Unlv Rebels vs Nevada Wolf Pack Picks and Predictions November 29th 2024

UNLV Rebels vs Nevada Wolf Pack November 29th 2024

UNLV comes into this week 14 college football matchup as the heavy favorite with a -17.5 point spread. The game is set for 8:00 ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with CBSS handling the TV broadcast. The over/under line is at 55.5 points. UNLV has a 9-2 record, while Nevada is 3-9 on the season.

Nevada vs. UNLV Key Information

Nevada enters Week 14 against UNLV with a 3-9 record, ranked 103rd in our CFB power rankings. They are already out of bowl contention. The Wolf Pack is 1-4 on the road and 1-5 at home this season.

Nevada’s ATS record stands at 5-5-1, with a -4.2 average scoring margin. They are 3-2 against the spread on the road and 2-3-1 at home. As the favorite, they are 0-1 ATS, but they’ve gone 5-3-1 as the underdog.

The over/under line for this week is 55.5 points. Nevada’s games have averaged 51.8 points, with an average line of 49.2. They are 5-6 against the over/under this season.

Nevada’s offense ranks 73rd in our power rankings heading into week 14, averaging 23.8 points per game. They are 24th in rushing attempts, with 172.7 yards per game on the ground. Savion Red leads the team with 683 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, and an average of 5 yards per carry.

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Quarterback Brendon Lewis has thrown for 1,998 yards with a passer rating of 95. Nevada ranks 18th in third-down conversions, converting 46.2% of their attempts. Lewis has 14 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. Jaden Smith leads the receiving corps with 757 yards and six touchdowns on 53 catches.

Nevada’s defense is giving up an average of 28 points per game this season, ranking 79th nationally. They’ve allowed 183.3 rushing yards per game, which is 133rd in the country. Against the pass, they’ve given up 201.2 yards per game, with a 55.1% completion rate and a passer rating of 74.2, ranking 21st and 29th, respectively.

In their recent game against Air Force, Nevada allowed 22 points and 319 rushing yards on 66 attempts, while giving up 0 passing yards on just 3 attempts. They also forced an interception in the game.

The Rebels Can Win If…

With a 9-2 record, UNLV is a lock for bowl eligibility and has a 29.7% chance of winning the Mountain West. They’ve gone 6-0 on the road and 2-1 at home this season. The Rebels have been favored in six of their 11 games, and they’ve won all six of those matchups.

UNLV’s ATS record stands at 5-4, with a +16 average scoring margin. They are 4-2 against the spread on the road and 1-2 at home, going 3-3 ATS as the favorite this season.

Their over/under record is 4-5, with their games averaging 61.5 points. The average over/under line has been 57.6 points, and this week’s line is set at 55.5 points.

UNLV’s offense has been one of the top scoring units in college football, averaging 38.7 points per game, which ranks 8th in the nation. They are also 5th in rushing yards, with 250.7 yards per game, and 4th in rushing attempts, averaging 44.6 carries per game. Jai’Den Thomas leads the ground attack with 698 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and an average of 5 yards per carry. Heading into week 14, we have them ranked 44th in our offensive power rankings.

Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams has thrown for 1,567 yards this season, completing 63.8% of his passes. He has 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 108. Ricky White III is the leading receiver, with 965 yards and 10 touchdowns on 70 catches.

UNLV’s defense is coming off a strong performance, allowing just 16 points and 114 total yards in their recent game against San Jose State. They limited the Spartans to 33 rushing yards on 24 attempts and just 81 passing yards, while giving up one passing touchdown.

On the season, UNLV is ranked 16th nationally in rushing yards allowed, giving up just 104.8 yards per game. They are also 12th in the country in completion percentage allowed, holding opposing quarterbacks to 53.3%.

UNLV is the heavy favorite in this matchup with a -17.5 point spread. We expect them to cover, with a projected final score of 43-20 in their favor.

Given our projected score of 43-20, the total points is 55.5, and with our projection of 63 total points, we recommend taking the over.

No. 22 UNLV Eyes Milestone Season in Rivalry Clash Against Nevada

The stakes couldn’t be higher for No. 22 UNLV as the Rebels prepare to host in-state rival Nevada in the Battle of the Fremont Cannon on Saturday in Las Vegas. With a win, UNLV can clinch its first 10-win season since 1984 and secure a spot in the Mountain West title game for the second consecutive year.

Rebels in Control of Their Destiny

UNLV (9-2, 5-1 Mountain West) has reached historic heights this season, earning its highest rankings in both the AP and CFP polls after a gritty 27-16 victory over San Jose State last week. The Rebels regained control of their Mountain West destiny thanks to Fresno State’s victory over previously unbeaten Colorado State.

A Season of Close Calls and Resilience

UNLV’s only losses this season have come by a combined eight points to Syracuse and Boise State. They’ve proven themselves against tough competition, including early wins over Big 12 opponents Houston and Kansas.

“None of it matters if we don’t take care of business this week,” coach Barry Odom said. “We know what this game means, and we’re certainly excited to have the game at home.”

Offensive Stars Leading the Way

Hajj-Malik Williams, who took over as quarterback following a well-publicized NIL dispute with former starter Matthew Sluka, has become the heart of the Rebels’ offense. Williams has tallied 1,567 passing yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 664 yards in just eight starts.
“It might have been addition by subtraction,” Nevada coach Jeff Choate remarked about the QB change. “(Williams) is a dynamic player … the RPO style fits him perfectly.”

Receiver Ricky White is on the cusp of another 1,000-yard season, needing just 35 more yards to hit the mark. White has already racked up 70 receptions and 10 touchdowns. Running back Jai’Den Thomas is coming off a 135-yard performance and leads the team with 697 rushing yards.

Nevada Seeks First Conference Win

Nevada (3-9, 0-6 Mountain West) enters the game on a five-game losing streak but has shown flashes of competitiveness. The Wolf Pack have played tight games against Fresno State, Air Force, and Boise State, even pulling off an upset of Oregon State earlier this season.

Challenges in a Rebuilding Year

First-year head coach Jeff Choate is looking to guide Nevada to its first conference win of the season while improving on last year’s 2-10 finish.
“Sometimes one team has an advantage for a while, but usually that pendulum shifts back and forth pretty consistently in this rivalry,” Choate said. “It’s a perfect rivalry from the standpoint of how different Northern and Southern Nevada are.”

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Key Matchups

1. Hajj-Malik Williams vs. Nevada’s Defense: Williams’ dual-threat ability will test a Nevada defense that has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks.
2. Ricky White’s Milestone Watch: White’s quest for a second straight 1,000-yard season adds intrigue, especially against a Nevada secondary that has shown vulnerabilities.
3. Nevada’s Grit: Despite their record, the Wolf Pack have played several close games against strong opponents. Can they keep it competitive?
4. Momentum for UNLV: With a Mountain West title game on the line, can the Rebels maintain focus against an underdog opponent?

What’s at Stake

For UNLV, a win not only secures their 10th victory of the season but also a chance to avenge their earlier loss to Boise State in the Mountain West Championship. For Nevada, spoiling their rival’s dream season would be a major consolation in a rebuilding year.

This rivalry game is steeped in history and emotion, and while UNLV is heavily favored, anything can happen when the Fremont Cannon is on the line. Will the Rebels rise to the occasion, or can the Wolf Pack play spoiler? Fans are in for an intense and meaningful showdown in Las Vegas.