Boise State Broncos (7-5) vs. UNLV Rebels (9-3)
Boise State Broncos vs. UNLV Rebels 12/2/23 – The Boise State Broncos (7-5) take on the UNLV Rebels (9-3) in a Week 14 NCAAF matchup between Mountain West foes. This late-season showdown has major bowl implications, with both teams looking to finish strong and earn an attractive postseason destination. Our top NCAAF picks today will analyze the betting lines and team trends to offer insights into the likely outcome.
Boise State has bounced back after a rocky start, winning 4 of their last 5 games behind emerging sophomore quarterback Taylen Green. His dual-threat abilities have energized the offense, which features dynamic running back Ashton Jeanty and big-play wideout Eric McAlister. However, defensive lapses have plagued the Broncos at times.
Meanwhile, UNLV has been one of the surprise stories of the 2022 season. Third-year quarterback Jayden Maiava has taken a major step forward, utilizing weapons like running back Vincent Davis Jr. and receiver Ricky White to make the Rebels’ offense lethal. An improved defense has also contributed to UNLV’s success. At 9-3, they are having their best season in decades.
Boise State Broncos vs. UNLV Rebels Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 3:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Allegiant Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Taylen Green QB vs. Jayden Maiava QB
As a redshirt freshman, Taylen Green has flashed immense potential in his first year commanding the Broncos offense. In 9 appearances, he has thrown for over 1500 yards and 9 touchdowns while adding another 3 scores on the ground. His athleticism and cannon arm have enabled several explosive plays. However, Green is still raw, as evidenced by his 8 interceptions and just 55.3% completions. He will need to avoid mistakes against the disciplined UNLV defense.
Jayden Maiava has taken his game to another level as a junior, compiling an impressive 2628 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 152.2 passer rating. He has distributed the ball efficiently to his playmakers while limiting turnovers. Maiava’s accuracy (64% completions) and decision-making must continue against a Boise State pass defense ranked 38th nationally. His efficient orchestration of the Rebels’ uptempo offense will be critical on Saturday.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: UNLV Rebels +120, Total Odds: 59
The oddsmakers have tabbed the home-standing Rebels as narrow 1-point favorites, with the over/under set at 59 points. This indicates expectations of a tightly-contested shootout. UNLV carries strong 9-3 momentum, but Boise State’s offensive capabilities could allow them to keep pace. Our experts anticipate this game flying past the projected point total in what shapes up as a back-and-forth affair.
Boise State Broncos Betting Trends
Boise State is 4-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 games. 7 of the Broncos’ last 10 games have exceeded the projected point total. Boise State has won 4 of their past 5 contests straight up. The Broncos are 14-3 straight up in their last 17 matchups against Mountain West opponents. These trends point to a confident team finishing the regular season strong. Boise State’s success against Mountain West foes suggests they will remain competitive against UNLV. The recent tendency for Broncos games to feature high scores is also noteworthy with an over/under line of 59 points.
UNLV Rebels Betting Trends
UNLV has covered the spread in 10 of their last 12 matchups. 7 of the Rebels’ previous 10 contests have gone over the set point total. UNLV has won 8 of their last 10 straight up. The Rebels are 6-1 straight up in their past 7 home games. The Rebels have been reliable from a betting perspective this season, consistently covering spreads behind a high-powered offense. UNLV’s dominance at Allegiant Stadium is also a key trend with home field advantage on Saturday. These numbers validate UNLV as narrow favorites.
Boise State Broncos vs. UNLV Rebels 12/2/23 Betting Picks
Our analysis shows an extremely competitive matchup that could go either way. However, UNLV’s explosive offense led by Jayden Maiava and their staunch home field advantage tips the scales in their favor according to our top-tier sports handicapping experts. The Broncos also struggle away from home, going just 1-4 straight up on the road this season.
With the Rebels favored by only 1 point, taking UNLV to cover the small spread seems advisable. The over also holds plenty of value given both teams’ penchant for high-scoring shootouts. We predict a 41-38 UNLV victory in a thriller that zooms past 59 total points. Bettors should expect fireworks in this pivotal Mountain West showdown with major bowl implications.
Free Pick and Prediction: UNLV Rebels 41, Boise State Broncos 38