Thanks to conference realignment, the Mountain West has a new look for 2026. After Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Utah State and Fresno State departed to the Pac-12, the Mountain West responded by adding North Dakota State, UTEP and Northern Illinois to bring its membership to 10 teams. With some of the top programs moving to the Pac-12, there is a huge opportunity for teams like UNLV, New Mexico, Hawaii, North Dakota State and Air Force to emerge atop the Mountain West on a consistent basis.
North Dakota State (9.5) has the highest over/under win total at DraftKings, followed by New Mexico, UNLV and Hawaii at 7.5. Mountain West newcomers Northern Illinois and UTEP have the lowest over/under total at 3.5.
Athlon Sports highlights the best over/under win total bets using DraftKings odds for the Mountain West and predicts which side of each team's total will hit in 2026.
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Mountain West Over/Under Win Total Picks
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Air Force (6.5)
Steven Lassan: Over
Kyle Wood: Under
Hawaii (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
Nevada (4.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
New Mexico (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
North Dakota State (9.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
Northern Illinois (3.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
San Jose State (4.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
UNLV (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
UTEP (3.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
Wyoming (5.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Under
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Best Mountain West Over/Under Bets for 2026
New Mexico (Over 7.5)
I'm surprised to see New Mexico's over/under at 7.5. This team won nine games last season and could be the preseason favorite to win the Mountain West with 12 starters back. Central Michigan, Mercyhurst and a road trip to New Mexico State, are all winnable in non-conference play. Also, the Lobos catch North Dakota State, UNLV and Air Force all at home this season. This team feels much closer to 9-3 than 7-5. -Steven Lassan
Hawaii (Over 7.5)
The Rainbow Warriors are well-positioned to build on last season's nine-win breakthrough. All of Hawaii's hardest conference games (UNLV, New Mexico, North Dakota State) are at home. And coach Timmy Chang's group can pick up three wins out of conference if it can score another season-opening upset against Stanford. -Kyle Wood
Northern Illinois (Under 3.5)
New and change are the two themes of Northern Illinois' 2026 season. The Huskies are on the move from the MAC to the Mountain West, while Rob Harley is set to work as the program's interim coach this fall after Thomas Hammock departed to work as an assistant with the Seahawks. With just four starters back, NIU has too many questions (and a tougher schedule now in the MW) to push for a bowl this fall. -Lassan
UNLV(Over 7.5)
The Rebels' schedule is not easy, but 4-0 in non-conference play is not unthinkable with Memphis and Cal both coming to Sin City. Coach Dan Mullen's squad is the team to beat. And with Boise State out of the Mountain West, the monkey should be off UNLV's back. Remember, this team has 30 wins over the last three years. -Wood
Air Force (Over 6.5)
Air Force has surprisingly posted back-to-back losing seasons. However, I'll take a chance on the Falcons to go over the 6.5 on the strength of quarterback Liam Szarka, along with the guess that coach Troy Calhoun will get this program back on track. Revamping both lines of scrimmage are a concern this fall, but Calhoun's team should rebound back to a winning record in '26. -Lassan
Nevada (Under 4.5)
There are no guaranteed wins on the Wolf Pack schedule — and that's with an FCS opponent on deck. Nevada has not won more than three games in a season since 2021. Even some of it's easier conference games (UTEP, Northern Illinois) are on the road. Five wins feels like a bridge too far in coach Jeff Choate's third season in Reno. -Wood
More College Football Conference Betting Predictions
Athlon Sports picks over/unders and best bets for 2026:
- ACC
- Big 12
- Conference USA
- Pac-12
- Sun Belt
