West Virginia vs. Baylor Odds & Pick: Can Bears Live Up to Increasing Hype & Big Spreads?
Jerome Miron, USA Today Sports.
- Odds for Baylor vs. West Virginia have taken shape for Thursday night's game (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) after moving in the Bears' favor earlier this week.
- See how our experts are betting this point spread, and if we think the Bears will stay unbeaten into November.
West Virginia at Baylor Odds
- Spread: Baylor -18.5
- Over/Under: 55.5
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
It wasn’t that long ago that Baylor was a serious national player, posting four 10-win seasons in five years behind a historic offense. But that was two coaching regimes and many off-the-field controversies ago.
Now, the Bears are back to contending in the Big 12 behind coach Matt Rhule and quarterback Charlie Brewer. Already 7-0, Baylor could be favored in all its remaining games besides a Nov. 16 home date with Oklahoma and controls its own fate to the College Football Playoff.
Will Baylor keep rolling on Thursday night against a struggling West Virginia? Let’s dive in.
West Virginia at Baylor Odds Movement
The line movement on this point spread has been fairly ordinary, as the Bears have inched up from -17 to -18.5 on 67% of bets and 69% of money.
As for the total, it’s had a bit more of an interesting story, as the movement has come against the popular bet. The over has generated 65% of money and 72% of dollars, but the total has fallen from 57 to 55.5. — Danny Donahue
Collin Wilson: Will This Get Ugly Fast?
Judging by the advanced statistics, this game should be nothing but Baylor. The Bears rank inside the top 30 in both rushing and passing success rate, which should create plenty of scoring opportunities against a West Virginia defense that ranks outside the top 100 in both of those categories.
The only worry with backing the Bears is that they will be under all sorts of pressure since they are sitting in the Big 12 catbird seat after Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas State last weekend. The Bears have a two-game lead over every team in the Big 12 except for the Sooners.
Outside of the added pressure of controlling their own destiny, I don’t see any other outside factors playing a part in this game for the Bears.
Baylor travels to TCU next week, so Matt Rhule’s team won’t be looking ahead.
West Virginia has lost three in a row straight up and against the spread and the numbers are not pretty. The Mountaineers rank 121st in opponent red zone points per attempt, 113th in defensive stuff rate, 116th in havoc allowed and 130th in offensive rushing success rate.
I took Baylor -17 with one of my first wagers of the week and our Action Network Power Ratings make this spread Baylor -18. That being said, I think there’s still enough value to back the Bears at -18.5, as Baylor should be given every opportunity to cover this number. — Collin Wilson
The Bet: Baylor -18.5 or better [In New Jersey? Bet now at PointsBet]
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