Kansas (1-1) vs UNLV (2-0)
Game Info: Friday, September 13, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Children's Mercy Park)
The Line: Betting Odds: Kansas -6.5 / UNLV +6.5 — Over/Under: 60.5
The UNLV Rebels and the Kansas Jayhawks meet Friday in college football action from Children’s Mercy Park. Here’s a UNLV vs Kansas prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UNLV vs Kansas pick. We will examine:
The UNLV Rebels’ recent form and player performance
The Kansas Jayhawks’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UNLV Rebels
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Kansas Jayhawks
Recent betting trends in games played between UNLV and Kansas
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the UNLV vs Kansas game
UNLV Rebels Betting Preview
Back on August 31, the Rebels opened the season versus the Houston Cougars. UNLV scored in every quarter on the way to a 27-7 win. WB Matthew Sluka had 71 yards with two TDs, and Michael Allen led the rushers on 65 yards off 10 carries.
Last weekend versus Utah Tech, the Rebels scored 28 points in the first half and 21 more in the fourth during a 72-14 blowout win. Sluka had 161 yards with three scores this time. Greg Burrell was tops in rushing with 101 yards and a TD off 11 carries.
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
Over on the Kansas side, they opened with a formality versus Lindenwood. The Jayhawks had no issues in that one, ultimately bagging a 48-3 win. Jalon Daniels had 148 pass yards, one TD, and a pick. Devin Neal had 112 yards with two scores on the ground.
In their Saturday matchup versus Illinois, Kansas held a 17-13 lead going into the final quarter. The Jayhawks gave up 10 unanswered points from there during a shocking loss 23-17. Daniels had 141 yards, two scores and three interceptions. Neal was the lead rusher again with 14 carries for 101 yards.
Why the Kansas Jayhawks will win
- Kansas has won eight of its last nine September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UNLV has lost nine of its last 10 September games as a road underdog.
- Kansas has covered the spread in four of its last five September games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the UNLV Rebels will win
- UNLV has won eight of its last nine games in September.
- UNLV has covered the spread in 17 of its last 18 road games against non-conference opponents.
- Kansas has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games in September.
Total Points Facts
- Each of UNLV’s last four games in September has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of Kansas’ last five games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Kansas ranks T9th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (18.5).
- Kansas ranks T29th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.5).
- UNLV ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage this season (1.000).
- UNLV ranks T1st among FBS teams for H1 win percentage this season (1.000).
UNLV vs Kansas Prediction
I’ll go with Kansas this time. The Jayhawks had the wind knocked out of their sails by a plucky Illini team over the weekend, so they’ll need a good bounce-back effort. Kansas posted 327 yards (141 passing) and 18 first downs in the loss, but the real killer was the four turnovers (three interceptions). On defense the Jayhawks weren’t bad, giving up 271 total yards (192 passing) and 14 first downs.
As for UNLV, they tallied a nutty 504 rush yards (among 695 total) in their destruction of an overwhelmed Utah Tech team. The competition will obviously ramp up sharply this weekend, and I like Kansas to regain their senses in a motivated cover.