Liberty Bowl: Army-WVU Is the Most Entertaining Game You'll Bet New Year's Eve
If you’re not excited for this game, do you even have a pulse?
Less than ten days ago, it looked as though Army, fresh off an incredible 2020 campaign where they won the Commander-In-Chief Trophy, weren’t going to have a chance at a bowl game.
A ton of you guys emailed us championing for Army to replace Tennessee in the Liberty Bowl. I imagine you all sent it to anyone willing to listen. Sincerely, America, thank you for pounding those keys. Imagine being forced to watch the Vols in a bowl game.
In all seriousness, the Army Black Knights deserve the opportunity and want to put a stamp on another double-digit season by beating the WVU Mountaineers. WVU, on the other hand, comes in motivated to play their first game in almost a month and avenge an embarrassing loss. The Mountaineers last played Iowa State on December 5, losing 42-6.
While we always try to predict the outcome, it’s a lock that this game will be NASTY. Liberty Bowl Stadium in Memphis will be wet, cold and windy. In other words, the weather will be unpleasant, but the football game will be AWESOME!
Here are the current odds via the Fan Duel Sportsbook:
(odds subject to change)
Liberty Bowl: Army Black Knights (9-2) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-4)
Spread: ARMY: +10.5 (-122), WVU: -10.5 (+100)
Moneyline: ARMY: (+360), WVU: (-500)
Total: Over 40.5: (-118), Under 40.5: (-104)
Against the Spread: ARMY +10.5
This is an Army team which is desperate to play a bowl game after their original game was canceled. They are playing for head coach Jeff Monken, who looks to earn his 50th win at West Point. They come in with the 2nd-best defense in the country in yards … and you’re giving me 10.5 points?!
Sign. Me. Up.
It’s a fantastic spot for Army to cover, not just because their head coach and players want it badly, but because their triple option will cause fits for WVU’s defense, just as it does for every other team.
Army’s game plan is clear. They play with tons of grit, run the football down opponents’ throats, control the clock, and play hard-hitting, exceptional defense. WVU has the better offense, so don’t expect Army to win this game outright (though I am throwing a few bucks on the Moneyline). But an offense can’t score when it isn’t on the field.
That analysis leads me to the total.
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Pick: UNDER 41.5
I know, I know. The line opened at 44.5, moving down a potentially crucial field goal. The sharps got to this line early and bet it way down. We may not be getting the best value here, but we’re getting value nonetheless. Don’t overthink it.
The Liberty Bowl will probably be the quickest bowl game played this season. The under was 5-4 in Mountaineers games this season, and their offense will be rusty, having played just three games since the end of October. On the other hand, Army went 7-4 on the under for reasons I laid out above.