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Idaho State vs UNLV Odds, Lines and Predictions

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Football

Updated Aug 26, 2022 · 9:21 AM PDT

Doug Brumfield scrambles vs Fresno State
Sep 24, 2021; Fresno, California, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Doug Brumfield (2) runs the ball against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the first quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
  • UNLV is a 20.5-point favorite over Idaho State on Saturday, August 27 at 3:30pm ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
  • The Rebels were 2-10 last season, and have gone eight straight years without a winning record
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Two teams that combined to win a grand total of three games in 2021 will square off on college football’s opening weekend. Idaho State travels to UNLV to face the Rebels, in what will be UNLV’s lone contest versus FCS competition.

The Rebels lost their only matchup versus an FCS program last season, but oddsmakers are not expecting history to repeat itself.

Idaho State vs UNLV Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Idaho State Bengals +850 +20.5 (-110) O 52 (-110)
UNLV Rebels -1667 -20.5 (-110) U 52 (-110)

Odds as of August 26th at Barstool Sportsbook.

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UNLV opened up as 20.5-point favorites, in a contest that features a total of 52. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm ET inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with CBSSN providing the broadcast coverage.

UNLV Rebels Betting Analysis

It’s been eight years since the Rebels have had a winning season. They went 2-10 in 2021, finishing last in scoring defense and third worst in points per game in the Mountain West.

This year’s offense looks like a big work in progress. As of Thursday the team still hasn’t named a starter. Transfer Harrison Bailey and sophomore Doug Brumfield have been competing all summer, but it’s still unclear who’ll get the first crack under center. You know what they say, if you have two starting quarterbacks, you don’t have one.

Bailey was thought to have the inside track after coming over from Tennessee, but early week depth charts listed both as QB1.

The ground game has a major hole to plug as last season’s leading rusher and top playmaker Charles Williams is gone. The offensive line and receiving corps remain largely intact, but this is a team that lacks an offensive identity. Last season they averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and 203 passing yards per contest.

Defensively, it’s a similar story. UNLV struggled to rush the passer in 2021, recording only 21 sacks. They didn’t add any elite pass rushers to the mix, and actually lost their best defensive player Jacoby Windmon to Michigan State.

Their defensive line is small, while their secondary is short on talent. They yielded nearly 5 yards a carry last season and 410 yards of total offense. It’s going to be another long season on that side of the ball.

Fortunately, their 2022 NCAA strength of schedule ranking is quite favorable. They have the nation’s 77th most difficult set of opponents and their campaign begins with their easiest matchup of 2022.

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Idaho State Bengals Betting Analysis

The Bengals kick off their campaign looking to put nearly two decades of misery behind them. Idaho State has had just two winning seasons in the last 18 years, and most industry experts project another last-place finish in the Big Sky Conference.

Last year’s team produced just a single victory, which prompted wholesale coaching changes. First-year head coach Charlie Ragle has a complete rebuild on his hands. He faces the daunting task of turning around the Big Sky’s second-lowest scoring offense from a year ago, and the third-worst scoring defense.

Tyler Vander Waal is back under center after his year was cut short last season due to injury. However, he’s hardly a player to get excited about. Vander Waal has a career completion percentage of just 50.7% on his 600+ throws, tossing more interceptions (21) than touchdowns (20).

Roster transfers from Arizona, Utah State, Colorado State, Wyoming, Oregon State, Washington State and Utah should help improve the line play on both sides of the ball, but this team is still extremely short on true difference makers.

UNLV vs Idaho State Pick

The Rebels’ over/under in the college football win total odds is currently set at 4.5. While there appears to be value on the under, it’s hard to imagine they start the season with another loss to an FCS foe.

UNLV has better depth, size and speed, which should be expected as they play in a superior conference. However, with so many question marks on offense, they’re certainly no lock to put up a high total versus Idaho State.

They averaged only 21 points per game a season ago. Their most explosive playmaker is gone and their starting QB job is undecided. It’s difficult to be bullish on them exceeding last year’s average point total by a wide margin regardless of the competition.

That brings the under into play because the Bengals will be lucky to reach their 15-point average from 2021 against the Rebels. They scored 17 points or less in eight of 11 games last season, and I’m banking on another low-scoring output this weekend.

Pick: Under 52 (-110)

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