- UNLV is a -9.5 point favorite vs. Sam Houston St
- UNLV vs. Sam Houston State Total (Over/Under): 62.5 points
- TV Channel: CBSN
The UNLV (1-0) visit Shell Energy Stadium to take on the Sam Houston State (0-1) on Aug. 29 in Houston, TX. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30pm EDT.
UNLV is a betting favorite in Week 1, with the spread sitting at -9.5 (-110).
The UNLV vs. Sam Houston State Over/Under is 62.5 total points.
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UNLV vs. Sam Houston State Odds, Spread, Over/Under:
| Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline | |
| UNLV | -9.5 -110 | 62.5 -110 | -350 |
| Sam Houston State | +9.5 -110 | 62.5 -110 | +275 |
UNLV vs Sam Houston State Prediction:
The winning team model predicts UNLV will win this game with 75.7% confidence, based on game simulations, offensive & defensive matchups and recent game results.
This winning team prediction factors in up-to-date player injuries for both UNLV and Sam Houston St, key player performances this season and recent team trends.
UNLV vs Sam Houston State Spread Prediction:
Based on recent against-the-spread trends, the model predicts UNLV will cover the spread with 63.5% confidence.
This prediction against the spread factors in ATS performances for both teams, opening and current betting lines plus public and sharp money already wagered on this matchup.
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UNLV Best Bets & Trends for ATS, Moneyline & Totals
- UNLV has hit the Moneyline in 11 of their last 14 games (+9.05 Units / 11% ROI)
- UNLV has hit the 1H Game Total Under in their last 3 away games (+3.00 Units / 91% ROI)
- UNLV has hit the Game Total Under in 5 of their last 7 away games (+2.80 Units / 36% ROI)
- UNLV has hit the 1Q Game Total Under in 5 of their last 7 away games (+2.70 Units / 34% ROI)
- UNLV has hit the 1Q Moneyline in 5 of their last 7 games (+2.65 Units / 17% ROI)
Sam Houston State Best Bets & Trends for ATS, Moneyline & Totals
- Sam Houston has hit the Moneyline in 10 of their last 14 games (+10.40 Units / 26% ROI)
- Sam Houston has hit the 1Q Game Total Under in 9 of their last 13 games (+4.40 Units / 29% ROI)
- Sam Houston State has hit the 1H Game Total Over in 5 of their last 6 games at home (+3.85 Units / 56% ROI)
- Sam Houston has hit the Game Total Under in 9 of their last 14 games (+3.50 Units / 23% ROI)
- Sam Houston State have covered the Spread in 5 of their last 7 games at home (+2.80 Units / 36% ROI)
UNLV: Keys to the Game vs. Sam Houston State
UNLV was 8-1 (.889) when intercepting at least 1 pass in the 2024 season– T-5th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .644
UNLV was 11-2 (.846) when converting 55% or more of its red zone chances into touchdowns in the 2024 season– T-7th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .586
UNLV is 14-8 (.636) when the opposing team rushes more than 30 times since the 2023 season– T-6th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .402
UNLV is 12-7 (.632) when having a turnover margin within one of the opposing team since the 2023 season– 13th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .476
Sam Houston State: Keys to the Game vs. UNLV
Sam Houston was undefeated (9-0) when allowing less than 50% of third down conversion opportunities in the 2024 season– T-best in FBS; Average: .602
Sam Houston was 7-2 (.778) when sacking the QB less than 3 times in the 2024 season– 4th-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .392
Sam Houston was undefeated (9-0) when intercepting at least 1 pass in the 2024 season– T-best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .644
Sam Houston was undefeated (9-0) when allowing less than 50% of third down conversion opportunities in the 2024 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: .553
Matchup Notes for UNLV vs. Sam Houston State
Sam Houston’s RBs averaged just 6.6 yards after the catch last season — T-29th-worst among FBS RBs. UNLV’s defense allowed just 6.1 RAC to RBs last season — T-21st-best among FBS defenses.
Sam Houston’s RBs gained 230 yards on 35 receptions (just 6.6 YPR) last season — T-28th-worst among FBS RBs. UNLV’s defense allowed just 11.2 Yards Per Reception last season — T-34th-best among FBS defenses.
Sam Houston’s RBs rushed for 1,331 yards on 293 carries (just 4.5 YPC) last season — T-25th-worst among FBS RBs. UNLV’s defense allowed just 3.5 YPC last season — T-18th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV’s offense threw for 2,417 passing yards in 14 games (just 172.6 YPG) last season — 15th-worst among FBS offenses. Sam Houston’s defense allowed just 177.0 passing yards per game last season — 13th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV’s QBs threw for 2,323 passing yards in 14 games (just 165.9 YPG) last season — 13th-worst among FBS teams. Sam Houston’s defense allowed just 177.0 passing yards per game last season — 13th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV had just 168.9 receiving yards per game last season — 15th-worst among FBS skill players. Sam Houston’s defense allowed just 177.0 receiving yards per game last season — 13th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV Offensive Stats & Trends
UNLV’s offense threw for 2,417 passing yards in 14 games (just 172.6 YPG) last season — 15th-worst among FBS offenses. Sam Houston’s defense allowed just 177.0 passing yards per game last season — 13th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV’s QBs threw for 2,323 passing yards in 14 games (just 165.9 YPG) last season — 13th-worst among FBS teams. Sam Houston’s defense allowed just 177.0 passing yards per game last season — 13th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV had just 168.9 receiving yards per game last season — 15th-worst among FBS skill players. Sam Houston’s defense allowed just 177.0 receiving yards per game last season — 13th-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV were sacked on 16% of pass attempts (7/45) in the 4th quarter in the 2024 season– 5th-worst among FBS Offenses; Average: 7%
UNLV RBs averaged 6.0 Yards per Carry (2,169 yards/364 carries) in the 2024 season– T-11th-best among FBS Teams; Average: 5.1
Sam Houston State Offensive Stats & Trends
Sam Houston RBs have averaged 3.3 yards from scrimmage per touch (525 yards / 160 touches) in the 4th quarter since the 2023 season– 2nd-worst among FBS Teams; Average: 5.4
Sam Houston TEs had no touchdowns on 15 receptions in the 2024 season– T-worst Receptions Per TD among FBS Teams; Average: 9.6
Sam Houston WRs have averaged just 10.8 yards per reception (3,567 yards/331 catches) since the 2023 season– worst among FBS Teams; Average: 13.3
Sam Houston RBs have averaged just 3.4 Yards per Carry (453 yards/135 carries) in the 4th quarter since the 2023 season– 4th-worst among FBS Teams; Average: 5.1
Sam Houston’s RBs averaged just 6.6 yards after the catch last season — T-29th-worst among FBS RBs. UNLV’s defense allowed just 6.1 RAC to RBs last season — T-21st-best among FBS defenses.
UNLV Defensive Stats & Trends
UNLV has allowed 112 receptions for 20+ yards since the 2023 season– T-3rd-most in FBS
UNLV allowed passes of 20+ yards on 67 of 398 attempts (17%) in the 2023 season– 2nd-best in FBS; Average: 10%
UNLV defense has allowed 112 completions for 20 or more yards since the 2023 season– T-3rd-most in FBS
UNLV allowed passes of 40+ yards on 21 of 398 attempts (5%) in the 2023 season– 3rd-worst in FBS; Average: 2%
UNLV allowed passes of 40+ yards on 21 of 398 attempts (5%) in the 2023 season– 2nd-worst among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 3%
Sam Houston State Defensive Stats & Trends
Sam Houston opponents averaged 13.5 Passing Attempts per TD (27 Pass Attempts/2 Passing TDs) in the Red Zone in the 2023 season– best in FBS; Average: 3.8
Sam Houston opponents averaged 13.5 Passing Attempts per TD (27 Pass Attempts/2 Passing TDs) in the Red Zone in the 2023 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 3.8
Sam Houston allowed a Completion Pct of just 39% (24 completions/61 attempts) on 3rd and long in the 2024 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 55%
Sam Houston allowed a Completion Pct of just 39% (24 completions/61 attempts) on 3rd and long in the 2024 season– best in FBS; Average: 54%
Sam Houston allowed opponents to rush for 20+ yards on just 5 of their 475 carries (1%) in the 2024 season– best among Non-Power Conference Teams; Average: 4%
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