Season 1-0 +5 units
This is basically an unattractive wagering prospect made bettable because of its time. So, knowing that most action hounds will want to play this game, let's take a look.
Tennessee is the big name, big game school. And for those that worship the SEC, no reason to read any further. For the last few years the Vol offense has not been overly impressive as they seek a reasonably balanced game but continue to try to pound the ball when the defense allows it. But their running game has sputtered below its previous levels in the last few years. Clausen is gone and a new QB will start, hardly a positive here. And Florida is in the on deck circle. 3 new starters will be on the offensive line. 3 of last year's starters in the secondary are also gone. Their kicking game looks solid. What disturbs me about Tenn is their poor home record vs. the spread. And unless you are an SEC whore and only care about a win and not the spread, you won't be thrilled with a team that has gone 2-4, 2-5, 2-5 ats at home the last 3 years. 53 letterman return with 9 of 22 starters among them.
On the other hand, this could be a make it or break it season for the venerable John Robinson. The Rebels play in the substantially weaker Mountain West Conference. 13 starters are returning and 45 letterman. Let's see what they have.
Last year the UNLV offense was not very productive. Bruce Snyder was brought in to beef up the scoring. The averageQB from last year returns, but that isn't the strength of the Rebels. Once again Vegas has a fair share of good running backs and Earvin Johnson, while not Magic, is a top notch receiver. The offense should be improved. Defense is where the Rebels should be strongest this year. They are deep and talented. The linebacking corps returns in whole and can only be better. Last year was their first in a 3-4 so improvement will show here too. The kicking game should be as good as the Vols. The Rebels were 4-2 SU on the road and 4-2 as dog last year and 3-2 ats OOC. Last year Tenn was 2-5 ats at home; 4-5 ats as fav; 1-4 ats against OOC teams.
Bottom line to me is that I believe the UNLV defense will be strong enough to make +17 a play. The Rebels are better than average ats on the road and the Vols are not impressive in their ats record. The Rebels have a decent defense and unless the new Tenn QB is a surprise, I don't see the Vols scoring a lot of points. The UNLV offense should be able to put up 10 or more without any unusual breaks. I think that could be enough.
Playing - UNLV +17 2 units
This is basically an unattractive wagering prospect made bettable because of its time. So, knowing that most action hounds will want to play this game, let's take a look.
Tennessee is the big name, big game school. And for those that worship the SEC, no reason to read any further. For the last few years the Vol offense has not been overly impressive as they seek a reasonably balanced game but continue to try to pound the ball when the defense allows it. But their running game has sputtered below its previous levels in the last few years. Clausen is gone and a new QB will start, hardly a positive here. And Florida is in the on deck circle. 3 new starters will be on the offensive line. 3 of last year's starters in the secondary are also gone. Their kicking game looks solid. What disturbs me about Tenn is their poor home record vs. the spread. And unless you are an SEC whore and only care about a win and not the spread, you won't be thrilled with a team that has gone 2-4, 2-5, 2-5 ats at home the last 3 years. 53 letterman return with 9 of 22 starters among them.
On the other hand, this could be a make it or break it season for the venerable John Robinson. The Rebels play in the substantially weaker Mountain West Conference. 13 starters are returning and 45 letterman. Let's see what they have.
Last year the UNLV offense was not very productive. Bruce Snyder was brought in to beef up the scoring. The averageQB from last year returns, but that isn't the strength of the Rebels. Once again Vegas has a fair share of good running backs and Earvin Johnson, while not Magic, is a top notch receiver. The offense should be improved. Defense is where the Rebels should be strongest this year. They are deep and talented. The linebacking corps returns in whole and can only be better. Last year was their first in a 3-4 so improvement will show here too. The kicking game should be as good as the Vols. The Rebels were 4-2 SU on the road and 4-2 as dog last year and 3-2 ats OOC. Last year Tenn was 2-5 ats at home; 4-5 ats as fav; 1-4 ats against OOC teams.
Bottom line to me is that I believe the UNLV defense will be strong enough to make +17 a play. The Rebels are better than average ats on the road and the Vols are not impressive in their ats record. The Rebels have a decent defense and unless the new Tenn QB is a surprise, I don't see the Vols scoring a lot of points. The UNLV offense should be able to put up 10 or more without any unusual breaks. I think that could be enough.
Playing - UNLV +17 2 units
