The UNLV Rebels (+7) are set to face off against their conference rival Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (-7) at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium. This showdown will kick off fairly late for fans on the East Coast (11:00 p.m. ET) and SPEC will broadcast the action.
UNLV Rebels at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Betting Preview
UNLV is projected to play the role of underdog and is currently getting 7 points in this MWC game. The Rebels are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Rainbow Warriors are -270. There should be some decent live betting opportunities during this game, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 68 points.
The game’s total has moved upward after originally being set at 66.5. The opening line (-7) has yet to change.
The disappointing Rebels have lost 6.8 units so far in 2018 and are 5-5 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an Over-Under mark of 6-3. Despite a 3-7-1 record ATS, the surprising Rainbow Warriors have gained 11.5 units this season. The team six of its games have gone over the total.
The Rebels have gone 3-7 straight up (SU), including 1-5 SU against MWC opponents. The Rainbow Warriors are 6-5 SU overall and 3-3 SU in conference play.
The Rebels just got a 27-24 victory over San Diego State last week. The Rebels secondary allowed the Aztecs to air it out for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Offensively, Max Gilliam completed 16 passes for 237 yards, as well as one score and a pick. Lexington Thomas (133 rushing yards on 21 attempts, two TDs) led the running attack while Tyleek Collins (four receptions, 25 yards) and Darren Woods Jr. (four catches, 100 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Hawaii just lost a fairly brutal 56-17 game to Utah State back in Week 10. Cole McDonald completed 18-of-45 passes for 331 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. McDonald (17 rushing yards on nine attempts) spearheaded the running game while Marcus Armstrong-Brown (four receptions, 85 yards) and John Ursua (three catches, 78 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
UNLV has run the ball on 59.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Hawaii has an overall rush percentage of 43.6 percent. The Rebels have produced 225 rush yards per game (including 150 per game against Mountain West opponents) and have 19 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Rainbow Warriors are logging 121 rush yards per game (122 in conference) and have nine total rushing TDs.
Based on the numbers this season, it appears the Rebels could hold an advantage in terms of RB efficiency, as their running backs has logged 5.1 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 4.9 to opponents. The Rainbow Warriors have rushed for 4.0 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 5.0 to opponents.
The Rebels offense has averaged 173 yards through the air overall (227 per game against conference opposition) and has 19 passing scores so far. The Rainbow Warriors have produced 309 pass yards per contest (299.8 in the MWC) and have 35 total pass TDs.
UNLV has let opponents rush for an average of 199 yards and pass for 259 yards per game. The Hawaii defense has allowed 249.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.7 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Rebels have given up an ANY/A of 8.68 to opposing QBs, while the Rainbow Warriors are yielding an ANY/A of 8.41.
Offensively, Gilliam has amassed 1,258 passing yards this year, and has connected on 57 percent of his 184 attempts with 13 passing scores and seven interceptions. Gilliam has a 5.43 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.59 over the last two outings.
For the home team, Cole McDonald has completed 215-of-360 passes for 2,938 yards, 31 TDs and five INTs. McDonald’s ANY/A sits at 8.28 for the season and 6.10 over his past two games.
When these two teams met a year ago, UNLV earned the win 31-23.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: UNLV Rebels at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
SU Winner – Hawaii, ATS Winner – Hawaii, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Hawaii offense has lost seven fumbles this season while UNLV has lost six.
The Hawaii defense has sacked opposing QBs 23 times this season. UNLV has registered just 17 sacks.
UNLV has produced 4.7 yards per carry over its past three outings and 4.7 over its last two.
Hawaii has averaged 3.0 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.8 over its last two.
In its last three matchups, Hawaii is 0-3 ATS.
The Over/Under for UNLV’s last game was 52. The under cashed in the team’s 27-24 triumph over San Diego State.
Over its last three matchups, UNLV is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Hawaii’s previous outing was set at 73. The O/U pushed in that 56-17 loss to Utah State.
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