We are officially into the summer season, and we have a good grasp on what roster and depth charts are starting to look like heading into fall camp. With that being said, national reporters are starting to come out with their predictions for the upcoming season. While I’m not much of betting man, I’m going to give a crack at my over/under win total for each team. Please keep in mind that these predictions do not include conference championships or bowl games.
The Good (Bowl Eligible)
Boise State
I think the Broncos are a nine-to-ten win team. That would lead to me setting the over/under at 9.5 wins. That is a number I wouldn’t touch, but I think this has a potential to be a special season for the Broncos if they can get their problems in the secondary sorted out.
Fresno State
The Bulldogs should be a top team in the conference and have a schedule that should result in eight wins if they can stay healthy. I’m setting the over/under at 7.5 wins, and I would feel pretty comfortable taking that.
UNLV
The Rebels are coming off of their best season in ages and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the program. I do think fans need to temper expectations a bit. There are a lot of questions surrounding the quarterback position, and they are relying heavily on transfers in the secondary. I would set the over/under at 6.5 wins and I wouldn’t feel comfortable betting that either way.
Colorado State
The Rams were a win away from being a bowl team last year; I think they get that win this year and narrowly make a bowl. I will set the over/under at 6.5. Another bet I probably wouldn’t touch. The defense on this team scares me, but the offense should be a ton of fun.
Wyoming
The Cowboys are an interesting team. We know the offense is going to look different, but the quarterback play in the spring game has me worried. I feel confident that this team will be average, and that is good enough to make a bowl. I’m setting the over/under at 6.5.
Air Force
I would typically say the Falcons are a lock to go bowling. However, seeing how this team performed without Zac Larrier last season makes me nervous. Hopefully a summer of preparation will have the quarterbacks ready to roll when the season begins. I feel like 6.5 is a good number for the Falcons, and I’m fairly confident this team will find a way to get to seven wins.
The Bad (Narrowly Misses Bowl)
Utah State
What this team has on offense makes me really nervous. I have seen a few over/under predictions of 5.5 for the Aggies and that seems like a fair number. The constant addition of quarterbacks makes me wonder if the coaching staff isn’t very confident in their current situation. I would honestly take the under on 5.5, but I think that is a fair number to set the Aggies at.
Hawaii
Remember, the Rainbow Warriors play 13 regular season games. I like the way they finished last season and I think they will get close to bowl eligibility. I am excited to see what wide receiver Pofele Ashlock does in his sophom*ore season. I’m setting the over/under at 5.5 and I like their chances of getting to six wins.
San Diego State
It is hard to have expectations for this team. New head coach Sean Lewis will improve this offense, but uncertainty at quarterback and some concerns on defense leave me a little worried about this team. I’m going to set the over/under at 5.5 and with all the unknowns, there is no way I am betting on this team.
San Jose State
There is going to be a significant transition with the new coaching regime. Ken Niumatalolo and Brent Brennan are very different coaches. There is going to be a learning curve for this team and I don’t see them making a bowl game. I’m setting the over/under at 4.5.
The Ugly (Bottom of the Pack)
New Mexico
Bronco Mendenhall was a great hire, but he has a significant rebuild on his hands. There are questions at nearly every position. The only hope is that this staff struck gold in the transfer portal. That’s asking a lot. I’m setting the over/under at 3.5, but I wouldn’t bet this with the uncertainty of a new coaching staff.
Nevada
Jeff Choate is going to be a lot of fun to watch in Reno. Few coaches have the fire and passion for the game of football that Choate does. But similar to the Lobos, this team has a ton of holes and lost even more players after spring ball. I’m setting the over/under at 3.5, but I wouldn’t bet this.
That’s it for this edition of “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.” Are you taking the over or the under for your team? Justify your picks in the comments below.
