Memphis vs UNLV Prediction Football Picks Today 8/29/26

In this article, we will formulate a Memphis vs UNLV Prediction for this College Football Week 0 matchup on Saturday, August 29^th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.

UNLV Rebels Preview

UNLV finished last season with a 10-4 overall record, 6-2 conference record and were placed 1st place of the Mountain West conference. They had a 5-1 home record and a 5-2 road record and were 7-7 against the spread and 6-8 in over/under.

Offensively the Rebels scored 34.1 points per game last season, which ranked 18th in the nation. Defensively, they allowed 28 points per game, which ranked 89th in the nation. UNLV averaged 446.4 total yards per game last season, with 195.5 average rushing yards and 250.9 average passing yards per game. They allowed 419.1 total yards per game, 177.4 of them rushing and 241.7 passing yards per game.

Anthony Colandrea led the Rebels with 275/417 completed passes and 3459 total passing yards and had 23 touchdowns. Jai’Den Thomas led the team in rushing yards, with 1036, adding a team-high 12 touchdowns, while Jojo Earle had a team-high 22 caught passes for a team-high 258 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Marsel McDuffie had a team-high 112 total tackles, 55 of them solo, while Tunmise Adeleye led the Rebels in sacks, with 6.

Memphis Tigers Preview

Memphis finished last season with an 8-5 overall record, 4-4 conference record and were placed 6th place of the American conference. They had a 4-2 home record and a 4-2 road record and were 8-5 against the spread and 6-7 in over/under.

Offensively the Tigers scored 32.5 points per game last season, which ranked 25th in the nation. Defensively, they allowed 23.2 points per game, which ranked 52nd in the nation. Memphis averaged 517.2 total yards per game last season, with 183.2 average rushing yards and 334 average passing yards per game. They allowed 358.2 total yards per game, 131.0 of them rushing and 227.2 passing yards per game.

Brendon Lewis led the Tigers with 253/368 completed passes and 2673 total passing yards and had 16 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Sutton Smith led the team in rushing yards, with 669, adding a team-high 9 touchdowns, while Cortez Braham had a team-high 63 caught passes for a team-high 889 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Sam Brumfield had a team-high 113 total tackles, 47 of them solo, while Sam Brumfield led the Tigers in sacks, with 4.5.

Memphis Tigers @ UNLV Rebels Betting Trends: Week 1

Why the UNLV Rebels will win

• UNLV has won seven of its last eight games at Allegiant Stadium.
• Memphis has lost each of its last four games.
• Memphis has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games.
• UNLV has covered the spread in five of its last six home openers as a favorite.
• UNLV has won the first quarter in four of its last five games in August.
• UNLV has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Allegiant Stadium.

Why the Memphis Tigers will win

• Memphis has won 11 of its last 12 season openers.
• The underdog has covered the spread in five of UNLV’s last six games at Allegiant Stadium.
• UNLV has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four home games.
• Memphis has won the first quarter in seven of its last 10 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Memphis has won the first half in nine of its last 11 games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of UNLV’s last eight home openers as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
• Four of Memphis’ last five games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

UNLV Rebels Player Prop Facts

• Laterrance Welch ranked T7th amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) last season.

Memphis Tigers Player Prop Facts

• Tychaun Chapman ranked 22nd amongst qualified players for Yards Per Reception (17.9) last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• UNLV recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team last season (4).
• UNLV ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (12.8).
• Memphis ranked 4th among FBS teams for red zone percentage last season (93.8).
• Memphis ranked 6th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game last season (3.2).

Memphis vs UNLV Prediction

In this Memphis vs UNLV Prediction, UNLV is coming as -4.5 home favorites. UNLV was almost perfect at home last season and had a top-20 offense in the nation. They are projected as a top-45 team this season and this is a team that went to the Mountain West Championship Game a year ago, so I expect them to win and cover at home in this one.