{"id":118700,"date":"2024-09-12T16:10:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T23:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/?p=118700"},"modified":"2024-09-12T16:10:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T23:10:24","slug":"fbs-cfb-betting-lines-picks-predictions-mountain-west-week-3-rcrc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/fbs-cfb-betting-lines-picks-predictions-mountain-west-week-3-rcrc\/","title":{"rendered":"CFB Betting Lines: Picks & Predictions For Mountain West Teams In Week 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UNLV heads to Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday in search of its second Power Four upset of the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rebels opened the year with a 27-7 win over Houston thanks in large part to the offense racking up 195 rushing yards and the defense forcing three turnovers. They kept the ball rolling last weekend with a program-record 695 yards of offense in a 72-14 win over Utah Tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNLV will face one of the most experienced teams in the country at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.<\/a> Kansas\u2019 roster includes 30 seniors, who have combined to make 450 starts. The game is a rematch of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, which Kansas won 49-36.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka is sure to target star wide receiver Ricky White, who caught three touchdowns in the first quarter last weekend and finished the Rebels\u2019 historic performance with five catches for 111 yards. The Rebels\u2019 defense is led by preseason co-Mountain West<\/a> Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Woodard. The linebacker posted 11 tackles and three sacks against Houston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kansas is coming off a 23-17 loss to Illinois despite putting up 327 yards of offense compared to the Illini\u2019s 271. Running back Devin Neal racked up 101 rushing yards, crossing the century mark for the 14th time in his career. Quarterback Jalon Daniels threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UNLV vs. Kansas Betting Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kansas is a 8.5-point college football betting<\/a> favorite, and the Over\/Under is 58.5 points. UNLV is 6-14 against the spread in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road. Kansas is 13-7 ATS in its past 20 games as a favorite at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNLV vs. Kansas Pick\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I predict UNLV beats Kansas 34-28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White is a next-level talent and a nightmare to guard one-on-one. Sluka is a dual-threat quarterback who was a two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award at Holy Cross. The Rebels have the weapons on offense to match up with the Jayhawks, and UNLV has enough experience on defense to contain Neal and capitalize on any mistakes Kansas makes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rivalry Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Utah At Utah State<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to watch:<\/strong> 4:30 ET Saturday, CBS Sports Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betting line:<\/strong> Utah is an 18.5-point favorite, and the Over\/Under is 43.5 points. The Utes are 11-9 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite on the road, and they\u2019re 79-29-4 all-time in the Battle of the Brothers. Utah State is 4-16 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prediction:<\/strong> I predict Utah wins 42-14. It\u2019s the first time the rivals have played since 2015. Utes\u2019 quarterback Cam Rising is unlikely to play<\/a> after suffering a finger injury against Baylor last week, according to The Action Network\u2019s Brett McMurphy. That means Utah\u2019s offense will be entrusted to freshman Isaac Wilson, and they\u2019ll probably lean more on running back Micah Bernard, who posted 118 yards against Baylor. Rising\u2019s absence makes this one a little more interesting, but Utah State simply doesn\u2019t have the talent on defense to stay in the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado At Colorado State<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to watch:<\/strong> 7:30 ET Saturday, CBS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betting line: <\/strong>Colorado is a 7-point favorite, and the Over\/Under is 58.5 points. The Buffaloes are 14-6 against the spread in their past 20 games as the favorite on the road. They\u2019re 68-22-2 all-time in the Rocky Mountain Showdown, and they\u2019ve won six straight games in the rivalry. Colorado State is 5-15 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prediction:<\/strong> I predict Colorado State wins 34-31 in the first Rocky Mountain Showdown played in Fort Collins since 1996. This game has all the makings of a track meet. Neither team has dominant offensive or defensive lines, but both are stacked with explosive players. Colorado\u2019s Travis Hunter might be the biggest matchup nightmare in the country no matter which side of the ball he\u2019s on. Colorado State has a few playmakers of its own, including wide receiver Tory Horton and running back Justin Marshall. Whoever has the ball last is probably going to win, and I think the Rams get their first win over the Buffalos since 2014. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Other Mountain West Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nevada At Minnesota<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to watch:<\/strong> 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Big Ten Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betting line:<\/strong> Minnesota is a 17.5-point favorite, and the Over\/Under is 43.5 points. The Gophers are 15-5 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite at home. Nevada is 8-12 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prediction:<\/strong> I predict Minnesota wins 35-10. It\u2019s been all but impossible to throw the ball against Minnesota in the first two weeks of the season. The Gophers limited North Carolina to 105 passing yards in the opener and held Rhode Island to 117 last week. Minnesota has also snagged four interceptions and held teams to an average of 193.5 yards of offense so far this season. Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis has been a pleasant surprise, but he likely won\u2019t be enough to power the Wolf Pack to a win. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Mexico At Auburn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to watch:<\/strong> 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betting line:<\/strong> Auburn is a 28-point favorite, and the Over\/Under is 60.5 points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prediction:<\/strong> I predict Auburn wins 56-14. The Tigers are reeling after last week\u2019s loss to Cal, and they\u2019re sure to take that pent up aggression out on the Lobos. Auburn is going to have to take much better care of the ball after quarterback Payton Thorne threw four interceptions last week, but the Tigers aren\u2019t likely to have major letdowns in back-to-back weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Force At Baylor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to watch:<\/strong> 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betting line: <\/strong>Baylor is a 16.5-point favorite, and the Over\/Under is 41.5 points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prediction:<\/strong> I predict Baylor wins 35-10. Air Force has enough experience on defense to force teams to work for their points, but the offense is in shambles, especially with fullback Dylan Carson dealing with an injury. The Falcons managed just 197 yards and seven points against San Jose State last week. Baylor is coming off an 11-point loss to Utah, but dual-threat quarterback Dequan Finn is athletic enough to give any defense fits. Expect the Bears to lean on him.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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