Jun. 22—There is a little more than nine weeks left until college football — until Hawaii hosts Delaware State, SMU travels to Nevada, New Mexico opens the Bronco Mendenhall era against Montana State — and a potentially compelling season for the Mountain West begins in earnest.
It can’t get here soon enough.
In light of that, I’m picking all 12 Mountain West teams’ win totals against the over/under odds put out by FanDuel Sportsbook.
Here are the picks in a league that features six new head coaches, tons of enticing new faces and some borderline All-American returners:
Boise State
Over/under: 9.5 wins
Analysis: The single most talented roster in the Mountain West? If not, it’s close. The Broncos return the reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in running back Ashton Jeanty, a true defensive standout in Ahmad Hassanein and explosive wide receiver Prince Strachan, with some new pieces like Indiana transfer Cam Camper.
There are some (mild) questions, however. After tearing his MCL and PCL in a 42-14 romp over New Mexico, quarterback Maddux Madsen was sidelined for much of this spring and former five-star recruit and USC transfer Malachi Nelson made considerable noise in his place. Nelson is a blue chip talent who’s still developing; when healthy, Madsen is a proven, reliable quantity. Assuming Boise got enough of last season’s occasionally effective, often bizarre two-quarterback system, who wins out under center will be something to monitor.
Pick: This is a roster that can, and should, compete for the Group of Five spot in the inaugural 12-team playoff. Over
Fresno State
Over/under: 7.5 wins
Analysis: Stepping in for a verifiable Mountain West legend in Jake Haener, quarterback Mikey Keene was more than serviceable last season, completing 283 of 422 passes for 2,976 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mountain-west-football-over-under-035900510.html
Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Publish date : 2024-06-23 03:59:00
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