West Virginia’s home opener is a draw today at noon against Coastal Carolina, with a 55.5-point total at most sportsbooks. Both programs are in the midst of hopeful resets; there’s an air of redefinition to both squads after disappointing 2025 seasons. For which there’s plenty of understandable excitement, but also enough offensive uncertainty to head into this write-up wanting to target the total. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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WVU vs. Coastal Carolina prediction, preview
Rich Rodriguez’s first season back at West Virginia as HC ended at a flat 4-8. His offense averaged 21.8ppg, 348.6 yards/game, and only 5.27 yards/play. They left too much on the table when it mattered; the Mountaineers converted only 31.5% of their third downs, ranking near the bottom nationally in that category. Those stalled series repeatedly kept a talented rushing attack/scheme from converting productive scoring drives consistently.
Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. is expected to start at quarterback after competing with Scotty Fox Jr. this summer. Hawkins adds enticing speed, but three of West Virginia’s projected linemen are new to the program. How cofortable they all are with HC Rodriguez’s option concepts will be evident in how the line as a whole gets synchronized, tag-teams blocks. It’d be just like the WVU we know to have an offensive line get an untimely penalty, or blow an assignment in the red zone, such that they have to settle for a field goal attempt.
Coastal Carolina also begins again under former Missouri State coach Ryan Beard. He inherited a 6-7 team that averaged 22.2ppg and 327.4 yards/game. Four quarterbacks competed in camp, which feels like a lot because it is, and the offensive line has already suffered injuries that muddy the protection outlook. New coordinator Nick Petrino has had to install his offense around more than 50 newcomers.
Coastal Carolina vs. WVU pick, best bet
Hard to advocate for an under with these two defenses, such as they were, at least. Coastal conceded 33.1ppg and 448.8 yards/game last season. WVU allowed 30.8ppg and 6.18 yards/play. Still, bad defenses from last year in the transfer portal era don’t mean scoring in a new season, especially not efficient scoring. We’re expecting a lot of new quarterbacks, altered systems, and unreliable third-down offense here. That’s more like than not result in punts, even if an occasional explosive play effervesces.
I’ve got West Virginia controlling possession through Hawkins and its running back rotations. Coastal’s best answer is trying to shorten the game themselves, as opposed to trying to go possession-for-possession. Possible thunderstorms around Morgantown add another reason to expect a potential (and potentially literal) mudfight-style game. The Mountaineers don’t need to come near their three-touchdown spread; even if they do, it’s not going to force this total into the upper 50s.
Best bet: Under 55.5 (-110)
Projected score: West Virginia 34, Coastal Carolina 17
Best Bet: WVU vs. Coastal Carolina u55.5 total points (-110)
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