The 2020 WVU football season is off to a great start and the excitement level is high. For many West Virginians, the NFL takes a major backseat to the Mountaineers and when the boys in blue and old gold are rolling, everyone has a spring in their step.
The Mountaineers headed into 2020 with second-year coach Neal Brown. Both Brown and the players are looking to improve upon their 5-7 campaign from a season ago.
Bet on WVU Mountaineers
If you’re a bettor, you probably know that there are five casinos in West Virginia. However, only three can accept sports bets at this time. The three active retail sportsbooks in WV casinos are
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.
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.
Hollywood Sportsbook partnered with daily fantasy sports behemoth DraftKings for its online sportsbook and app.
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 retail sportsbook and online sportsbook are both provided by FanDuel. The retail sportsbook features 21 TVs.
WVU Online Sports Betting
West Virginia had sports betting apps 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.
After what seemed like an eternity, FanDuel Online Sportsbook WV and DraftKings Online Sportsbook WV launched along with their sportsbook apps just in time to participate in the busiest time of the sports betting calendar.
Additionally, the WV Lottery has approved William Hill Sportsbook to operate in the Mountain State but no launch date has been announced. Additional online sites and apps may hit the market in the future and we are tracking potential online launch dates.
Previewing the 2020 WVU Mountaineers
Redemption.
That’s what is on the minds of the West Virginia Mountaineers these days. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed, shortened, and changed the football season, the Mountaineers have to erase the disappointment of the 2019 season as best they can.
At the very least, the first-year jitters from coach Neal Brown should be over now. Brown coached the team through a difficult 5-7 season in 2019 and saw the Mountaineers miss a bowl game for the first time since 2013.
However, things look promising for a rebound at this point. The Mountaineers offense features senior Jarrett Doege at quarterback and sophomore Sam James at wide receiver, and both players should show plenty of improvement and seasoning from 2019. The defense is anchored by the Stills brothers (Dante and Darius) and looks to hold opposing offenses at bay all year long.
What will be key to the season is whether the Mountaineers running game can reassert itself after an almost complete disappearance in 2019. The West Virginia ground game averaged a paltry 73.3 yards per game, which ranked the Mountaineers as the 128th-best team running the ball in Division I play.
It should be better, though. There are not many more backward steps available, so improvement is almost certain. WVU’s schedule is also not terribly onerous, which should translate into a winning record and a bowl berth at the end of the season.
WVU betting odds
Compared to last year’s numbers, WVU seems a bit higher on oddsmakers’ lists in 2020. Nobody expects the team to set the world on fire, exactly, but there’s at least some cause for hope. The following WVU college football betting futures are from FanDuel Sportsbook in Pennsylvania.
West Virginia is +25,000 to win the 2020-21 FBS Championship and +5,000 to win the Big 12 Conference title.
WVU 2020 schedule and where to watch WVU football
| Date | Opponent | Result | Radio TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 12, 2020 | Eastern Kentucky | W: 56-10 | MSN, 100.9 |
| September 26, 2020 | at Oklahoma State | MSN, 100.9 ABC/ESPN |
|
| October 3, 2020 | Baylor | MSN, 100.9 | |
| October 17, 2020 | Kansas | MSN, 100.9 |
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| October 24, 2020 | at Texas Tech | MSN, 100.9 | |
| October 31, 2020 | Kansas State | MSN, 100.9 |
|
| November 7, 2020 | at Texas | MSN, 100.9 |
|
| November 14, 2020 | TCU | MSN, 100.9 |
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| November 28, 2020 | Oklahoma | MSN, 100.9 |
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| December 5, 2020 | Iowa State | MSN, 100.9 | |
| December 12, 2020 | Big 12 Championship | MSN, 100.9 |
WVU football promotional dates
One thing West Virginia does really well is rally behind their Mountaineers. In a typical year, the university and its supporters manage to celebrate many weeks of the season in style.
Unfortunately, the restrictions borne from COVID-19 have put a severe dent in those kinds of activities for the 2020 season. At this time, the only dates highlighted on the schedule are the following:
- September 12, 2020 – Eastern Kentucky – Opening Day
- November 28, 2020 – Oklahoma – Senior Day
Be sure to follow up, as we will update this list when more information becomes available.
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 began September 12. The Mountaineers played Eastern Kentucky in Morgantown, WV.
How long does the WVU football season last?
The 2020 season will feature 10 games and will conclude December 5.
Who is the favorite to win the NCAA football National Championship?
The consensus is that either Clemson or Alabama will win it all this year. The perennial powerhouses are fairly close together as the frontrunners in most futures boards.