UNLV-San Jose State
Time: 5 PM ET
Spread: SJS -10
Total: 57
Betting Odds courtesy of Bookmaker
San Jose State and UNLV have both had their problems this year, but the two Mountain West Conference foes will square off in a matchup that the Spartans are favored by 10-points in according to college football oddsmakers.
UNLV has lost to Arizona, Northern Illinois, Houston and San Diego State this year, and has its lone victory over Northern Colorado. The Runnin Rebels defense has been horrendous, allowing 39.8 points per game, and its offense equally bad, scoring just 18.2 points per contest.
The Rebels pass attack is reasonably proficient, ranking 53rd in the nation in passing yardage (252.4 per game). Blake Decker is in his first NCAA season and has thrown already for 1,229 yards this season with a 54.4 percent completion ratio and 118.0 QB rating.
The 6’2” junior has thrown to Devonte Boyd and Devante Davis extensively, with both options having accounted for 571 yards on the season, and three TDs between them. Davis is questionable for this game, as he is nursing a wrist injury. Should he be unable to go, the Rebels have Maika Mataele and Kendal Keys in the stable, both of whom have 170-plus receiving yards on the season.
The Rebels’ backfield has been far more mediocre. Keith Whitely, George Naufahu and Shaquille Murray-Lawrence all average under five yards per carry. Decker has been reasonably successful, but still averages just 2.9 yards per rush. Decker has accounted for one of the five UNLV rushing TDs, while Murray-Lawrence has been good in the red zone, with two TDs on the season.
San Jose State won 42-10 over North Dakota on Aug 28, and it has all been downhill since that point, with three consecutive losses to then- No. 5 Auburn, Minnesota and Nevada. The Rebels are in just its second conference game, though, so all hope is not lost for the Spartans yet.
Thus far, few positives can be drawn from the season, but QB Blake Jurich has been accurate this season. He’s thrown 64.2 percent for completion and has more TDs (5) than INTs (4). None of the backfield options have been particularly effective, with leading rusher Jarrod Lawson averaging just 3.4 yards per carry on 33 attempts.
WR Tyler Winston has had the most success this season with 289 yards and 9.0 yards per reception. His 27-yard TD catch was one of his three team-leading receptions TDs this year.
TRENDS:
UNLV: 4-0 ATS in last 4 conf. games; 6-1-1 ATS in last 8 OCT games; UNDER 5-1 in last 6 following SU loss.
SJS: 0-4 ATS in last 4 home games vs teams with losing records; 8-1 ATS vs teams with a losing record; 1-5 ATS in last 6 after scoring less than 20 points in previous game.
