UNLV vs. New Mexico Pick
Which struggling football team will come away with a win on Friday night when New Mexico plays host to UNLV at 9:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, New Mexico is favored at home, as the Lobos are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Rebels. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 56 points. UNLV has five of the last seven meetings with New Mexico, covering the spread in the five wins as well. The public is currently split on this one, with each team getting 50 percent of the wagers. Tonight’s game takes place from Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico and will air live on ESPN2.
UNLV is coming off a 31-21 loss at home to BYU last week to snap a two-game win streak. The Rebels are now 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the Mountain West. UNLV is 6-4 against the spread and they have covered in all four road games. The Rebels have a productive offense that averages 29.2 points and 426.7 yards per game, but the defense is allowing 32.3 points and 460.6 yards per contest. Lexington Thomas leads the offense with 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns while Armani Rogers has thrown for 1100 yards and rushed for 538. Rogers is questionable for tonight’s game due to a recent concussion.
New Mexico is on a five-game losing streak following a 55-14 loss at Texas A&M last week. The Lobos are now 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the Mountain West. New Mexico is 4-6 against the spread this season and 2-3 ATS at home. New Mexico hasn’t been great on either side of the ball. The Lobos are allowing 30.9 points and 377.9 yards per game while putting up 20.3 points and 358.3 yards per contest. An injury to Tevaka Tuioti puts Lamar Jordan in at QB again. He has thrown for 593 yards with three touchdowns and five INTs this year. New Mexico is also without second-leading rusher, Richard McQuarley, due to a leg injury. Tyrone Owens, who has 579 yards on the ground, will see an increase in work.
Both teams have had down moments, but UNLV seems to be a stronger team on the road and more consistent at putting up points. While its defense has struggled, I expect the Rebels to have some success on that end due to the injury issues New Mexico is having. The Lobos are in a real funk right now and I don’t see themselves pulling out of it tonight against this dynamic UNLV offense.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: UNLV -2.5