The college football season is in jeopardy because of coronavirus, but don't tell that to the gambling world. DraftKings Sportsbook released win totals for all 130 teams on Wednesday, becoming the first shop to market.
Anyone blindly hammering unders due to COVID-19 complications must think again. DraftKings was quick to point that bets are voided if the season is shortened.
We already analyzed the teams that may benefit from a hypothetical shortened season, particularly if non-conference play is cancelled.
But this article will compare our Action Network projected win totals to what DraftKings has posted to find early value.
Odds as of April 2 at 8 a.m. ET and via DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.
2020 College Football Win Totals vs. Projections
Wilson: My Favorite Win Total Bets
UAB Blazers Over/Under 8
The love for the Blazers knows no bounds after a profitable 2018 that had UAB win Conference USA with 20-1 odds. Bill Clark coached against one of the weakest schedules in 2019, and UAB looks to again have the easiest schedule in the nation in 2020.
Considering the Blazers have one of this highest ranks in returning production, another Conference USA title is in certainly in the cards.
UAB not only returns its players, but the head coach has had the same coordinators in place since the program resumed playing in 2017.
Tyler Johnston III returns at quarterback, and there's plenty of depth behind him. In limited action, redshirt sophomore QB Dylan Hopkins was unstoppable on the ground.
UAB returns a defense that was top 25 in havoc, which has been a Clark staple. The Blazers maintain a coaching staff familiar with an experienced roster.
This team has everything you want in a season win total over.
The pick: UAB over 8 wins [Bet now at DraftKings. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
Michigan State Over/Under 6
The Spartans are rebuilding in 2020 with new head coach Mel Tucker and not much returning production.
COVID-19 has limited a new coaching staff and new players from getting familiar with one another in offseason activities. Defensive coordinator Scott Hazelton still lives in Kansas, making it tough to teach a new defense over video conference.
The schedule is very unkind for a first-year coach. The Spartans have non-conference play against BYU, Toledo and Miami. Then of course they have to run the Big Ten gauntlet, playing at Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State in three consecutive weeks.
Per The Action Network Power Ratings, Michigan State is a projected favorite in just three games this season.
The pick: Michigan State under 6 wins [Bet now at DraftKings. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
Colorado State Over/Under 4
This is my favorite win total on the board, as our numbers put Colorado State at 8.1 wins. The Rams are one of the few teams that got a week's worth of practice, giving new coach Steve Addazio plenty of time to connect with players.
Colorado State returns 76% of its offense and saw massive improvements on defense, resulting in a success rate rank of 52nd.
The Rams were bumped by seven points in offseason adjustments. While the Addazio hire could be looked at as step back, consider half of the Mountain West has a new head coach.
Expect a team that had terrible turnover luck in 2019 to regress to the mean, led by an offense that returns almost every single player.
I would bet Colorado State at 4, then again at 4.5 and repeat this process all the way through 6.
The pick: Colorado State over 4 wins [Bet now at DraftKings. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]
