No. 21-ranked UNLV is one win away from a second straight trip to the Mountain West Championship and a rematch with Boise State, which handed the Rebels their only conference loss on Oct. 25.
The Rebels (9-2, 5-1 Mountain West) moved back into the No. 2 spot in the conference standings after Colorado State’s meltdown against Fresno State last weekend. UNLV needs to beat in-state rival Nevada at 8 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS Sports Network to clinch its spot in the championship, which will be held Dec. 6 in Boise, Idaho.
UNLV also lost to Boise State 44-20 in last season’s Mountain West title game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Rebels probably don’t need any more motivation with all that’s on the line and their rivals coming to town, but they also have a chance to win at least 10 games in a season for just the third time in program history and the first time since 1984.
They used a dominant rushing attack to control the clock in last week’s win over San Jose State, winning the time of possession battle 40 minutes, 42 seconds to 19:18. Running back Jai’den Thomas led the way with 135 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
Nevada (3-9, 0-6 Mountain West) has a talented backfield of its own. Quarterback Brendon Lewis and former Texas running back Savion Red have combined for 1,468 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground this season, but the Wolf Pack were held to just 94 rushing yards in a loss to Air Force last week.
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UNLV vs. Nevada Betting Line
UNLV is a 17.5-point college football betting odds favorite, and the Over/Under is 55.5 points. Nevada leads the all-time series in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon 28-21, but UNLV has won the last two times they played.
The Rebels are 10-10 against the spread in their past 20 games as the favorite at home. The Wolf Pack are 14-6 ATS in their past 20 games as an underdog on the road.
UNLV vs. Nevada Prediction
I predict UNLV wins 42-21.
Unlike their rival, which isn’t eligible for a bowl game, the Rebels have a lot to play for. They’re fighting for a spot in the Mountain West Championship and a likely College Football Playoff berth if they can find a way to beat Boise State in the title game. They’re No. 24 in the latest CFP rankings. UNLV is going to be a motivated team. Add that to the way the Rebels are running the ball and dominating on defense, and Saturday’s matchup in Las Vegas has all the makings of a blowout.
Oregon State at Boise State Betting Line & Prediction
How to watch: Noon ET, Fox
Betting line: Boise State is a 20.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 56.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Boise State wins 45-17. The Broncos have already clinched home field advantage in the Mountain West title game, but running back Ashton Jeanty needs another big performance to stay in stride with the leaders in the Heisman Trophy race. I expect Boise State to feed Jeanty, while Oregon State’s Anthony Hankerson needs just 28 rushing yards to hit 1,000 on the season.
Utah State at Colorado State Betting Line & Prediction
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1
Betting line: Colorado State is a six-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 58.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Utah State wins 35-24. Colorado State still has a chance to play in the Mountain West title game. The Rams need to beat Utah State, and they need UNLV to lose to Nevada. Unfortunately, they’re facing what has been one of the conference’s hottest offenses the past two weeks. Utah State put up 55 points on Hawaii thanks to 191 rushing yards from running back Rahsul Faison, and the Aggies beat San Diego State 41-20 behind 193 rushing yards and four touchdowns from quarterback Bryson Barnes.
Stanford at San Jose State Betting Line & Prediction
How to watch: 4 p.m. ET, CBS
Betting line: San Jose State is a three-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 55.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Stanford wins 24-20. Two of the Cardinal’s three wins this season came against Syracuse and Louisville, which was ranked No. 22 at the time. Stanford’s offense runs through a pair of athletic quarterbacks. Ashton Daniels has thrown for 1,448 yards and nine touchdowns, and he leads the team with 578 rushing yards. Justin Lamson has thrown four touchdowns, and he leads the Cardinal with seven rushing touchdowns.
Wyoming at Washington State Betting Line & Prediction
How to watch: 6:30 p.m. ET, The CW
Betting line: Washington State is a 17-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 58.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Washington State wins 34-14. Cougars quarterback John Mateer has racked up 42 touchdowns and 3,727 yards of offense this season. He also leads a team that’s angry after its surprising loss to Oregon State last week. I expect the Cougars to easily cover the spread, especially if Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson doesn’t play after he was put into concussion protocol in the second half of the Cowboys’ loss to Boise State last weekend.
