packed with supportive fans, friends, and family is an enormous advantage for the home team. This can be especially true in college football because college football fans are some of the most fanatic about the sport and their team.
Maybe this is why eight of the 10 stadiums in the world with a capacity of over 100,000 people are the home stadiums of college football teams.
Weather conditions
The weather can significantly impact how games are played, which plays are run, and which team has the advantage.
One consideration to keep in mind is that weather affects a passing team more than a running team. Rain and snow make running the ball well a key factor, so the better running teams have the poor weather advantage.
Of course, teams used to playing in poor weather will be less adversely affected. Always try to check what the forecast for a game you are considering betting on and be prepared to change your bet if the weather changes.
Temperature makes a difference too and can be important if a conference covers a wide range of latitude.
Teams in cool, northern climates aren’t always prepared for the southern heat and as the mercury rises their endurance falls. And the reverse is true for those teams down south as they head to the colder climates in the north. And of course, for some players, this may be their first time in the snow.
Individual player factors
Sometimes a college football team can be dominated by one or two highly-skilled offensive players. Typically, college football defenses are weaker than professional teams but the offenses can be close to the professional level. It can often be the case where a star offensive player makes or breaks the game.
Rivalries
Rivalries are different than ‘regular’ games. Players, coaches, fans, alumni, and even strangers come to rivalry games with a different mindset than the other games of the season.
A lot more than just a game rides on a rivalry game. Beating your rival can set the tone for the season, salvage a poor season, or ruin a good one.
WVU Betting FAQs
Can I bet on WVU football games?
Yes. West Virginia is one of the few states in which placing a wager on NCAA football is legal.
When does the WVU football season start?
The season begins August 31. The Mountaineers play James Madison in Morgantown, WV.
How long does the WVU football season last?
The season lasts for 14 weeks finishing up on December 7 in Arlington TX.
Who is the favorite to win the NCAA football National Championship?
It depends on who is making the odds. Some sportsbooks favor Alabama over Clemson as the number 1 and number 2 favorites to win respectively. Yet, some books are putting them as even.