The best offshore sportsbooks for US players favor West Virginia over Army by 7.5 points in the 2020 Liberty Bowl. This is not the bowl game Army expected to play. But it is a chance to reach 10 wins for the fourth time in their history with a AutoZone Liberty Bowl win over West Virginia (5-4, 6-3). The Mountaineers are 0-4 SU away from home this year. They opened as 9-point favorites according to the best online sportsbooks.
West Virginia vs. Army Black Knights NCAAF Odds by BetOnline.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | -7½ (-110) | 42 (-110) | -310 |  |
| Army | +7½ (-110) | 42 (-110) | +255 | |
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Betting West Virginia Mountaineers
The Neers are the favorites per the best offshore sportsbooks for US players. When the Liberty Bowl starts, the Mountaineers will be playing their first game in almost a month. And their second since the mid-November.
West Virginia’s regular-season closer against Oklahoma was canceled as a result of a COVID-19 breakout in the program. That cost WVU a chance to make up for a humiliating 42-6 loss the week prior at Iowa State.
Starting quarterback Jarret Doege looked bad in that game against the Cyclones. He completed fewer than half his passes for 209 yards. He failed to throw a touchdown pass for the second time in three games.
True freshman Garrett Greene subbed for Doege at the end of the game against Iowa State. Head coach Neal Brown suggested Greene may have also seen time against Oklahoma. Then again, Brown confirmed Doege hadn’t lost the starting gig.
The 42 points allowed against Iowa State was uncharacteristic for West Virginia’s defense. They had allowed only 33 points in its past three games combined. WVU finished the season fifth in the nation in yards allowed. Ninth against the pass. And 22nd in points allowed. Linebacker Tony Fields leads the unit. He and
Lineman Darius Stills were honored with the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year awards, respectively.
Betting Army Black Knights
It’s hard to find a team more eager to play a bowl than the Black Knights. Army coaches and administrators weren’t shy about their disappointment when their Independence Bowl appearance was canceled because of the lack of a Pac-12 opponent. Head coach Jeff Monken even told reporters the Knights would need just two days’ notice for them to take any other team’s place in a bowl game. He sure isn’t Monken around.
Army got its wish on December 21 when Tennessee had to withdraw from the Liberty Bowl on account of a COVID-19 breakout throughout the program. Defense is once again the pillar of the Black Knights.
They allowed the fewest passing yards per game (149.9) in the country. They were second in both total yards (271.1) and points allowed (14.0) per game. But Army’s offense converted a pair of fourth downs on its final drive to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy with a 10-7 win over Air Force on December 19.
That included a go-ahead touchdown run by fullback Jakobi Buchanan with 1:13 remaining in regulation.
At this point, it is unclear who Army would start at QB for the Liberty Bowl. Tyhier Tyler left the game against Air Force in the second quarter following a helmet-to-helmet hit. That forced the Black Knights to resort to opening day starter Christian Anderson. Anderson completed his single pass attempt and gained 85 yards on 18 carries.
West Virginia vs. Army Black Knights NCAAF Pick
Looking at the best offshore sportsbooks for US players, West Virginia is 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against a team in the Independents (FBS) conference. Army is 4-2 ATS in their last six games. And 9-2 SU in their last 11 games this season. Army will upset West Virginia.
