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Podcast: Big Bets On Campus Episode: College Football Offseason Update | Part 2 Segment: West Virginia podcast segment **Team-Specific Podcast Notes** - **West Virginia transfer portal upgrade angle** — not a direct wager call, but Duck described the roster as improved enough that **a bowl-game run / feisty Big 12 season** is in play. - **Several portal classes could matter early in September before the market fully adjusts**: West Virginia and Cal both got named as under-the-radar upgrades that could create betting value before public ratings catch up. - **West Virginia:** Duck likes the portal haul, especially FCS defensive pieces and several offense-fit additions. He specifically mentioned Michael Hawkins at QB, Cam Cook at RB, improved edge/linebacker talent, and a better chance at bowl eligibility. Transcript excerpt: A team like Ohio State reloading in different positions. And all of that's true and all of it is worthy of the column inches and the discussion. But where you can really make your money and you can learn about a team early and then absolutely capitalize in the month of September is those under the radar classes. So you want to talk about West Virginia, and this is a make or break. This is, you know, not a situation necessarily where I think Rich Rod will get shoved out the door. But if this season does not go well, it has that ripple effect in terms of donor money, NIL war chest, high school recruiting, all of it. They need things to start moving in the right direction here. And this is a pivotal year to do it. So you think they've actually struck it big with this portal class. So talk me through some of the players that you like. Yeah, I mean, I kind of think that they have really upgraded the roster. SP Plus has West Virginia power rated as the worst team in the Big 12. And frankly, I just think that's a mistake. I like the FCS flavor that comes in on defense. Cameron Reddick comes in from Stephen F. Jason Hall comes in from Villanova. Both of those players were solid contributors at the FCS level for two decent FCS teams. Andrew Powdrell comes in from UNLV, started his career at Montana State. But some of the other guys that come in that I think will be players that are equipped to run the system offensively. Michael Hawkins comes in at quarterback to battle or potentially rotate in with Scotty Fox. You know, last year at quarterback, West Virginia threw Scotty Fox in there and he was just kind of, it was so jerky because he was ill prepared to run the scheme. And I think it probably wasn't a great fit, but I think Hawkins can actually do a little bit more in the offensive system that Rich Rodriguez wants to run. I think he's a little bit better suited for that. Cam Cook comes in at running back from Jacksonville State, dynamic running back who I believe will flourish here in this system. The offensive line gets upgraded with a pair of guys who played at UConn. There's some Jacksonville State starters that come through. He was offered by K-State and Texas, ultimately choosing West Virginia. I think they upgraded their edge rushers. They get some tough, gritty, rust belt style linebackers that come in and Tyler Stoltzki and Malachi Hood. So I think that the defense will have a little bit more just ability to create some havoc and to really thwart drives at times last year they were not able to do that when they played up against tougher competition. I think it's going to be a fun group this season and I won't be surprised at all if West Virginia makes a bowl game and plays very feisty football in the Big 12 this year. So yeah, a non-top-10 class that I'm excited about. I'm really excited about year two for Rich Rod. I'm going to go with Cal. I think quietly there's a lot to like in this transfer haul for the Golden Bears. They needed more weapons for JKS. They get Adam Muhammad, a running back. Ian Strong from Rutgers. Chase Hendricks from Ohio, who was electric at times for the Bobs. And Dorian Thomas at tight end.