This season, the West Virginia University football team was anticipated to excel, as per college football experts’ predictions.
Presently, the gambling operators in West Virginia may be wishing that the team is not truly as excellent as anticipated.
Since the introduction of sportsbooks in states such as New Jersey, Mississippi, and notably West Virginia, reports have been circulating about the prevalence of regional bias. Essentially, individuals are more frequently placing bets on teams based on sentimental attachments rather than their usual approach.
This could potentially impact the profitability of WV sportsbooks.
Betting the other side works until it doesn’t
At times, the faithful fans prove themselves correct. Irrespective of West Virginia football’s anticipated performance this season, numerous novice bettors were bound to place their bets on them.
The undeniable fact is that the main university of a state will always be recognized by its residents. With the recent legalization of sports betting, there will inevitably be increased interest in games featuring:
- WVU (and Marshall)
- Ole Miss
- Mississippi State
- University of Delaware
Regrettably for the sportsbooks in West Virginia, the WVU Mountaineers are not merely competent; they are among the elite teams in the country. At the time of writing, the team remains undefeated and occupies the top position in the Big 12 conference.
So, what would a WVU championship mean for sportsbooks?
At the start of the college football season, West Virginia’s futures line was typically established by oddsmakers at +8000, indicating that the books estimated an 80 to 1 probability for WVU to win the title.
Following that, the Mountaineers have achieved a consecutive streak of five victories. Notably, they triumphed over ranked Texas Tech in an away game. Remarkably, the team has managed to score a minimum of 35 points in each match.
The odds of winning a championship have significantly decreased, with Las Vegas oddsmakers setting them as low as 25 to 1.
The initial wager placed on WV to win the title had odds of +6000. Although we are unaware of the current odds at the state’s two sportsbooks, it is highly probable that they have significantly decreased.
There is still a slim chance for WVU to win all their remaining games, considering they have tough matchups against top-ten teams Texas and Oklahoma. Moreover, to clinch a national title, they would need to secure two victories in the College Football Playoffs, potentially including a matchup against defending champion Alabama.
On the other hand, the sportsbooks at Hollywood Casino and The Greenbrier might find themselves facing significant liabilities if they were obligated to pay out on a WVU championship. Consequently, they may secretly hope for the Mountaineers to experience a loss at some stage this season, including their upcoming game against Iowa State.
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