UNLV

This will be mercifully short because I cannot get the meme generator to work, nor can I find any video of a 1987 SNL skit about studying at UNLV.  And so, I present a series of random facts:

1.  This is the first meeting between UNLV and Ohio State.  UNLV is coached by OSU backup QB Tate Martell's old high school coach, Tony Sanchez.  Sanchez was at Bishop Gorman High for Tate's Freshman and Sophomore years.

2.  The Rebels will be playing at 9:00 a.m. local time for them.  In the past decade they have only played a Noon ET kickoff once and that was in 2015 when they lost 7-28 to TTUN in Harbaugh's first year (The Wolverines were a 35 point favorite in that one).

3.  UNLV has the No. 4 Rushing Offense in the nation at 350.5 ypg.  Unlike Army, they do not run the triple option. They have a scrambling Redshirt FR QB named (1) Armani Rogers (who is also 6'5" 225), and a versatile RB (3) Lexington Thomas (5'9" 170).  They do not throw much as Rogers has attempted only 35 passes in 2 games.  When he throws it, it will most likely go to Sr. WR (83) Devante Boyd, who has 6 catches for 208 yards and 2 TDs.

4.  UNLV has no defense.  They are No. 114 in stopping the run, No. 90 in total defense, and No. 91 in scoring defense.  The DL does not pressure the oppositions QB, and they allow 43% conversions on 3rd down.  I should mention that so far UNLV lost to FCS Howard and defeated Idaho.  So you see the level of competition.

5.  UNLV does play ranked teams every year, so they won't be that fazed about coming to the Shoe.  They are, however,1-19 in their last 20 matchups with top 25 teams with those losses coming by an average of 25.5 ppg.

6.  Ohio State is favored by 40.5 with the over/under at 63.5.  Urban's Buckeye teams have been favored by 30+ 13 times since he arrived and are a not so impressive 4-9 ATS.  Twice Ohio State was favored by 40:  2013 v. Florida A&M (our 76-0 victory covered the 49.5 spread) and 2015 v. Hawai'i (we failed to cover the 41 point spread despite winning 38-0).

7.  Matthew and I will be at the game Saturday.  Matthew is 5-0 S/U & 4-1 ATS attending games while I'm 34-6 S/U (I haven't calculated my ATS impact). 

Prediction:  UNLV is not very good, but they have some talent.  Their coach is turning them around.  We played one dimensional Army last week and it's time to get back to someone more conventional.  Our offense is improving but still not firing on all cylinders.  Our defense still has work to do.  I think we run the ball more this week which will keep the clock moving and shorten the game, but we won't score as much as Vegas thinks we will.  UNLV will get a couple of scores and keep it comfortably within the spread.  So, take the 40.5 and bet the under.

Schaef Says:  Ohio State 45, UNLV 13   (2-1 S/U; 3-0 ATS so far this season).