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    Fresno State vs. UNLV Prediction: Hajj-Malik Williams Makes Rebels Fans Forget Matthew Sluka With Crucial Win

    The Bulldogs and Rebels collide in Week 5 with conference and playoff implications, and our Fresno State vs. UNLV prediction forecasts the winner.

    The Rebels are 3-0. The Bulldogs are 3-1, with their only loss coming against Michigan in Week 1. Who will win in a battle for Mountain West supremacy?

    Check out the latest betting odds, spread analysis, and our Fresno State vs. UNLV prediction ahead of Saturday’s must-see matchup that will have all eyes on the Rebels following Matthew Sluka’s headline-making decision to not play again this year.

    Fresno State vs. UNLV Betting Preview

    All Fresno State vs. UNLV State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Wednesday, Sept. 25.

    • Spread
      UNLV -2
    • Moneyline
      UNLV -122, Fresno State +102
    • Over/Under
      48.5 points
    • Game time
      3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 28
    • Location
      Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Predicted Weather at Kick
      101 degrees, 7 mph winds, sunny
    • How To Watch
      FSI

     

    The news of multiple UNLV players opting to redshirt with a view to entering the transfer portal has had a significant impact on the Fresno State vs. UNLV odds. The Rebels are now just a two-point favorite, and that line may drop further — rightly or wrongly — as kickoff approaches.

    MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator

    UNLV is 3-0 straight up and against the spread this year, but the over has surprisingly hit just once with the “GO-GO-GO” offense roaming the sideline. In another trend toward the under in this matchup, the over is only 1-4 in Fresno State’s last five games.

    Prediction for Fresno State vs. UNLV

    UNLV’s offense is a mess for DFS. Last year, wide receiver Ricky White III was a points-scoring demon for anyone who had him in their fantasy or DFS lineup. So far this season the Rebels have relied more on the ground game, and that should continue as dual-threat Hajj-Malik Williams takes over the QB1 job.

    Meanwhile, there’s no such thing as an RB1 for Barry Odom’s team. Seven different players have double-digit carries, while four have over 100 rushing yards (two of those won’t play Saturday). Standout sophomore Jai’Den Thomas could be the main beneficiary, but anything could happen with Brennan Marion’s offense.

    MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor

    Speaking of the Bulldogs, if you want a piece of the offense, QB Mikey Keene and WR Mac Dalena are the go-tos. Keene is one of 26 FBS passers to surpass the 1,000-yard mark this season, with much of his production (18-431-3) going Dalena’s way.

    Of course, the Rebels know this and will do their best to limit the dynamic duo, but there is no completely stopping them. New QB1 Williams is impressive on the move, but he also holds the program record for passing yards and touchdowns at his previous stop. Expect UNLV to finally get going through the air and record their first 4-0 start to a season since 1984.

    Prediction: UNLV 33, Fresno State 24

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