The UNLV Rebels (+1) are traveling west to face their in-conference counterpart San Jose State Spartans at CEFCU Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET and interested parties can watch the action on ATSN.
Betting Preview: San Jose State Spartans vs. UNLV Rebels
In this Saturday Mountain West game, San Jose State has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 1 point. The Rebels are also receiving -115 moneyline odds while the Spartans are -105. Some solid live betting possibilities could present themselves during the game, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 59.5 points.
The original odds have changed, as the opening line was 2. The game’s over/under hasn’t moved after it was set initially at 59.5.
The Rebels are 4-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 5.6 units so far. The team’s recorded an Over-Under mark of 5-1.
The Spartans are down 4.5 units this season. The team is 3-4 ATS and has an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Rebels are 2-5 straight up (SU), including 0-3 SU against conference opponents. The Spartans are 0-7 SU overall and are also 0-3 SU in conference play.
The Rebels hope to get back on track after a 41-35 defeat to Air Force last week. Max Gilliam completed 26 passes for 261 yards, three scores and one interception. Lexington Thomas (108 yards on 20 rush attempts, two TDs) led the running attack. Brandon Presley (seven receptions, 78 yards, one TD) and Darren Woods Jr. (five catches, 75 yards, two TDs) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
A week ago, San Diego State got the victory against this San Jose State team by a score of 16-13. Josh Love completed 26-of-36 passes for 215 yards and one interception. Tyler Nevens (60 yards on 20 rush attempts) handled the running game while Tre Hartley (six receptions, 68 yards) and Josh Oliver (six catches, 53 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
UNLV has run the ball on 62.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while San Jose State has a rush percentage of 45.5 percent. The Rebels have run for 240.3 yards per game (including 112.0 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Spartans are putting up 52.0 rush yards per game (49.7 in conference) and have seven total rushing TDs.
The Rebels offense has logged 143.3 yards/contest in the air overall (211.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Spartans have produced 255.4 pass yards per contest (307 in the MWC) and have 10 total pass scores.
Defensively, UNLV should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 221.3 yards and pass for 240.9 yards per game. The San Jose State defense has allowed 261.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 186.0 yards per game on the ground. The Spartans are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.67 to opponents, while the Rebels have given up a staggering 9.52 ANY/A.
Love has completed 100-of-185 passes for 1,245 yards, eight TDs and six INTs for San Jose State. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 5.18 for the year and 4.41 over his last two outings. In the other locker room, Gilliam is up to 384 passing yards this season. He’s completed 42-of-74 attempts with five passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Gilliam’s got a 4.25 ANY/A, including 5.67 over the last two outings.
When these two programs faced each other a year ago, UNLV won by four touchdowns 41-13.
UNLV Rebels at San Jose State Spartans Betting Pick
SU Winner: UNLV, ATS Winner: UNLV, O/U: Over
