Winless UNLV will be a significant home underdog Friday when the Runnin' Rebels host the Washington State Cougars in NCAA football betting action.
And after losing to tiny Northern Arizona a week ago (it was the Lumberjacks first win over an FBS team in 25 years), can bettors trust UNLV with any spread? WSU wasn't much better, eking out a win over Eastern Washington, making this lone Friday night battle an interesting one for Vegas.
View Washington State vs UNLV Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Bettors looking to side with the Rebels in this one will find them as 11.5-point underdogs at Sportsbook. The total was sitting at 54.5 Wednesday.
Power Rankings / Prediction: The Rebels - Cougars odds would favor the Cougars if the lines were set according to power ranks. UNLV is rated No. 100 in our latest OddsShark poll, while the Cougars sit at No. 81. Math models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 18-11 win for the Rebels.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits UNLV's No. 96-ranked offense, averaging 20.5 PPG, against a Cougars defense that ranks No. 71 this week at 25 PPG. The Rebels aerial game is averaging 177.5 yards per game, less than the Cougars secondary allows through the air, 341 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Cougars own the league's No. 29-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 123 yards per game when on the road. UNLV, on the other hand, rates No. 58 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
In their last action, Washington State was a 24-20 Sportsbook at home against Eastern Washington. The game had no spread or over-under wagering, as it involved a non-board school. The Cougars grabbed a Week 2 victory over the Eagles in their last game, winning 24-20 at Martin Stadium.
UNLV was a 17-14 loser in its last match at home against Northern Arizona. The game involved a non-board team, hence there was no line or total on it. Tim Cornett tore up the turf for 141 rushing yards in the latest Rebels game, a 17-14 loss to the Lumberjacks at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Washington State Cougars Trends:
When playing in September are 5-5
When playing on turf are 4-6
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 5-5
UNLV Rebels Trends:
When playing in September are 2-8
When playing on turf are 2-8
After outgaining opponent are 0-10
When playing outside the conference are 1-9
A few Cougars at Rebels trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington State's last 6 games on the road
Washington State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington State is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
Washington State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
UNLV is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
UNLV is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
UNLV is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Washington State home to Colorado, Saturday, September 22
UNLV home to Air Force, Saturday, September 22
