UNLV vs. Memphis Game Preview: Key Players & Betting Tips
UNLV vs. Memphis showdown: Arnold & Mullen power UNLV on both ends. Don't miss the action as Kevin Walsh and Craig Mish give their betting predictions.
Video Transcript
The biggest game that we've yet to hit is late night.
It is UNLV against Memphis.
Let me get the latest numbers here for you all.
Even though we're obviously a ways away from kickoff.
We've got four and a half and some flat four out in the market as far as the side goes.
Your total's sitting pretty steadily at 56 and a half.
Now, the spread has moved around a little bit.
This was a bit lower, but I know, I think, some people might have clipped some Memphis five and a half.
This at one point I think was, you know, three and a half.
And I, I really like this UNLV team.
I think they're a really exciting bunch.
I think that Jaxson Arnold has found himself a real home here.
I think Jaxson Arnold is, is talented.
Obviously, it didn't really work out for him at either of his stops at the SEC.
That happens, right?
This is still a five-star level recruit who now comes in and is joined by arguably the best player in the whole conference in running back Jayden Thomas.
I think it gives this team just a silly offensive ceiling.
I think that Dan Mullen, who, you know, people weren't sure how it was gonna go, has, you know, earned a lot more, respect for this program and, you know, kind of for this team, even at a potential national level.
And I think they've got enough on the defensive side of the ball.
We talk about, you know, who's gonna sneak into that final college football playoff spot.
I think this could be the team.
I defensively think Jake Pope will be the star of the group, in that secondary.
He's got, you know, similar to Arnold, some, SEC experience under his belt.
And I really, really like what UNLV bring to the table.
This is a Memphis team who offensively So, you know, Memphis, again, like everybody, right?
Cleared out, you know, coaches changed and, and that's how it goes.
They bring in Charles Huff from Southern Miss.
So this is kind of a flip from what we're used to with Memphis.
High-flying, high-powered offense.
Defense, maybe not, right?
This is now a defensive first team.
Mm-hmm.
I, I can't get there though when it's just Southern Miss' defense.
Like Southern Miss was a solid defense last year.
Now they're here playing at, at, at a bit of a higher level.
I'm not as in offensively.
Marcus Stokes, who's an unknown from the D2 level, had a 40 total touchdown season.
It's exciting, but it's not a guarantee.
I just, I'm not as in on Memphis.
I like UNLV quite a bit.
The only thing I will just say kinda waiting for the market here is I think it's more likely that this goes down to three and a half than back up to five.
So I'm gonna be patient on betting UNLV, Craig.
But I like UNLV here in this spot against the Tigers.
So, very intriguing game tonight without a doubt.
I am-- I'm gonna turn this back over to you for a minute here because this is- Mm-hmm a per- a perplexing, question.
I'm gonna ask you two questions here, Kevin.
Mm-hmm.
Question number one: If UNLV loses tonight, are they out of the college football playoff?
Absolutely.
They are out.
I mean, absolutely.
They are out.
I- yeah.
I would, I would agree.
I would, I would agree.
Here's the second question for me in doing my research here today.
Now again, I, I think we are just as good in picking games as everybody else, and I think everybody else is just as good as picking games as us.
I'm not a huge guy in terms of like best handicappers out there or anything like that.
Everyone seems to be taking Memphis tonight, and I don't understand it.
Why?
What, what, what am I missing here?
It seems like UNLV on paper, at home, better quarterback, better offense, probably better talent.
And then I'm reminded that in a home opener on week zero on the standalone game on a, on a Saturday night, they're only four-and-a-half-point favorites.
So what, what is it?
What, what is the wackiness about this line, about this game and, about, about, you know, s- you know, specifically Dan Mullen, probably a superior coach to Huff too.
Like what, what, what is it- Mm-hmm w- why is everyone taking Memphis?
Or not everyone.
I, I take that back.
Why are a lot of people siding with Memphis tonight?
Y- yeah.
I, I don't think you're, I don't think you're reading, like, what people are doing i- incorrectly here.
There's clearly It's the reason why I just said, like, I'm not rushing to bet UNLV.
I think, you know, I'll, I'll have What I'll do is, 'cause sometimes I can get a little forgetful, Craig.
I'll put a little alarm on my phone, you know, for about 9:30 to remind myself, "Oh, go, go, go bet UNLV."
Um- Right the, the, you know, the, the why I think is power ratings have changed a lot.
The process has become a lot more difficult because of all of the turnover at these programs year over year over year.
And you can end up with a lot of people thinking that this should just be a much shorter line than it necessarily is.
Maybe they feel that the home field advantage is being a little bit inflated here.
This game is at Allegiant Stadium.
It is in Las Vegas.
I, I think that that is a nice spot, for the Rebels as well.
