5 College Football 2016 Win Total Over Bets
By Ty Duffy
College Football is fast approaching. Win totals are out. Here are five teams we predict to surpass their win totals.
Iowa Hawkeyes [Over 8.5] You could say Iowa is destined to fall back to its 7 or 8-win rut. History would support you. But, if we assume Iowa will be decent to good with a returning QB, the schedule lines up well for them. Their scariest non-conference opponent may be an FCS team. Their three biggest games – Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan – are at home. Their toughest road game looks like it will be Penn State. They should get to nine wins. But, should is seldom will when Kirk Ferentz gets involved.
West Virginia Mountaineers [Over 6.5] This is a must-win season for Dana Holgorsen, who returns nine starters on offense. The schedule plays out well logistically. No back-to-back road trips. The farthest they travel is Maryland before mid-October. They get TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma in Morgantown. Both Missouri and BYU have new coaching staffs. This team was good statistically last season. Better efficiency could pay huge dividends.
Kansas State Wildcats [Over 5.5] Never underestimate Bill Snyder. Kansas State got wrecked with injuries at quarterback and in the secondary last year, about the worst thing that can happen in the Big 12. They still came close against Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor. Kansas State is competitive and well coached. They have the rudiments of a solid team. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the rest of the Big 12. A bowl game seems to be a reasonable expectation.
Arkansas Razorbacks [Over 7.5] On paper, Arkansas has been a top 15-20 team the past two seasons, playing heinous schedules. The schedule this year isn’t that bad. They get Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida, and LSU in Fayetteville. The road games are winnable. Their farthest trip is to Auburn. The offense should be productive. The defense should improve with nine starters back. If they are going to make a run at 10 wins and relevance under Bielema, this would be the year. Woo Pig Sooie!
Florida State Seminoles [Over 9.5] Florida State, like every year is loaded. If they can find stable quarterback play, they should be in good shape. They have Ole Miss (N), Louisville (A), Miami (A), Clemson (H), Florida (H). They will be 50/50 or favored in all five games. If they can win three out of the five, they hit the over, barring an inexplicable defeat elsewhere. You would be surprised if they didn’t.