UNLV and UCLA meet Saturday in college football action from Allegiant Stadium. Here’s a UNLV vs UCLA prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UNLV Rebels vs UCLA Bruins pick.
UCLA…We have a Problem
UCLA really appears like they have some major issues, and it could be another very long season for the Bruins. UCLA faced off against Utah in the first game, a very good team, but they didn’t even put up much of a shot. At the end of the first quarter, they were down 13-,0, and although they scored one touchdown in the second quarter, it wasn’t enough. Nico Iamaleava was the big offseason addition this offseason, and they need him to be a whole lot better. He completed 11 of his 22 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed 13 times for 47 yards. Outside of his legs, there wasn’t much of a running game. Jaivan Thomas finished with seven carries but only managed 17 yards.
On defense, they gave up 492 total yards, and there has to be some major concern about if that type of effort is going to continue. I wouldn’t be shocked if they ended up making some changes on defense to try and give some sort of boost to that side of the ball.
UCLA Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 2, Isaiah Chisom leads the league for tackles (17) this season.
UNLV Looks for 3-0 Start
UNLV has gotten out to a quick start to the season, and they have already picked up two wins. In the first game of the season they were able to secure the 38-31 victory, and in the last game against Sam Houston State they came out ahead 38-21. Anthony Colandrea has looked like the real deal, at least through the first two games, and against Sam Houston State he completed 19 of his 23 passes for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Jai’Dean Thomas also finished with nine carries for 65 yards and another touchdown. Jaden Bradley couldn’t be covered, finishing with six carries for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Even though they were good, the defense has shown some holes, and that is something that is going to be improved upon as the season goes on. If the defense struggles, this could end up being a very long game.
UNLV Rebels Player Props Facts
- Heading into Week 2, Jaden Bradley ranks 1st amongst FBS players for receiving yards (256) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- UNLV ranks 2nd among FBS teams for interceptions this season (5).
- UNLV ranks 4th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (45).
- UCLA ranks 130th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (286.0).
- UCLA ranks 130th among FBS teams for average point differential in first quarters this season (-13.0).
UNLV vs UCLA Prediction
Has the UNLV defense been a problem coming into this game? They sure have, but I am not so sold on the quarterback position for UCLA. Iamaleava is a major problem and I don’t trust him running the score here. For UNLV, they have a star on their hands in Colandrea, and he’s going to have another huge game against the UCLA defense. Is UNLV going to score 42 points again here? Maybe not, but they are going to score at least 35 points, and that is going to be enough for the Rebls to come out ahead here. Back UNLV to win this game outright as the underdogs.