The UNLV Rebels and Houston Cougars meet Saturday in week 1 college football action at TDECU Stadium. Here’s a Houston vs UNLV Prediction. This article will include a Houston vs UNLV Pick.
UNLV Rebels Betting Preview
The UNLV Rebels are coming off a 9-win season and look to make back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in school history. UNLV enters the second year under coach Barry Odom. UNLV has to replace quarterback Jayden Maiava, but a 1-2 wide receiver punch in Ricky White and Jacob De Jesus is special, and the Rebels bring back 4 of their 5 starters along the offensive line. If Mathew Sluka or Hajj-Malik-Williams can figure things out at QB, UNLV has a chance to be one of the better offenses in the MWC.
Defensively, Jackson Woodard returns after leading UNLV with 116 tackles, Alexander Whitmore had 2.5 sacks and Cameron Oliver had 5 interceptions. UNLV landed Texas A&M cornerback Tony Grimes and Texas safety Jalen Catalon as well. UNLV has the third-best odds to win the MWC, behind Boise State and Fresno State. For the first time in a long time, Vegas has a college football team it can be proud of.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars are coming off a 4-win season which snapped a 3-year bowl streak. Houston now enters the Willie Fritz era, a coach with 208 career wins and is fresh off two huge years at Tulane. Quarterback Donovan Smith returns after throwing for 2,800 yards and 22 touchdowns, and QB Zeon Chriss transfers from Louisiana after 11 touchdown passes last year. Houston snagged a big transfer in wide receiver and return man Mekhi Mews, who helped Georgia win two national titles. The concern is Houston has to replace 4 of its 5 starters along the offensive line.
Defensively, A.J. Haulcy returns after leading Houston with 108 tackles, Anthony Holmes Jr. had 2.5 sacks and Jamal Morris had 2 tackles for loss. Houston has a ways to go after finishing 108th in scoring defense last year. Only Arizona State and BYU have the worst odds to win the Big 12 this season.
Why the UNLV Rebels will win
- Houston has lost five of its last six games.
- UNLV has won four of its last five road games.
- UNLV has covered the spread in each of its last 12 road games against non-conference opponents.
- Houston has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against opponents from the Mountain West Conference.
- Houston has lost the first half in six of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UNLV’s last five road openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of Houston’s last six games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Houston recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team last season (2).
- UNLV ranked 16th among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (8.7).
- UNLV ranked T16th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (8.3).
Houston vs UNLV Prediction
The Houston Cougars are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home, but there are serious questions on the offensive line, and they’re breaking in a new coach. The UNLV Rebels have less question marks out of the gate, and they’re a legit contender in the MWC after having a successful season last year. UNLV is not a team to take lightly and if the expectations are true, this is a more than winnable game. I’m rather high on UNLV this season and will see value in getting the Rebels in the underdog role. Give me UNLV and the points in this toss up game.