West Virginia vs. Ohio: College football is back in full swing, and one of the matchups that immediately caught my eye in Week 2 comes out of the MAC. The Ohio Bobcats may not grab national headlines like some of the bigger programs, but if you have been paying attention, you know this team has the talent and firepower to be one of the most exciting offenses in the country. Led by quarterback Parker Navarro, Ohio nearly shocked Rutgers as double-digit underdogs in Week 1, proving they can hang with Power Five competition.
Now they return home to Athens with a golden opportunity against a West Virginia team that brings in an entirely rebuilt defense and faces its first true test of the season. The Bobcats have the personnel and the system to take advantage, and I have already circled a particular angle on their offense that I believe offers real value.
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Week 0/1 Results: 4-5 (-0.53u)
Overall CFB Record Since 2022: 174-162-4 (+13.62u)
West Virginia vs. Ohio Betting Odds
Can Parker Navarro will the Bobcats to a win on Saturday?
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of September 6, 2025 at 9:23 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code FREE250 for a 50% deposit bonus up to $250 as well as 100 Free Spins at the online casino.
Spread
- West Virgina -3.5 (-105)
- Ohio +3.5 (-115)
Moneyline
- West Virginia -165
- Ohio +145
Total
- Over 58.5 (-110)
- Under 58.5 (-110)
West Virginia vs. Ohio – September 6
For those that are unaware, I have slowly become a massive fan of this Ohio Bobcats program. They have a strong team led by an electrifying quarterback in Parker Navarro. This is simply a very easy MAC team to root for.
After losing to Rutgers by three last week as double-digit underdogs, the Bobcats now look to Week 2 for their first possible win of the season at home against the West Virginia Mountaineers. This game should be packed, as it is only a two-hour drive from Morgantown, West Virginia to Athens, Ohio.
Game of the Week, Per Me
Some may see this game as a snoozer, but not me. I see another chance for this explosive Ohio offense to shine against a big-conference opponent. They have already proven they can rack up points against Rutgers, and I believe they can do it again against a much weaker West Virginia defense. That is why I love the Bobcats team total over 28.5. I believe this is the safer route compared to taking the points.
West Virginia’s Defense
Now let us dive into this West Virginia defense. It is completely rebuilt from last season, with zero returning starters. Phil Steele projects to give up nearly 400 yards and over 30 points per game.
Yes, West Virginia held Robert Morris to three points in Week 1, but that means absolutely nothing. Now they face an Ohio offense that brings back its starting quarterback from last year, five of its top six receivers, and a former 1,000-yard rusher in Sieh Bangura. On top of that, the offensive line adds former Rutgers left tackle Shedrick Rhodes. This unit should be every bit as good as last season, if not better. It already showed in Week 1 by racking up over 400 yards of offense against Rutgers. Steele projects Ohio to average more than 380 yards and 28.4 points per game this season.
I shied away from taking the points because I have concerns about how well the Ohio defense will handle West Virginia’s uptempo offense. At times, Rutgers looked like they were going to score at will on every drive, and I would rather not sweat that out. Also, there is the strange coincidence that West Virginia’s quarterback might be my cousin…
Nicco Marchiol… Colby Marchio…
That has to be my very, very distant cousin, right? Never go against the family, as they say.
Still, with West Virginia having a completely brand-new defense, I firmly believe Parker Navarro and the Bobcats offense will shine again in their home opener. This is the type of spot where experience matters, and Ohio returns the kind of firepower that can overwhelm an opponent searching for answers. Navarro has the arm talent and mobility to expose a defense full of new faces, while his supporting cast is more than capable of turning this into a statement game. Athens will be rocking, and I see Ohio using that energy to deliver points early and often.
Best Bet: Ohio Team Total Over 28.5 (-120) odds via BetOnline
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