Mountain West wagering preview: Win overalls, conference and national title
Aug 21, 2024, 12:00 PM ET The Mountain West Conference is buzzing with enjoyment ahead of the 2024 season, with Boise State (-130) presently noted as the odds-on favorite to win the title at ESPN BET. As brand-new coaches and standout players emerge, fans can anticipate a season filled with intense competition and interesting matchups.Editor’s Picks
1 Related 7 first-year head coaches will make their launchings with their teams this season, consisting of previous Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis with San Diego State and previous Virginia and BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall at New Mexico.Spencer Danielson, who led Boise State to the Mountain West title in 2023 as an interim head coach, was promoted to the full-time gig last year.After going 9-4 last season, Flying force should change a considerable part of its starting lineup on both offense and defense, including all five offending linemen, and its top two running backs.Sophomore QB Mikey Keene goes back to Fresno State after a 9-4 season, while Tim Skipper was named the Bulldogs’interim head coach in the offseason after Jeff Tedford stepped down due to the fact that of health concerns.UNLV was the darling of the Mountain West last year, ending up 9-5 after a 5-7 season the year before. Barry Odom enters his second year as the Rebels’ head coach, but the group will have to change the production of dual-threat quarterback and MWC Freshman of the Year Jayden Maiava.Here are each group’s regular-season win overalls, conference and national championship chances as we head into the season.Other conferences: ACC, Huge 12, Big 10, SEC, MAC, Sun Belt, Independents, C-USA Odds accurate since publication. For the most up-to-date chances, check out ESPN BET. Mountain West Chances Team Win Total Conf. Champ Playoffs Y/N CFP Champ 9.5(+105 O, -135 U)-130 +400|-650 400-1
7.5(-135 O, +105 U
)+450– |
.– 2000-1 7.5(+135 O, -170 U)+650– |
— 2000-1 6.5(-140 O, +110 U)11-1– |– 2000-1
6.5(EVEN O,
-130 U)
14-1
— |–
2000-1
6.5 (-105 O, -125 U)
15-1
— |–
2000-1
5.5 (EVEN O, -130 U)
22-1
— |–
2000-1
5.5(
+125 O, -160 U)40-1–
|
— 2000-1
5.5(-130 O
, EVEN U)
40-1
— |–
2000-1
4.5(-115 O, -115 U)
40-1– |–
2000-1
2.5 (-110 O, -120 U)
150-1
— |–
2000-1
2.5(+135 O, -165 U)150-1– |– 2000-1 Maldonado’s Choose: Boise State to win Mountain West (-130 )
Boise State feels like a safe pick, however I could not discover a strong sufficient reason to back any other group. The expectation is that the Broncos will develop on their 2023 momentum, closing the routine season with four straight wins including the Mountain West championship game, after starting 2-3.
Boise State has one of the very best running backs in the nation in potential Heisman prospect Ashton Jeanty, who led the FBS in versatile yards per game and ranked fifth in total touchdowns in 2023. The Broncos’ potent ground game was a cornerstone of their offending method, ranking top 10 in the nation in both overall hurrying backyards and hurrying lawns per carry last season.Sophomore quarterback
Maddux Madsen returns as the starter after playing in nine games in 2015 and might see substantial improvement. On defense, essential players Ahmed Hassanein and Andrew Simpson, Both players ranked in the top 20 nationally for tackles for loss last season and added to the Broncos ranking in the top 15 in sacks. Hassanein and Simpson contribute in interrupting opposing offenses and are expected to lead the unit again in 2024. I wanted to make a case for Fresno State.
The Bulldogs return crucial offensive players, including quarterback Mikey Keene and running back Malik Sherrod. Their knowledgeable offensive line and the addition of USC transfer Korey Supervisor on defense reinforce their general team strength. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs completed last season ranked first in the conference in interceptions and leading 5 nationally, however lost their leading safety, cornerback and linebacker. For that reason, I’m selecting to roll with the Broncos.