The UNLV Rebels (0-3) and Fresno State Bulldogs (3-1) meet Friday at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the UNLV vs. Fresno State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Rebels opened the season with a 35-33 overtime loss against Eastern Washington, and they followed that up with a 37-10 loss at Arizona State before taking an ugly 48-3 loss at home against Iowa State last weekend.
The Bulldogs are No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports and returned to the rankings after a 40-37 road victory over UCLA last weekend. If you missed it, the Fresno-UCLA game was an instant classic, with QB Jake Haener gutting out a comeback win despite a hip injury.
UNLV at Fresno State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:22 a.m. ET.
- Money line: UNLV +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | Fresno State -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UNLV +30.5 (-110) | Fresno State -30.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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UNLV at Fresno State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Fresno State 45, UNLV 10
Money line
You can’t play Fresno State (-10000) straight up and risk $100 for every $1 won. That’s just a poor long-term betting strategy which will have you in the red before too long.
AVOID, and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
FRESNO STATE -30.5 (-110) is going to keep its foot on the gas after the big win in the Rose Bowl. The Bulldogs have an underrated offense, as Haener, WRs Jalen Cropper and Josh Kelly and RB Ronnie Rivers are skill position players who would start at a number of Pac-12 schools.
Look for the Bulldogs to get it done in “The Valley” in this Mountain West opener for both. The favorite cashed in four of the last five meetings in this series.
Over/Under
UNDER 59.5 (-115) is the lean, as I love the Fresno State offense, but I don’t trust the UNLV offense one bit. The Rebels were horrendous against Iowa State, another ranked team, last week, and that one was in their home building.
UNLV will continue to spin the wheels on the road against a Bulldogs team playing with a lot of confidence.
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