Early Line Shows West Virginia as Heavy Underdog to Penn State to Open 2024 CFB Season

Even though the college football season is still a whole summer away, it’s never too early for betting lines. The first line from a major sportsbook for the season opening game between West Virginia and Penn State has been released.

WVU being at home at Milan Puskar Stadium isn’t enough for DraftKings to not view Penn State as a heavy favorite. While the Mountaineers are not as big of an underdog as last season, the way-too-early line has PSU favored by 12.5.

After a 9-4 (6-3) season and a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory, West Virginia is hungry to start the 2024 season getting revenge on the Nittany Lions. Penn State beat WVU in the 2023 season opener at Beaver Stadium 38-15. Penn State would finish the year at 10-3 (7-2), losing to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.

In addition to the 2023 game marking the first time two historic programs that share a region of the country faced off in decades, the night ended with some controversy.

Despite being up by two scores, PSU coach James Franklin decided to try to get another touchdown rather than take a knee, and Penn State succeeded, scoring with six seconds left. Brown didn’t like that too much.

“I wouldn’t have done it,” Brown said in his postgame presser. “But it doesn’t bother me. Stuff like that comes back around.”

West Virginia and Penn State are currently scheduled to play Saturday, Aug. 31. But there’s been talk of that game being moved to Thursday night, which could create some interesting scenes in Morgantown.

Below are some images from last season’s game.