Missouri's Opener
Missouri will travel to West Virginia on September 3 to open the season against a West Virginia
team that figures to be better on offense this year, but do lose nine of their thirteen tacklers on
defense including four NFL draft picks. The defense could be susceptible to giving up a lot of
points early in the season while the new starters adjust which leaves the back-door wide open
for a much improved Missouri offense (awful 2015). The technicals are also in favor of the Tigers
here as they are a respectable 28-16 against the spread (64%) the last ten years in non-conference
action while also sporting a solid 12-5 ATS mark (71%) as an away underdog. Meanwhile, West
Virginia has struggled as a home favorite under coach Dana Holgorsen going just 9-15 ATS (37%).
Finally, the early noon start could see both teams slow out of the gate which I believe favors a
big dog. I lean Missouri to cover the 11.5 in a fairly low scoring game. At least under the posted
total by the books.
Sidenotes West Virginia:
10-21 ATS their last 31 as a favorite.
6-13 ATS their last 19 as a home favorite.
3-7 ATS their last 10 overall.
17-5 Under last 22 overall.
10-1 Under last 11 at home as favorite 10.5 plus.
22-6 Under last 28 as a favorite.
9-4 Under last 13 vs. non-conference teams.
6-1 Under last 7 as a home favorite.
Sidenotes Missouri:
1-4 ATS their last 5 road games.
2-5 ATS their last 7 as dog of 10.5 plus.
2-6 ATS their last 8 as an underdog.
12-2 Under last 14 September games.
18-7 Under last 25 overall.
5-0 Under last 5 road games.
6-1 Under last 7 games as underdog.
4-0 Under last 4 versus non-conference games.
Missouri will travel to West Virginia on September 3 to open the season against a West Virginia
team that figures to be better on offense this year, but do lose nine of their thirteen tacklers on
defense including four NFL draft picks. The defense could be susceptible to giving up a lot of
points early in the season while the new starters adjust which leaves the back-door wide open
for a much improved Missouri offense (awful 2015). The technicals are also in favor of the Tigers
here as they are a respectable 28-16 against the spread (64%) the last ten years in non-conference
action while also sporting a solid 12-5 ATS mark (71%) as an away underdog. Meanwhile, West
Virginia has struggled as a home favorite under coach Dana Holgorsen going just 9-15 ATS (37%).
Finally, the early noon start could see both teams slow out of the gate which I believe favors a
big dog. I lean Missouri to cover the 11.5 in a fairly low scoring game. At least under the posted
total by the books.
Sidenotes West Virginia:
10-21 ATS their last 31 as a favorite.
6-13 ATS their last 19 as a home favorite.
3-7 ATS their last 10 overall.
17-5 Under last 22 overall.
10-1 Under last 11 at home as favorite 10.5 plus.
22-6 Under last 28 as a favorite.
9-4 Under last 13 vs. non-conference teams.
6-1 Under last 7 as a home favorite.
Sidenotes Missouri:
1-4 ATS their last 5 road games.
2-5 ATS their last 7 as dog of 10.5 plus.
2-6 ATS their last 8 as an underdog.
12-2 Under last 14 September games.
18-7 Under last 25 overall.
5-0 Under last 5 road games.
6-1 Under last 7 games as underdog.
4-0 Under last 4 versus non-conference games.
