The UNLV Rebels and the Michigan Wolverines meet Saturday in college football action from Michigan Stadium. UNLV is fresh off an opening-week matchup versus Bryant. In that one the Rebels bagged a 30-point victory. As for Michigan, they played East Carolina in their first game of 2023. The Wolverines would go on to win that one in a blowout as well. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

UNLV Rebels 

UNLV took on Bryant in their first matchup of the year and didn’t have too much trouble. After a 17-point first quarter, the Rebels scored in every period from there on the way to a 44-14 blowout win. UNLV’s Doug Brumfield threw for 86 yards and a TD, while Vincent Davis led the rush with 79 yards and a score. 

The Rebels didn’t have too many issues moving the ball against Bryant, and it led to some odd statistical outcomes. UNLV posted 283 rushing yards and 6.4 yards per play but only held the ball for 19:46 total. The Rebels’ third-down efforts went very well, as the team made nine of 15 tries.

UNLV Rebels Team Facts

UNLV has lost eight of its last nine road games in September.
UNLV has covered the spread in each of its last 10 road games against non-conference opponents.
UNLV has lost the first half in eight of its last nine road games against non-conference opponents.
Each of UNLV’s last four road openers have gone UNDER the total points line.

Michigan Wolverines 

Over on the Michigan side, they faced off against East Carolina in their first game of the season. The Wolverines were up 23-0 by halftime and hit cruise control in the second for a 30-3 victory. Quarterback JJ McCarthy threw for 280 yards and three scores, all to Roman Wilson who led the way with six catches for 78 yards. 

The Wolverines defense was working well against an overmatched East Carolina team in the opener. Michigan gave up just 235 total yards (132 passing), 4.3 yards per play, 12 first downs and 5-of-13 on third-down tries. The Pirates’ 10 penalties for 88 yards didn’t help much, but there wasn’t much chance at ECU hanging around with Michigan anyway. 

Michigan Wolverines Team Facts

Michigan has won each of its last 24 September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
The team ranked 2nd in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
Michigan has won the first quarter in each of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at Michigan Stadium.
Michigan has won the first half in 19 of its last 20 games against non-conference opponents at Michigan Stadium.
Ten of Michigan’s last 11 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Michigan Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Michigan ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (12.9).
Michigan ranked 1st among FBS teams for H2 points per game last season (22.8).
UNLV ranked 34th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (5.7).
UNLV ranked 37th among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.583).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Michigan. The line’s a little too thick to mess with, though. The Wolverines didn’t have much trouble in their first-game matchup versus East Carolina, but this one should be more of a challenge. Michigan’s offense was pretty well-rounded in the win, posting a total of 402 yards (280 passing), 6.5 yards per play and 26 first downs. The Wolverines had zero turnovers and made 6-of-10 on third-down tries. As for UNLV, they didn’t have to do much of anything through the air in the Bryant game, and the result was at least one rushing touchdown for four different players. The Rebels will have to switch things up a bit here, as the Wolverines won’t wear down so easily.