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If you can figure out the UNLV Rebels, let us know. UNLV looked dead just a few weeks ago and after three straight losses looked like it was set to pack it in on the season following a blowout loss as a home favorite to Utah State. However, the next week, the Rebels came out and knocked off a very good Fresno State team on the road as a 22-point underdog. Then, last week they came out and took care of business against Hawaii. A win this week against the BYU Cougars will move this team to 5-5 and put them on the cusp of bowl eligibility for the first time in Tony Sanchez’s tenure.
This matchup in Week 11 of the regular season will take place on Friday, November 10, 2017, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. This game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
BYU +4
UNLV -4
Odds Analysis
The Rebels started the season on the wrong foot and made a bit of history in the process. UNLV was a 45-point favorite over Howard, but lost outright in a shootout to Cam Newton’s little brother Caylin. No team favored by that many points or more had ever lost outright before and things looked bleak. However, the Rebels battled back with three straight wins against the number following the loss. It was the start of a roller coaster of a season for this team.
This is one of the worst seasons in BYU history. The Cougars are 2-8 and failed to cover their first eight games this year. The offense has been atrocious all season long and the Cougars are currently ranked 124th in the nation in total offense. That has led to seven of their eight games falling short of the total.
Things have turned around in recent weeks for BYU though. The Cougars hammered San Jose State two weeks ago for their first win over an FBS foe and hung tough with Fresno State on the road. These were their first two covers of the season.
Matchup to Watch
BYU’s offense has been unable to do much of anything because of an inability to move the ball through the air. Although Tanner Mangum had a solid day against San Jose State, the Cougars have not been able to throw on any other opponent this season.
On the season, BYU’s quarterbacks are averaging under six yards per pass attempt and have thrown 10 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. Those numbers are terrible, but it’s not just the fault of the four signal callers that have spent time under center for the Cougars. These receivers have been unable to separate at the line of scrimmage and that has given the quarterbacks a tough task.
Fortunately for BYU, UNLV doesn’t have much of a defense. The Rebels are ranked 118th in the nation in terms of total defense and have not been able to stop opponents on the ground. That’s good news for BYU.
Key Stat
All UNLV wants to do is run, run, run. Sanchez has made bringing in fast quarterbacks a priority during his three years at UNLV and his players have put up some gaudy numbers in the running game. The Rebels are averaging 5.7 yards per carry and their three top runners are all picking up at least five yards per attempt. This is one of the best rushing attacks in the nation and it’s no secret what they will try to do.
Free ATS Pick
This is the type of game that BYU finds a way to win. The Cougars will be able to run the ball on the Rebels defense and won’t be forced to throw the ball in order to move the chains. BYU’s defense doesn’t have to worry about a complex passing attack and will be able to stop the run enough to win.
College Football Odds: BYU 27, UNLV 21
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