UNLV Rebels at Utah Utes, Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 4:00 pm, TV: The Mountain
Opening Line: Utah -21
Current Line: Utah -21
Opening Total: 54 1/2
Current Total: 54 1/2
Money Line: Utah -1300 / UNLV +850
Betting Odds take from Bookmaker Sportsbook, where the betting line originates.
UNLV travels to Salt Lake City to take on Utah for the last time as conference rivals. Next year the Utes leave the Mountain West to join the Pac-10. Last week the Utes won in overtime against Big East power Pittsburgh 27-24. UNLV lost to Wisconsin 41-21 but did get bettors a back door cover or push depending on what line you bet. Utah has pretty much owned UNLV since they became conference rivals in the mid-’90’s, but UNLV did upset the Utes the last time they played in Salt Lake City. The Rebels would love to upset Utah and give them a nice going away present.
As mentioned, UNLV lost at home last week to Wisconsin. Some might look at the finals score and think UNLV hung tough but were simply overmatched by a powerful Badger team. The game wasn’t nearly as close as the score indicated. Two of the Rebels’ touchdowns came off Badger turnovers, and the third occurred late in the game when the Badgers had the game well in hand. The Rebels platooned quarterbacks Mike Clausen and Omar Clayton. Neither performed that well in coach Bobby Hauck’s debut as UNLV coach, but both threw a touchdown pass. The Rebels running game wasn’t that productive either, as they only had 112 yards on the ground. The Rebels only had 217 total yards for the whole game. The offense will have to drastically improve if the Rebels hope to have any chance against the powerful Utes. The Rebels defense was destroyed by the Badgers for 475 total yards, including 278 yards on the ground. Both John Clay and Montee Ball both scored 2 touchdowns each. Like the offense, the defense will have to be much better for the Rebels to even compete against Utah.
The Utes vaulted into the top 25 with a victory last week against Pitt. Quarterback Jordan Wynn torched the Panthers for 283 yards and 3 touchdown passes and only one pick. He injured his thumb and could be a game time decision. it might be something to keep an eye on. Terrance Cain will take the snaps if Wynn can’t go. The Utes weren’t as effective on the ground gaining only 122 yards. The Utes also turned the ball over three times, which might not matter against UNLV as Wisconsin proved. On defense the Utes only gave up 266 total yards, and forced two turnovers of their own. The Utes did a good job of containing talented running back Dion Lewis, holding him to 75 yards and 1 touchdown. They also did a good job against the pass holding the Panthers to 184 yards. Only the Utes’ turnovers kept the Panthers in the game.
The weather will not be a factor as it is expected to be 80 degrees and sunny. Bettors should keep an eye on the Jordan Wynn situation, but it might not matter against the Rebels. We are coming off a 4-1 Saturday and will look to continue the winning this Saturday with 5 college football picks. Check out Maddux’s weekly college football picks package and be on the right side of the games today.
