WV Sports Betting: West Virginia College Football Preview

Written By Chris Imperiale on July 4, 2019 – Last Updated on March 21, 2025

With each passing day of summer, college football betting draws nearer, sparking excitement for both avid fans of the sport and the legal sports betting scene in West Virginia.

Even though the gambling activity might not be at its highest level currently, the football season consistently attracts a significant amount of betting. The NFL and college football attract a diverse range of experienced and occasional bettors to engage with their sportsbook.

As West Virginia sportsbooks prepare for what promises to be another remarkable season, the excitement in the Mountain State remains unparalleled.

As usual, the state’s local college powerhouses are receiving the majority of the spotlight. Many residents enjoy placing bets on the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Marshall Thundering Herd.

After experiencing successful years in 2018, both teams may encounter certain difficulties in the upcoming year.

By the time the new season begins, it is hopeful that WV bettors will have the opportunity to place wagers via betting apps. Since March, the state has been lacking a mobile betting platform.

The West Virginia Lottery has approved three online sportsbooks, which are:

It would be quite remarkable if all three were to launch by the end of August, though the chances of that happening appear slim. The WV betting market would be more than satisfied with the launch of just one of them.

In addition to the online casino and sports betting options in West Virginia, there are three casinos in the state that offer active sportsbooks.

Hollywood Casino Sportsbook
Mountaineer Sportsbook
The Greenbrier hosts the FanDuel Sportsbook on its premises.

Currently, both Wheeling Island Sportsbook and Mardi Gras Casino Sportsbook have not started accepting wagers. However, there is a possibility that this situation might change by the autumn season.

WV Mountaineers

After a highly prosperous 2018 season, where they achieved an 8-4 record and secured a tied third position in the Big 12 Conference, the Mountaineers are ready to embark on a new journey. Despite finishing the previous season ranked 20th in the AP poll, they unfortunately do not find themselves among the top 25 teams as they enter the 2019-20 season.

Although having a generally successful year, WV’s season concluded on a disappointing tone. The Mountaineers suffered defeat in their last three games, which included a loss to Syracuse in the Camping World Bowl.

Before its disappointing finish, WV had achieved a ranking as high as 9th.

The boys from Morgantown will face increased challenges as they enter the season with a fresh coach and quarterback.

During the offseason, Dana Holgorsen, the former coach, departed from West Virginia University to join the Houston team. Simultaneously, the Carolina Panthers picked Will Grier as their quarterback in the NFL draft, choosing him with the 100th overall selection.

Losing a coach and quarterback of Holgorsen and Grier’s caliber would make it incredibly challenging for any program to bounce back.

Despite the circumstances, the show must continue, and West Virginia (WV) is optimistic about having the necessary components for a seamless transition. Under the guidance of Coach Neal Brown, the Mountaineers will be led by Austin Kendall, a transfer from Oklahoma, who will assume the role of the signal-caller this year.

However, the offense may not be the concern for the Mountaineers. With safety Kenny Robinson’s late transfer, the team is left with only four defensive starters returning. This could potentially pose challenges in the high-scoring games often witnessed in the Big 12.

On August 31, WV will commence the year with a home game against James Madison. This particular game might serve as the sole dress rehearsal for the Mountaineers prior to encountering formidable opponents.

Below are several other important games listed on the schedule:

Oct. 5 – Texas

Due to an impressive performance in the previous year, the Longhorns have secured a spot in the preseason top 10 rankings for this season. This upcoming match will serve as an excellent opportunity for WV to assess its position in the conference by competing against one of the top teams.

On October 19th, we will be visiting Oklahoma.

When the Mountaineers face off against Oklahoma in a few weeks, they are expected to be the ultimate underdogs of the season. The Sooners, who have dominated the Big 12 for years, are determined to maintain their dominance with Jalen Hurts, a transfer from Alabama, leading the team as quarterback. If West Virginia manages to secure a win in this match, it will be a remarkable upset.

On November 23rd, the Oklahoma State event took place.

The outcome of the WV’s late-season clash against the Cowboys could significantly impact their overall performance this year. Additionally, the game holds potential bowl implications for both teams.

Marshall Thundering Herd

Another notable West Virginia school to keep tabs on is the Marshall Thundering Herd, who are also aiming to capitalize on their strong performance in 2018.

Marshall concluded the season with a 9-4 record, securing the second spot in the Conference USA East Division. In the conference standings, only Middle Tennessee and UAB were ahead of them.

In contrast to the Mountaineers, Marshall emerged victorious in their bowl game against South Florida in late December. Moreover, the Herd boasts the return of 13 starters from the previous year, which is expected to contribute significantly to their performance.

Quarterback Isaiah Green is the key player returning for another season, having showcased his significance by leading Marshall with over 2,200 yards passing and 15 touchdowns in the previous year. His contributions were instrumental in an offense that averaged more than 27 points per game.

On August 31, the Thundering Herd will commence their year by hosting the VMI Keydets in WV.

Marshall has several important dates on their schedule this year.

On September 6th, the team will be playing against Boise State.

Fans will gain valuable insights into the potential outcome of this year’s season through an initial road test taking place in the second week. If Marshall manages to defeat Boise, a team that was ranked highly in the preseason, on their home turf colored in blue, it is highly likely that the Herd will experience yet another thrilling season.

On October 5th, a game will be held at Middle Tennessee.

If Marshall hadn’t suffered a ten-point defeat against Middle Tennessee last year, they would have reached the Conference USA Championship Game. The upcoming early-October matchup will have a significant impact on the east division standings.