The fifth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun’s sports staff is now under way, effective July 1.
Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.
Past winners are Case Keefer in 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.
West Virginia Mountaineers minus-10 vs. Tennessee Volunteers, $550 to win $500:
There are a slew of attractive matchups on the first Saturday of the college football season, including the early-afternoon showdown in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Volunteers are rebuilding under first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt, who is fresh off a National Championship as defensive coordinator for Alabama. While Pruitt may turn the Tennessee defense into a powerhouse, it will take time.
Facing one of the best quarterbacks in the country isn’t a great recipe for figuring things out on defense, especially when Tennessee is expected to start two true freshmen in the defensive backfield. That could open the doors for a monster game for Mountaineers quarterback Will Grier. After throwing for 3,490 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, Grier is a Heisman Trophy hopeful.
West Virginia also returns Grier’s top targets Gary Jennings Jr. — who caught 97 passes for 1,096 last season — and David Sills V — who led the team with 18 receiving touchdowns.
West Virginia’s offense should be too much for Tennessee to keep up with. Pruitt still hasn’t announced whether he’ll go with redshirt sophomore Jarrett Guarantano or fifth-year senior Keller Chryst at quarterback, but neither is a particularly good option.
I’ll lay the points with the Mountaineers.
Current Standings: Keefer (8-5, $10,618), Grimala 6-3, $10,300), Granger (4-1, $9,455), Brewer (3-6, $7,500)
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