Mountain West Championship Odds 2024: Boise State Remains Favorite After Jeanty's Huge Opener
![Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty gains yardage against Georgia Southern. The Broncos lead the Mountain West Championship odds.](https://img.sportsbookreview.com/uploads/2d065cf8-1030-4909-b7c0-aeb0ede119f0.jpg?fm=webp&auto=format&auto=compress&h=587&w=880&fit=crop&crop=faces,top,left)
Boise State remains the favorite by the Mountain West Championship odds behind the dominance of star running back Ashton Jeanty in Week 1.
Jeanty, who's now a Heisman Trophy odds dark-horse candidate, ran all over Georgia Southern to lead the Broncos to a 56-45 win.
But for as impressive as Boise State was during the victory, UNLV may have made an even better case to climb the College Football Playoff odds.
The Rebels didn't just beat a Power 4 team on the road. They whipped Houston in a 27-7 triumph, despite being a 3.5-point underdog at our top college football betting sites.
And while Fresno State didn't pull off a win against Michigan, which entered the game No. 9 in the AP Top 25, the Bulldogs put up a far greater fight than anybody anticipated.
Fresno State only lost 30-10 to a college football championship odds contender, confirming that it's a three-team race in the Mountain West this year.
Mountain West Championship odds
Mountain West Championship odds from our best sports betting apps as of Sept. 5 | 🔥 = best odds | ❄️ = worst odds
Team | DraftKings | FanDuel | BetMGM | Caesars | bet365 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boise State | -125 🔥 | -155 ❄️ | -130 | -130 | -130 |
UNLV | +360 | +370 🔥 | +350 | +340 ❄️ | +350 |
Fresno State | +500 | +700 🔥 | +500 | +475 ❄️ | +500 |
Air Force | +1400 | +2000 🔥 | +1400 | +1200 ❄️ | +1400 |
Colorado State | +1800 | +2500 🔥 | +1600 | +1500 ❄️ | +1600 |
Wyoming | +2000 | +4000 🔥 | +2000 | +1700 ❄️ | +1800 |
San Diego State | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 | +2500 ❄️ | +4000 |
Hawaii | +6000 🔥 | +4000 ❄️ | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
Utah State | +6500 | +8000 🔥 | +6000 | +5500 ❄️ | +6000 |
San Jose State | +8000 | +11000 🔥 | +8000 | +9000 | +8000 |
Mountain West Championship favorite
Boise State (-125)
No running back is going to top what Jeanty did in Week 1.
The Boise State star demoralized Georgia Southern's defense while running for 267 yards and six touchdowns. His backup Sire Gaines finished with 154 yards from scrimmage and two TDs as well.
It was a good reminder that it might not matter who the Broncos put behind center this year.
While Maddux Madsen won the job over former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson, it's clear Spencer Danielson plans on winning the Mountain West by running the ball and playing stingy defense.
But his defense didn't look very good in the opener against the Eagles. Georgia Southern put up 45 points with JC French throwing for 322.
The talent is there for Boise State to boast the best defense in the conference. But it was a little disheartening to see it struggle so much. And now it has to go toe-to-toe with Oregon in Week 2.
At this price, I'd rather wait and see how Boise State looks over its next three non-conference games before backing them. A $10 bet at -125 pays just an $8 profit.
However, I still think Boise State wins the conference because Jeanty is the best running back in the country.
Best odds: -125 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 58.33%
My Mountain West Championship team to watch
UNLV (+370)
There was a little bit of uncertainty surrounding UNLV entering the season after freshman phenom Jayden Maiava transferred to USC. But concerns about Barry Odom's QB quickly disappeared in Week 1.
The Rebels were up 24-0 on Houston going into the fourth quarter and would have notched a shutout if not for the Cougars' garbage-time TD with one minute left.
Holy Cross transfer Matthew Sluka looked good enough in his UNLV debut, especially when considering he joined the team late. His mobility could be an X-factor in Brennan Marion's offense.
I think the more significant takeaway though comes from the Rebels' defense. Against a QB with NFL buzz (Donovan Smith), UNLV held Houston to just 247 total yards.
Linebacker Jackson Woodard, the preseason MWC Defensive Player of the Year, was everywhere. And former Arkansas and Texas safety Jalen Catalon played like the steal of the transfer portal with two interceptions, including a pick-6.
This defense looks capable of carrying UNLV to its first Mountain West title. If it does, a $10 bet pays a $37 profit. That's a better play right now than Boise State at minus money.
Best odds: +370 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 21.28%
2024 Mountain West Championship odds over time
Odds via DraftKings.
Team | Opening odds (June 20) | July 19 | Aug. 14 | Sept. 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boise State | +140 | +100 | -110 | -125 |
Fresno State | +280 | +400 | +475 | +500 |
UNLV | +550 | +550 | +550 | +360 |
Colorado State | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 | +1800 |
Wyoming | +1200 | +1400 | +1400 | +2000 |
Air Force | +1300 | +1200 | +1100 | +1400 |
Utah State | +2200 | +2800 | +3000 | +6500 |
San Diego State | +2800 | +2800 | +2800 | +4000 |
San Jose State | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 | +8000 |
Hawaii | +8000 | +5500 | +5000 | +6000 |
Nevada | +20000 | +20000 | +30000 | +10000 |
New Mexico | +35000 | +35000 | +35000 | +20000 |
Past Mountain West Championship winners
Year | Team | Preseason odds |
---|---|---|
2023 | Boise State | +200 |
2022 | Fresno State | +200 |
2021 | Utah State | +10000 |
2020 | San Jose State | +10000 |
2019 | Boise State | +100 |
2018 | Fresno State | +500 |
2017 | Boise State | +120 |
2016 | San Diego State | +250 |
2015 | San Diego State | +600 |
2014 | Boise State | +140 |
How to bet on the Mountain West Championship
When betting on Mountain West Championship odds, first, choose a reputable sportsbook that offers college football futures. Check out the odds for different teams; for example, if Boise State has +300 odds and UNLV has +600, a $100 bet on Boise State would win you $300 if they take the championship.
Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Boise State at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on team performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Remember, when betting in future markets, the odds will move. It’s mostly about performance and perception. If a team starts playing better or worse than expected, their odds will change. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and thus their odds. Transfers and new player acquisitions can also affect a team's championship odds.
Public betting trends play a role too - if a lot of people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds.
How to read Mountain West Championship odds
Reading Mountain West Championship odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (i.e., +300) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.
For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (i.e., -150) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (i.e., +200) suggest a higher probability of winning, while higher odds (i.e., +1000) indicate a lower probability. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like team performance, injuries, transfers, and betting patterns.
For example, if Fresno State has +300 odds and Colorado State has +600 odds, Fresno State is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Fresno State and they win, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.
Mountain West Championship FAQs
Who's the favorite to win the Mountain West Championship?
Boise State is the favorite to repeat as the Mountain West champion after winning the conference last year. With odds as short as -155, there's a 60.78% implied probability the Broncos will win the Mountain West.
Who won the Mountain West Championship last year?
The Boise State Broncos beat the UNLV Rebels, 44-20, in the 2023 Mountain West Championship game.
How is the Mountain West Championship game determined?
The Mountain West Championship will be played between the two teams with the highest conference winning percentage.
While the conference has an agreement in place with Oregon State and Washington State, neither are official members of the conference. Therefore, they will not be eligible to play in the conference championship and games against them will not count toward the Mountain West standings.
When is the Mountain West Championship game?
The Mountain West has set its championship game for Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET.
Where is the Mountain West Championship played?
The conference hasn't officially announced the game's location yet, but it was played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last season.
College football odds pages
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