San Jose St at UNLV – College Football Predictions
The Game
It doesn’t get much better than this, baby.
The struggling 1-4 San Jose St Spartans visit the CITY OF SIN on Saturday night to face the potential JUGGERNAUT UNLV REBELS in Mountain West Action. UNLV opened the season with a comical loss to something called Howard but struck back with a crushing road win over the wacky Idaho Vandals. They followed that up with a loss (but a cover $$) vs Ohio St last week. The Rebels still have a shot to make a bowl game in year three of the Tony Sanchez era but they need to win all the rest of the “freebies” and most of the toss-ups.
The Details
UNLV -13.5 SAN JOSE ST (64.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – UNLV -16
Sagarin Ratings – UNLV – 14
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: UNLV 39 San Jose St 25.5
Massey Ratings Projected Score: UNLV 34 San Jose St 31
The Match-Up
UNLV offense vs San Jose St defense
UNLV has a very underrated offense (31.6 points per game last season) and they should be able to shred though a Spartans stop unit that has allowed 42,56,54 and 61 (!!) vs their four FBS opponents. What we really like is the dynamic playmaking of QB Armani Rogers and the running of RB Lexington Thomas (425 yards, 8.5 yards per carry in three games). WR Devonte Boyd is a devastating weapon in the passing game. Overall the Rebels are the #8 rushing team in the FBS despite having played Ohio St. San Jose St is a horror show on defense and spend way too much time on the field. They are #125 in rushing defense and #119 in the FBS in total defense. It seems unlikely they will be able to hold UNLV to under 40 points.
San Jose St offense vs UNLV defense
The Spartans offense has been horrendous and they will be without the only dynamic QB on the roster in Montel Aaron. Something called Josh Love will likely get the start and their is no running game or passing game to speak of as we go to press. The UNLV pass defense has been awful but they did hold the Ohio St running game to just 190 yards on 40 carries. It seems unlikely that San Jose St will be able to cause many problems for UNLV.
MEGA-MAZING MUNCHIES
San Jose St has won 7 straight in the series…..TREND GUY is all over Spartans ML.
Summary
This seems like an easy win and cover for the Rebels. Nobody likes laying double digits with teams like this BUT San Jose St is almost at the bottom of our power ratings and they are banged up and have no confidence or direction. Or talent.
Official play
UNLV -14 -107 (play up to -16.5)