On paper, the Boston College Eagles have a lot going for them across Massachusetts sports betting heading into the 2024 college football season.
The Eagles have a veteran crew, as eight starters return on offense and seven more on defense. Among ACC squads, only Virginia Tech (19) and newcomers Stanford and Cal (each with 16) bring back more. Former coach Jeff Hafley guided BC to a 7-6 record last year, but instead of coming back, he opted to take the defensive coordinator job with the NFLâs Green Bay Packers.
Bill OâBrien, the former head coach of Penn State and the Houston Texans, takes over in Chestnut Hill. The former New England Patriots assistant under Bill Belichick has three national college coach of the year awards on his mantle, but he hasnât been the main guy on the sidelines since the early part of the 2020 season with Houston, which fired him after an 0-4 start to his seventh season leading the Texans.
Despite what the Eagles return and the caliber of coach theyâve brought in, oddsmakers are skeptical about the teamâs chances to post a winning record in 2024. FanDuel Massachusetts Sportsbook oddsmakers have set the Eagles total at 4.5 wins.
BetMassachusetts.com wanted to know how recent college teams have fared when given that preseason projection by oddsmakers. We utilized SportsReference.com to identify such teams over the last three years and see whether they hit or missed their mark.
Season Performance Of 4.5 Win Total College Football Teams
The information below can be useful while navigating MA betting apps. Here are the numbers for teams with an 4.5 win total to begin the season.
Situation | Number of Teams | Percentage* |
|---|---|---|
Under 4.5 Wins | 18 of 31 | 58.1% |
Over 4.5 Wins | 13 of 31 | 41.9% |
Average Win Total of Teams | 4.58 wins* |
*Rounded to nearest whole number
What Do Recent Trends Say?
As you can see, it doesnât bode well for BCâs 2024 season based on the recent trends. However, at FanDuel, the Eagles have odds of -148 to exceed 4.5 wins. (NOTE: Massachusettsâ sports betting laws prohibit licensed sportsbooks from taking wagers on season win totals for in-state college teams.)
BCâs 2024 docket includes a couple of tough non-conference games in September. They must travel to Missouri on Sept. 14 and host Michigan State a week later. Even the Sept. 28 home game against Western Kentucky is far from a sure thing.
In conference, the Eagles get their toughest test early. On Labor Day, they will travel to play a Florida State team that has visions of making the playoffs this season. You can bet on the Seminolesâ win total at FanDuel in Massachusetts, and oddsmakers set it at 9.5 wins.
The Noles are one of six ACC teams on BCâs schedule that have a preseason win total set at 7.5 wins or more. That includes hosting a Louisville team on Oct. 25 that is projected to win 8.5 games.
USA Today photo by Jason Snow.
