Week 0: UNLV vs Idaho State 8/27/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UNLV Rebels and Idaho State Bengals clash Saturday in week 0 college football action from Allegiant Stadium.

The Idaho State Bengals will try to bounce back from an extremely disappointing 2021 season, finishing the year at 1-10 overall including 1-7 in Big Sky conference play, resulting in the Bengals bringing in a new head coach in Charlie Ragle. Hunter Hays returns at QB after throwing for over 1,100 yards, 6 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while also rushing for 276 yards. The main goal for Idaho State this season should be staying healthy as a lack of star power and off-field issues have left a bruise on this program that’s going to take some time to heal.

The UNLV Rebels will look to rebound from a disappointing season in 2021, finishing at 2-10 overall including 2-6 in Mountain West conference play to finish at the bottom of the West division. The Rebels have choices at QB, with top passer Cameron Friel returning to the fold while Harrison Bailey transfers in from Tennessee to give the Rebels an option with a big time arm. The difficult part for UNLV on offense will be replacing two of their top guys in RB Charles Williams and WR Steve Jenkins, with Williams leading the Rebels in rushing yardage while Jenkins was UNLV’s top receiver. Chad Magyar and Louisville transfer Aidan Robbins will try to carry the load while the rest of UNLV’s receiving group is pretty much in tact to carry things forward. On defense, Adam Plant anchors the front line alongside Tavis Malakius and Eliel Ehimare while Austin Ajiake is left to fill the void left by former top defensive dog and now Michigan State Spartan Jacoby Windmon. Kyle Beaudry and Brennon Scott make up two solid pieces to bolster the linebacking group while Jordan Eubanks comes in from Florida State to shore up the group. In the secondary, Phillip Hill and Ricky Johnson fill the safety spots while Cameron Oliver and Nohi Williams make up the top pair of cornerbacks for UNLV this season.

If it was a better Big Sky team, it’d probably be an easier time making a case for the underdog as UNLV lost to an FCS team last season in Eastern Washington, so an upset isn’t off the table, but Idaho State was just so bad last season. That being said, UNLV shouldn’t be favored by four touchdowns against anyone, FBS, FCS, D-II, I don’t care. The Rebels have some turnover from the top end of their lineup and I don’t see them doing enough to cover this big number. I’m not going near this one personally, but if forced to pick, I’d take Idaho State and the boatload of points.