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BETS: Best Picks for UNLV vs. San Jose State

© Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
  • What: NCAA Football Regular Season Game
  • When: November 22, 2024
  • Who:  UNLV vs. San Jose State
  • Time:  7:00 p.m. PST
  • Where: CEFCU Stadium (San Jose, CA)

As the nation’s 23rd-ranked team, the UNLV Rebels (8-2, 4-1 Mountain West) are riding high into their final regular-season road game against the San Jose State Spartans (6-4, 3-3).

The Rebels are looking to win and make a statement. They have a chance to clinch their first Mountain West title in school history.

UNLV

First, let’s discuss the Rebels’ defense. Under Coach Barry Odom, UNLV has transformed into a formidable force on that side of the ball.

They’ve shown the ability to shut down opposing offenses, and that’s exactly what they’ll need to do against a San Jose State team that has struggled with consistency at quarterback.

The Spartans have had a revolving door under center this season, which has led to a lack of rhythm and cohesion in their passing game.

With the Rebels’ defensive line applying pressure and their secondary ready to capitalize on any mistakes, expect them to disrupt San Jose State’s offensive flow.

On the flip side, UNLV’s offense is firing on all cylinders. Senior quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams is a dual-threat playmaker who can hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground.

He’s completing 64% of his passes for 1,436 yards and has thrown 14 touchdowns this season. But his legs make him a nightmare for defenses. He leads the team with 646 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

In their last game against San Diego State, Williams showcased his ability to dominate, throwing for 175 yards and rushing for another 122.

With a performance like that, he’s more than capable of leading the Rebels to a comfortable victory. The Rebels also boast a special teams unit that has been nothing short of spectacular this season.

Caden Chittenden leads all kickers in scoring with 109 points. This kind of depth and talent gives UNLV a significant edge.

They have a solid defense ready to stifle the Spartans’ offense and an explosive offense that can score at will, UNLV is set to pull away late in the game.

San Jose State

San Jose State has had a strong season, averaging 432.5 yards and 28 points per game. This year, they’ve used two quarterbacks: Walker Eget and Emmett Brown. Eget currently leads the team.

He has thrown for 1,758 yards, six touchdown passes, and eight interceptions, with a completion rate of 59.3%.

Among the receiving options, wideout Nick Nash stands out with an impressive 1,282 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns from 95 catches.

The ground attack has been uneven, with running back Floyd Chalk IV leading the rushing effort, tallying 596 yards and nine touchdowns on 117 carries.

Although the Spartans’ offense has shown improvement, they’ll face a significant challenge against the Rebels’ defense.

On the defensive side, San Jose State has struggled at times, surrendering an average of 25.9 points and 394 yards per game.

They rank in the middle tier in defending against both the pass and the run, allowing 240.9 yards through the air and 153.1 yards on the ground.

UNLV shifted to Hajj-Malik Williams amid the tumult surrounding Matthew Sluka, and he has stepped up effectively. This matchup poses a considerable test for a Spartans defense lacking consistency.

Rebels-Spartans Best Bet

San Jose State is expected to be competitive, but their defense will need to make key stops. The Spartans’ offense has struggled, scoring 24 points or fewer in five straight games.

UNLV’s defense has also been strong, with three interceptions in the last two games and limiting opponents to 3.4 yards per carry in 2024, making it challenging for San Jose State’s run game, which is already weak.

As a result, the Spartans may have to rely on their passing game against a UNLV secondary that has allowed multiple passing touchdowns in four of the last six games.

Both teams boast solid run defenses, which may impact UNLV more significantly. The Rebels have had 40 or more rushing attempts in four of their last five games, while the Spartans allow just 3.7 yards per carry.

The weather forecast for Friday night at CEFCU Stadium predicts rain and wind. There is a 92% chance of precipitation, and wind speeds will be 9.6 to 10.5 mph.

We are in for a low-scoring game in ugly weather Friday night. Under 59.5 Points is the best bet in this one.

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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.

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