:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61227653/usa_today_11174684.0.jpg)
Who: UNLV (0-1) Vs. UTEP (0-1)
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Saturday 9/8 7:00 PM MST
Opening Line: UNLV opens this game as 23.5 point favorites
Matchup:
UNLV is coming into this game as a clear favorite to win. Getting home field advantage for the first time of the season against a less than impressive UTEP team will bode well for the Rebels in this matchup. UTEP was blown out in their first game by Northern Arizona University on their home field in what was a very poor week one showing. UNLV on the other hand played impressively in their opening loss to USC. Quarterback Armani Rodgers threw two touchdowns against the Trojans stacked defense and will likely be able to throw with much more ease against UTEP.
Possible Outcomes:
This game should be an easy win for the Rebels and likely will be, but in football anything can happen. If UNLV comes out slowly and doesn’t take UTEP seriously the Minors could shock the Rebels by going up early. UNLV is the more talented team in almost every position and should be able to handle UTEP on both sides of the football. If the Rebel’s get themselves into a hole early it could be hard for them to get out of it in the second half.
What I think Will Happen:
UTEP is just too outmatched in this game to really throw anything the Rebels can’t handle. For UNLV’s defense it won’t be a difficult task to defend against the Minors run game and put pressure on the quarterback. UTEP has a young offensive line that won’t be effective against UNLV’s older and more athletic defensive line. Offensively, UNLV’s receivers are too fast and talented for UTEP’s defensive backs. With a stronger offensive line UNLV will be able to get the run game going and give Armani Rodgers plenty of time to throw the football. UNLV will carry the momentum they had from last week into this game and come out ready to play. This will be the first of three easily winnable games for UNLV before they open Mountain West play against New Mexico.
Score Prediction:
UNLV 42 UTEP 10