UNLV heads to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday in search of its second Power Four upset of the season.
The Rebels opened the year with a 27-7 win over Houston thanks in large part to the offense racking up 195 rushing yards and the defense forcing three turnovers. They kept the ball rolling last weekend with a program-record 695 yards of offense in a 72-14 win over Utah Tech.
UNLV will face one of the most experienced teams in the country at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Kansas’ roster includes 30 seniors, who have combined to make 450 starts. The game is a rematch of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, which Kansas won 49-36.
UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka is sure to target star wide receiver Ricky White, who caught three touchdowns in the first quarter last weekend and finished the Rebels’ historic performance with five catches for 111 yards. The Rebels’ defense is led by preseason co-Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Woodard. The linebacker posted 11 tackles and three sacks against Houston.
Kansas is coming off a 23-17 loss to Illinois despite putting up 327 yards of offense compared to the Illini’s 271. Running back Devin Neal racked up 101 rushing yards, crossing the century mark for the 14th time in his career. Quarterback Jalon Daniels threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
New Customer Offers at BetMGM
Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l Terms
UNLV vs. Kansas Betting Line
Kansas is a 8.5-point college football betting favorite, and the Over/Under is 58.5 points. UNLV is 6-14 against the spread in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road. Kansas is 13-7 ATS in its past 20 games as a favorite at home.
UNLV vs. Kansas Pick
I predict UNLV beats Kansas 34-28.
White is a next-level talent and a nightmare to guard one-on-one. Sluka is a dual-threat quarterback who was a two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award at Holy Cross. The Rebels have the weapons on offense to match up with the Jayhawks, and UNLV has enough experience on defense to contain Neal and capitalize on any mistakes Kansas makes.
Rivalry Week
Utah At Utah State
How to watch: 4:30 ET Saturday, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Utah is an 18.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 43.5 points. The Utes are 11-9 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite on the road, and they’re 79-29-4 all-time in the Battle of the Brothers. Utah State is 4-16 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home.
Prediction: I predict Utah wins 42-14. It’s the first time the rivals have played since 2015. Utes’ quarterback Cam Rising is unlikely to play after suffering a finger injury against Baylor last week, according to The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy. That means Utah’s offense will be entrusted to freshman Isaac Wilson, and they’ll probably lean more on running back Micah Bernard, who posted 118 yards against Baylor. Rising’s absence makes this one a little more interesting, but Utah State simply doesn’t have the talent on defense to stay in the game.
Colorado At Colorado State
How to watch: 7:30 ET Saturday, CBS
Betting line: Colorado is a 7-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 58.5 points. The Buffaloes are 14-6 against the spread in their past 20 games as the favorite on the road. They’re 68-22-2 all-time in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, and they’ve won six straight games in the rivalry. Colorado State is 5-15 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home.
Prediction: I predict Colorado State wins 34-31 in the first Rocky Mountain Showdown played in Fort Collins since 1996. This game has all the makings of a track meet. Neither team has dominant offensive or defensive lines, but both are stacked with explosive players. Colorado’s Travis Hunter might be the biggest matchup nightmare in the country no matter which side of the ball he’s on. Colorado State has a few playmakers of its own, including wide receiver Tory Horton and running back Justin Marshall. Whoever has the ball last is probably going to win, and I think the Rams get their first win over the Buffalos since 2014.
Other Mountain West Picks
Nevada At Minnesota
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Big Ten Network
Betting line: Minnesota is a 17.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 43.5 points. The Gophers are 15-5 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite at home. Nevada is 8-12 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road.
Prediction: I predict Minnesota wins 35-10. It’s been all but impossible to throw the ball against Minnesota in the first two weeks of the season. The Gophers limited North Carolina to 105 passing yards in the opener and held Rhode Island to 117 last week. Minnesota has also snagged four interceptions and held teams to an average of 193.5 yards of offense so far this season. Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis has been a pleasant surprise, but he likely won’t be enough to power the Wolf Pack to a win.
New Mexico At Auburn
How to watch: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN2
Betting line: Auburn is a 28-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 60.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Auburn wins 56-14. The Tigers are reeling after last week’s loss to Cal, and they’re sure to take that pent up aggression out on the Lobos. Auburn is going to have to take much better care of the ball after quarterback Payton Thorne threw four interceptions last week, but the Tigers aren’t likely to have major letdowns in back-to-back weeks.
Air Force At Baylor
How to watch: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1
Betting line: Baylor is a 16.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 41.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Baylor wins 35-10. Air Force has enough experience on defense to force teams to work for their points, but the offense is in shambles, especially with fullback Dylan Carson dealing with an injury. The Falcons managed just 197 yards and seven points against San Jose State last week. Baylor is coming off an 11-point loss to Utah, but dual-threat quarterback Dequan Finn is athletic enough to give any defense fits. Expect the Bears to lean on him.
BYU At Wyoming
How to watch: 9 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: BYU is an 11.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 40 points.
Prediction: I predict BYU wins 24-17. Wyoming seems lost offensively without running back Harrison Waylee, who injured his knee about a month ago and missed the past two games. The Cowboys fell 17-13 against FCS Idaho last week, which doesn’t bode well with the Big 12’s BYU going to Laramie on Saturday. The Cougars posted 336 yards of offense in an 18-15 win over SMU last week, and they should put their running-back-by-committee approach to work in what could be another low-scoring affair.
San Diego State At Cal
How to watch: 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN
Betting line: California is an 18.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 48 points.
Prediction: I predict Cal wins 21-10. San Diego State got blanked last week in a 21-0 loss to Oregon State. The Aztecs are facing a fired up bunch this weekend with Cal coming off a rare win over Auburn. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was efficient last week, completing 25 of 36 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He helped the Bears go 10 of 19 on third-down conversions, and he’ll have to help keep the offense on the field again this week so San Diego State’s talented running back, Marquez Cooper, doesn’t have a chance to torch them.
New Mexico State At Fresno State
How to watch: 10:30 p.m. ET Saturday, TruTV/Max
Betting line: Fresno State is a 19.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 47.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Fresno State wins 45-24. Fresno State jumped out to an early lead last week against Sacramento State thanks to another stellar performance by quarterback Mikey Keene (24 of 35, 358 yards, and 2 TDs) and wide receiver Mac Dalena’s breakout game. Dalena caught seven passes for 235 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs’ top returning receiver, Jalen Moss, finished with five catches for 57 yards. Expect another explosive performance from one of the top passing attacks in the Mountain West.
Kennesaw State At San Jose State
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET Saturday, TruTV/Max
Betting line: San Jose State is a 19.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 44 points.
Prediction: I predict San Jose State wins 42-10. San Jose State held on to beat Air Force 17-7 last week thanks in large part to a defense that limited the Falcons’ triple-option rushing attack to 143 yards. The Spartans’ defense should be in for another big day, while quarterback Emmett Brown continues to look for his favorite target, wide receiver Nick Nash, who caught seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown against Air Force.
Hawaii At Sam Houston
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN+
Betting line: Sam Houston is a 4.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 49.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Hawaii wins 24-21. Sam Houston is expecting a sellout crowd for its home opener against Hawaii, but the Bearkats’ big day could get spoiled by a Hawaii squad that gave UCLA all it could handle last week. The Bruins trailed 13-7 late in the third quarter and needed three late field goals to secure a 16-13 win. Hawaii’s passing attack has been lethal through the first two weeks of the season. Quarterback Brayden Schager and wide receiver Pofele Ashlock have connected 14 times for 192 yards and a touchdown. Sam Houston’s defenders are going to have a hard time keeping up.
