UNLV vs. Houston Odds
| UNLV Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -115 | 55.5 -118 / -104 | +135 |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -105 | 55.5 -118 / -104 | -160 |
One of the more interesting matchups in Week 1 takes place in Houston when the Cougars host the UNLV Rebels on Saturday night.
UNLV is looking to win the Mountain West after an appearance in last year's championship game, while Houston hopes to regroup after a 4-8 season and a coaching change.
Most Week 1 games feature severe talent discrepancies, but this matchup is a lot more even. With that in mind, let's dive into the UNLV vs. Houston odds and make a prediction.
UNLV vs. Houston Prediction
- UNLV vs. Houston Prediction & Pick: UNLV +2.5
My College Football Week 1 UNLV vs. Houston best bet is the Rebels on the spread with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
UNLV vs. Houston Preview
UNLV Betting Preview: Running the Go-Go
Year 2 of the Barry Odom era looks promising for UNLV after a trip to the Mountain West Championship last season. Despite losing quarterback Jayden Maiava to USC, the Rebels retained offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and his unique Go-Go offense.
The Go-Go offense is a high-flying attack that incorporates tons of pre-snap motion, RPOs and zone-read options. It's a lot for opposing defenses to handle, and it led UNLV to score 34.4 points per game in 2023.
With Maiava out of the picture, Marion has to choose a starter from three different quarterbacks. Returning senior Cameron Friel, Campbell transfer Hajj-Malik Williams and Holy Cross transfer Matthew Sluka are all in the mix for the starting QB job.
Each have their own strengths and weaknesses, but they'll at least be able to target explosive wideout Ricky White, who had 1,483 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season.
The Rebels' defense won't be on the same level of their offense, but it's still a solid unit. Linebacker Jackson Woodard returns after a team-leading 116 total tackles, along with 2023 second-team all-Mountain West performers in defensive end Jalen Dixon and defensive back Cameron Oliver (five interceptions in 2023).
UNLV also brings in Arkansas transfer safety Jalen Catalon.
Houston Betting Preview: Willie Fritz Steps In
Houston enters this game with all sorts of unknowns. For one, this is the first season under new head coach Willie Fritz, and while we know Fritz is a proven winner, there will still be some learning curves for the Cougars with a new head coach.
Quarterback Donovan Smith is one of the few constants on this team since so many contributors left in the transfer portal. Smith threw for 2,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season, while also recording 428 rushing yards and six scores.
He'll likely have to do a lot of running this season with Houston replacing four offensive line starters.
It also doesn't help that the Cougars' top receiver Sam Brown (815 yards, three TDs) transferred to Miami after spring ball. Houston's third-leading receiver Matthew Golden also transferred out of the program, heading west to Texas.
The Cougars' defense got hit by the transfer portal as well. Defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell is off to Oregon after 6.5 sacks last year, linebacker Treylin Payne is now at Texas State and former starting cornerback Isaiah Hamilton left for Ole Miss.
It's hard to gauge how impactful these transfers really are because Houston's defense was already bad last year, allowing 31.5 points per game.
The Cougars do bring in some solid defensive transfers and return some starters, but it still looks like defense will be a challenge once again.
UNLV vs. Houston Pick & Prediction
UNLV is in a much more stable place as a program than Houston, and I expect that to show on the field.
I trust the Rebels' coaching staff to set up a good game plan for whoever starts at quarterback and for UNLV to move the ball effectively against an unproven Cougars defense.
Go with the Rebels to cover on the road in their season-opener.
Pick: UNLV +2.5 (Play to +3)
How to Watch UNLV vs. Houston Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Houston, TX |
| Date: | Saturday, Aug. 31 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FS1 |
