Arkansas State at UNLV NCAA Football Picks 9/7/2019

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Sam Boyd Stadium

Sam Boyd Stadium is the site where Max Gilliam and the UNLV Runnin' Rebels will take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Saturday. Arkansas State opens this game as 3-point favorites. The total has been set at 63.

In the last game they played, the Arkansas State Red Wolves played the SMU Mustangs and ended up taking the loss by a score of 37-30. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Red Wolves was Logan Bonner who went 32/50 with 324 yards via the pass and tossed 4 touchdowns. He threw 1 interception for this game. Marcel Murray led the team in rushing for that game. He had a long run of 20 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He rushed for 77 yards by way of 17 carries which meant he averaged 4.5 yards per run. Omar Bayless led the team in receiving yardage by earning 132 yards on 10 catches. He averaged 13.2 yards per reception for that game.

The Red Wolves head into this matchup 0-1 this season. This team is one of the more average teams in terms of scoring in the Sun Belt and I wouldn't expect things to change too much in this game. For total yardage, they rank 5th in the conference and 69th in D-1 with 414 yards. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, the Red Wolves have compiled a total of 4 passing touchdowns and 0 rushing TDs. In terms of scoring, they are one of the marginal teams in the country with an average of 30 points per contest, ranking them 74th in D-1. As a unit, they have an average of 90 rushing yards per contest which is 7th in the conference.

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The Red Wolves have one of the most lackluster defenses in the country allowing 37 points per contest, which has them at 7th in the conference and 107th in D-1. When it comes to yards on the ground, Arkansas State is giving up 148 yards per game ranking them 8th in the conference and 81st in Division 1. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.3 yards per rush which has them at 5th in the Sun Belt and 61st in Division 1 overall. In total, they have conceded 148 rushing yards through 1 game. When it comes to yards through the air, the Red Wolves have allowed 324 yards. Teams are completing 61.2% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 7.3 yards per try. They have conceded 0 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing TDs.

In their last game, the UNLV Runnin' Rebels faced the Southern Utah Thunderbirds and went home with the win by a score of 56-23. Running the show from under center for the Runnin' Rebels was Armani Rogers who went 11/17 with 144 yards via the pass and tossed 1 touchdown. He finished the game without throwing an interception. Charles Williams led the team in rushing in this contest. He tore off a long run of 29 yards and he ran for 3 touchdowns for this outing. He racked up a total of 143 yards on 15 carries which meant he was running for 9.5 yards per tote. Steve Jenkins led the team in receiving yardage by earning 57 yards on 3 catches. He notched an average of 19.0 yards per reception in this contest.

The Runnin' Rebels step onto the field holding a record of 1-0. UNLV has made teams game plan around their running game by averaging 331 yards per game, which has them at 11th in the nation. As a unit, they have a total of 331 yards rushing through 1 contest, so they'll look to continue their dominance on the ground to grind out wins. The Runnin' Rebels average 534 yards per contest overall which has them at 23rd in D-1 and 4th in the Mountain West. When looking at their ability to score points, the Runnin' Rebels sit in 1st in the MWC and 8th out of all the teams in the country with an average of 56 points per contest.

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The Runnin' Rebels are conceding 23 points per game ranking them 4th in the Mountain West and 67th in college football. When talking about points allowed, they have allowed 23 total points. In discussing yards on the ground, they are giving up 46 yards per contest which puts them at 17th in the country and 2nd in the MWC. This season, they have given up 46 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown. Their pass defense is one of the middling units in college football. They are allowing 295 passing yards per contest. For passing yards allowed per game, the Runnin' Rebels are currently ranked 6th in the conference. They have conceded 2 passing touchdowns for this year.

Who will win tonight's Red Wolves/Runnin' Rebels college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Red Wolves -3

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