UNLV vs. Ohio State Prediction
Can No. 10 Ohio State run right past UNLV when the two meet up this Saturday at Noon ET? Here’s our preview and prediction for this clash.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Ohio State is the overwhelming favorite in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -40.5 points against the Rebels. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 63.5 points. These two meet up from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network.
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Ohio State is 2-1 this season due to the 31-16 loss to Oklahoma a few weeks ago. The Buckeyes are just 1-2 against the spread, failing to cover in their last two games. The Buckeyes defense has been a little suspect, allowing 401.7 yards per game thus far, that includes 275 passing yards per contest. On offense, Ohio State is putting up 34.3 points and 510.7 yards per game. The run game is producing 243 yards per game. J.K. Dobbins has run for 425 yards and three scores to lead the squad while J.T. Barrett has thrown for 757 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 159 yards and two scores.
UNLV is 1-2 on the season and 1-2 against the spread. The Rebels failed to cover in their losses at home to Howard and Nevada. Scoring hasn’t been the problem for UNLV, as the Rebels are putting up 42 points and 557 yards per game. The run game alone is averaging 350.5 yards per game. Lexington Thomas is leading the offense with 341 rushing yards and five touchdowns while quarterback Armani Rogers has thrown for 413 yards and run for 168 yards. The issue with UNLV this season is the defense which is giving up 29.5 points and 414 yards per game. The Rebels are allowing 213.5 yards per game on the ground right now.
There’s little doubt that Ohio State is a better football team than UNLV, but asking the Buckeyes to beat anyone by 40.5 points is a lot. The offense hasn’t quite been able to dominate opponents and the defense hasn’t shown itself to be as good as previous years. The trends also don’t like Ohio State in this one as it is just 1-5 against the spread in its last 6 games against Mountain West opponents and 1-5 in its last six at home. UNLV has posted a 6-1-1 record against the spread in its last eight games against Big Ten opponents.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: UNLV +40.5