BYU vs. UNLV Total Pick
Can UNLV and BYU put up enough points to hit a low total when the two teams meet up Friday night at 10:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, UNLV is favored at home on Saturday, as the Rebels are getting odds of -4 points against BYU. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 50.5 points. BYU has won the seven straight meetings with UNLV and the two have hit the over in their last four encounters. The public is currently putting 57 percent of the wagers on UNLV at home. Friday’s game takes place from Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada and the contest will air live on ESPN2.
BYU is coming off a 20-13 loss at Fresno State last weekend to fall to 2-8 on the season. The Cougars are 7-3 with the under this year. BYU hasn’t had much of an offense all season, averaging just 15.1 points and 305.2 yards per game. Injuries have played a big factor as BYU has four running backs and two quarterbacks on the injury report. Current starter Beau Hoge is questionable for this game due to an ankle injury. He is completing just 48 percent of his passes in place of Tanner Mangum, who suffered a torn Achilles. Squally Canada is the leading rusher with 333 yards on 67 carries. On defense, BYU is allowing just 26.4 points and 381.5 yards per game.
UNLV is coming off a 31-23 win over Hawaii last weekend for its second straight victory. The Rebels are now 4-5 on the season and 6-3 with the under. UNLV is giving up 32.4 points and 464.6 yards per game this season, including 222 rushing yards per game. On offense, the Rebels are putting up 30.1 points and 424.4 yards per game. Lexington Thomas is leading the team with 1,063 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while QB Armani Rogers has 538 yards and six scores. Rogers has also thrown for 1,100 yards and five touchdowns. Devonte Boyd is the leading receiver with 26 catches for 493 yards and two scores.
This game features each team putting their strength against the opposing team’s strength. That means BYU could move the ball a little more than normal, but the Rebels aren’t likely to rack up as much on offense. Still, 51 points seems like a lot to ask for from these two. UNLV is 5-1 with the under in its last 6 against losing teams. BYU is 8-1 with the under in their last 9 road games and 20-6-1 with the under in their last 27 Friday games.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: BYU/UNLV UNDER 50.5