The Las Vegas view is sometimes an eyebrow-raising view, although that can intentionally be to spur sports fans to put some money down.

For example, in the over/under win totals released by The Golden Nugget, they have Ohio State at 8.5. That’s enough to get a non-betting man like me itching to wager.

That list of 24 teams is dominated by SEC teams with seven included. No other conference has more than four.

Here we take a look at the regular season over/under win totals of the four West teams that were listed and determine how reasonable they are.

Alabama

Over/under: 9.5

Skinny: Alabama has almost forgotten what life without 10 wins looks like. The Crimson Tide has actually posted at least 11 wins in seven of the last eight seasons with 2010 being the only time in which it didn’t record double-digit wins (9-3).

So if you’re taking the under, you’re siding very strongly against history. It’s almost like you’re slapping it in the face.

Still, a 9-3 regular season might not be completely crazy considering Alabama has a trio of tough road games at Ole Miss, at Tennessee and at LSU.

There’s also the tricky neutral site opener against USC, which will potentially be even trickier without left tackle Cam Robinson as he faces legal troubles. He’s scheduled to appear in court on June 16 for an arraignment hearing for weapon possession.

However, if anyone can overcome the loss of a star player, Nick Saban is that person. If Alabama can even win one of those three road games, it’s a good bet to win 10 games.

 

Best bet? Over. Even without Robinson, Saban has maybe its most talented overall roster on both sides of the ball since he arrived in Tuscaloosa.

LSU

Over/under: 9.5

Skinny? The Tigers went a disappointing 8-3 in the regular season after a three-game losing streak late in the season, but the team will have high expectations every season as long as they’re named the LSU Tigers.

The schedule actually sets up pretty nicely in what will be a critical year for coach Les Miles. Alabama and Ole Miss will come to Death Valley, and LSU will have a bye week to prepare for the Tide.

Still, the Tigers haven’t actually enjoyed a 10-win regular season since doing it in three straight years from 2010-12.

LSU will have to navigate some tough road contests against Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M. That doesn’t include a neutral site opener against Wisconsin, which is really a road game as it will be played in the Badgers’ backyard at Lambeau Field.

The Tigers certainly have the talent on both sides of the ball to get it done, but a 10-win regular season will likely come down to the development of QB Brandon Harris and how quickly the team adjusts to Dave Aranda’s 3-4 scheme.

Best bet? Over. On that last point, the team has some time. Outside of the Wisconsin game, the first test doesn’t come until traveling to The Swamp on Oct. 8. The games against Ole Miss and Alabama aren’t until Week 8 and Week 10, respectively.

Ole Miss

Over/under: 7.5

Skinny: It almost feels like more and more people are coming down on the Rebels lately. One sportsbook, 5Dimes, had Florida State opening as an 8.5-point favorite against Ole Miss for their Week 1 matchup in Orlando.

Are you kidding me was the first thought I had when I saw that.

While Florida State will certainly be ranked in the top 10, Ole Miss has a shot of being there also. Less-than-stellar QB Sean Maguire, returning for his fifth season, was in a walking boot for the Seminoles’ spring game although he’s still expected to be the starter.

On the other side, the Rebels return a QB in Chad Kelly who’s poised to be the first taken off the board in next year’s NFL Draft.

Anyways, Ole Miss has eight games outside of that one and others against Alabama, Georgia and LSU that fit into the more-than-winnable category.

Best bet? Over. A 7-5 season would be a major disappointment in a year that many people in Oxford are actually hoping to compete for an SEC West title. As long as the team doesn’t crumble after facing FSU, Alabama and Georgia in three of its first four contests, an eight-win season or better is highly likely.

Auburn

Over/under: 7

Skinny: At first glance with Auburn’s schedule, you might notice the school will play each of its first five games at home and doesn’t even leave The Plains until Oct. 8.

Then, you realize two of those five games are against formidable fellow Tigers: a season-opener against Clemson (an early 9.5-point road favorite) and a Week 4 matchup against LSU.

Auburn is expected to be teetering around seven or eight wins like it has the last couple seasons, and whether it can win one of those contests or pull out a major road win over Ole Miss, Georgia or Alabama after the bye will go a long way in figuring that out.

Even then, the Tigers’ offensive mysteries won’t do it any favors against offensively rich opponents Arkansas and Texas A&M.

Best bet? Under. Auburn is more likely to go 6-6 than 8-4 during the regular season due to a tough season opener against a seasoned Deshaun Watson and ACC powerhouse Clemson as well as three brutal road games.