Rob Veno

THE PLAY: UNLV Total Over 35.5 (+105)

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(165) UNLV at (166) Sam Houston St  (Game Analysis Below)  

Play Rating: FREE

Play Type: Full Game Team Total

Play: UNLV Total Over 35.5 (+105)

Date/Time: Aug 29, 2025 9:30 PM 

Line Provider: Consensus Line

U.N.L.V @ Sam Houston State

Veteran 1st year HC’s Dan Mullen (UNLV) & Phil Longo (Sam Houston State)

Each implementing new systems – Mullen RPO w/QB run / Longo pass oriented “Air Raid”

Sam Houston defense was absolutely torched for 506 total yards by Western Kentucky LW

You could say the good news is SHSU defended the run well…only allowed 125 true rushing yards on 33 attempts (3.8 ypc allowed) BUT…

Western Kentucky is a pass happy “Air Raid” that doesn’t have the same RPO-QB run principles that UNLV does so they haven’t faced this style yet AND  

UNLV ran 41 times last week for 311 yards against Idaho State (7.6 per carry) with starting QB Anthony Colandrea (ex-UVA) gaining 93 yards on 10 attempts (9.3 true rushing avg)

The Sam Houston State defense had an extremely difficult time getting off the field last week allowing WKU 86 total plays & 58% 3rd down conversions (11/19)

UNLV may be able to go somewhat “vanilla again (play calling LW 44 run & 24 pass – 64.7%), move the football effectively…AND

Not show much to UCLA who’s on deck for them next week

Rebels had their own defensive problems last week vs potent FCS Idaho State attack – 

They gave up: 30 first downs / 555 total yards (395 passing / 160 rushing) / 5 drives of between 67-81 yards + 1 of 50

The 395 passing is alarming in this matchup vs Bearkats “Air Raid” 

UNLV avoided an outright loss by getting 4 interceptions and 2 turnovers on downs 

They turned 3 of those 6 turnovers into 17 points but on 2 others their FG kicker missed from just 30 & 41 yards out

The other stop was a pick with Idaho State on UNLV’s 3 yard line

Final Look

Largest improvements by CFB teams are said to be made from Game #1 to Game 2

Sam Houston’s point total from last week (24) included a fumble return for TD & a 55 yard run by QB Hunter Watson who actually led the team with 14 carries

Still they could only generate 14 first downs and 17 points offensively against a totally depleted Western Kentucky defense with 6 new starters in their front 7

Nevada Las Vegas defense is also completely revamped with transfers after losses due to  graduation, the transfer portal and players following former HC Barry Odom to Pudue 

Sam Houston is in their home opener but their offense had 6 punts, 3 TOD’s, an interception & a missed 42 yd FG on 11 of their 14 drives

Despite the shoddy defense displayed by UNLV last week hard to trust SHSU to score a bunch 

Siding with what looks to be the most favorable matchup and that’s the UNLV offense vs the Sam Houston which should see them  37+ points

PLAY: UNLV Team Total OVER 35.5