In a rematch of last season’s Guaranteed Rate Bowl, UNLV will take on Kansas under the Friday night lights at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas (7:00 pm ET, ESPN).
Last December 26, the Jayhawks and Rebels met in a bowl matchup in Phoenix. Thanks to 449 passing yards and six touchdown passes by Jason Bean, Kansas outlasted UNLV 49-36 to win a bowl game for the first time since the 2008 season.
Bean finished out the season as KU’s starting quarterback after Jalon Daniels went down with a season-ending injury four games into the season.
Daniels and the Jayhawks will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance in last Saturday’s 23-17 loss at Illinois. Daniels was picked off three times, all in Illini territory, and the offense failed to make the most of good field position several times.
UNLV, meanwhile, will be looking for a second straight road win over a Big 12 opponent, as they opened the season with a 27-7 win at Houston.
UNLV vs Kansas Betting Analysis
There were points aplenty when the Runnin’ Rebels and Jayhawks met in Phoenix, including 31 in a wild fourth quarter. After trailing 28-7 in the first half, UNLV tightened things up in the second half, but three fourth-quarter touchdown passes by Bean helped Kansas close out the victory.
Much fewer points are likely this time around, even if both teams have a good night offensively.
The Runnin’ Rebels had things rolling last Saturday in a 72-14 win over Utah Valley, racking up 695 total yards. Of those 695 yards, 504 were on the ground, while Ricky White III racked up 111 receiving yards and three touchdowns on five catches after a quiet opener against Houston.
While UNLV had a big day, Kansas severely sputtered and stuttered at Illinois.
Of Daniels’ three picks, two were in Illini territory, and the other went for a pick-six. Also, the Jayhawks turned it over on downs inside the 35 in the second quarter, and after scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the second half to go up 17-13, they went interception, punt, punt, fumble on their final four drives.
Those offensive struggles overrode a solid defensive performance by the Jayhawks, who allowed only 271 total yards, including just 79 on the ground in 34 attempts.
As a result, they dropped out of the rankings after entering the game 19th in the AP poll. Depending on how the season shakes out for KU, that loss could be significant for their hopes to contend for a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
UNLV also put in a strong shift defensively in their toughest game to date, allowing only 247 total yards against Houston—including 38 yards rushing on 26 attempts—and picking off Donovan Smith twice.
UNLV vs Kansas Prediction & Expert Picks
Speaking of the CFP, Friday’s game could be a big one for UNLV. The Runnin’ Rebels were picked second in the Mountain West preseason poll, and with at least one Group of Five champion assured of a CFP berth, a win over Kansas could be huge later in the season.
UNLV’s defense can trouble Daniels, but the Jayhawks can also do the same to UNLV QB Matthew Sluka, who is more renowned for his legs than his arm.
Both teams can put up some points, but the total is higher than it should be. The ground game will be key for both the Runnin’ Rebels and Jayhawks, which will chew up a lot of clock. And even if KU wins by a couple of scores, it likely won’t be a rout to the point that UNLV’s gameplan will be significantly altered until later in the game.
The Jayhawks should bounce back from last week’s loss, and the spread here looks enticing, though a late score may be needed for the cover.
UNLV vs Kansas Prediction: Kansas to win
UNLV vs Kansas Picks: 1) Kansas -7 2) UNLV/Kansas under 58
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