When it comes to college football independents, only four teams remain for the upcoming season: Notre Dame, Army, UConn, and UMass. BYU has already made the move to the Big 12, while Liberty and New Mexico State have joined Conference USA. Each of these independent squads has their own story and expectations for the season. In this article, we will take a closer look at each team’s prospects and make season win total picks.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish had a roller coaster season last year, finishing with a 9-4 record. They had notable wins over Clemson but also suffered some surprising losses. This year, Notre Dame has made some changes to their coaching staff and added former Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman. With a challenging schedule ahead, including games against Ohio State and USC, the Fighting Irish will need to step up their game to reach their win total of 8.5.
Pick: Under 8.5 wins +115
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
Army Black Knights
Army’s goal for this season is clear: beat Navy, beat Air Force, win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, and secure a bowl game berth. While head coach Jeff Monken has done an impressive job with the program, this year might be challenging as the team transitions to a new offensive scheme. With games against Power Five teams and Group of Five programs that all made bowl games last year, reaching the 6-win mark could be tough for Army.
Pick: Under 6 wins (-105)
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
UConn Huskies
Under the leadership of head coach Jim Mora, UConn surprised many by winning six games last season. Despite losing their starting QB for a significant portion of the year, the Huskies managed to secure victories as underdogs. While they have a tough schedule ahead with four Power Five opponents, UConn’s strong offense and defensive line give them a chance to reach five or more wins this season.
Pick: Over 5 wins (-110)
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
UMass Minutemen
UMass has struggled since joining the FBS ranks, with only a handful of wins in recent years. However, the team has made some improvements, including the addition of QB Taisun Phommachanh. With a strong defense and upgrades to their offensive weapons, the Minutemen have a chance to surpass their win total from previous seasons.
Pick: Over 2.5 wins (-115)
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
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