3% Take UNLV (#107)

Here’s what I wrote about UNLV prior to the season, in my write-up recommending the Rebels plus the points in their blowout win at Houston in Week 1. 

“Plain and simple: I have lived in Las Vegas since 1998.  The state of the UNLV football program RIGHT NOW heading into Barry Odom’s second year on the job is better than at any point over the last 27 football seasons that I’ve been following this program closely.  The Rebels have all the makings of a ‘bet-on’ team again in 2024, just like they were in 2023.

“UNLV won nine games last year (most wins since the Randall Cunningham season in 1984) and reached the Mountain West Championship Game for the first time in the history of the program. They led the conference in scoring; returning an elite level receiving corps and the Rebels best offensive line in decades.  Defensively, UNLV has upgraded their secondary fairly dramatically through the transfer portal and they return the vast majority of their solid front seven.  No surprise here if defensive minded Odom creates a nasty stop unit in 2024."

At 2-0 SU and ATS, UNLV has certainly lived up to my expectations thusfar, and they’re just getting started; in a classic ‘bowl revenge’ spot.  Kansas lost a tough, physical contest last week to Illinois and they’ve got their Big 12 Opener on tap for next week at West Virginia; a legitimate ‘sandwich’ spot.  Expect a battle, not a blowout.  Take UNLV

Line Parameter: 3% at +7.5 or higher, 2% at +7 or lower