Kansas at UNLV Prediction
The Kansas Jayhawks and the UNLV Rebels will meet in Phoenix for this year’s Guaranteed Rate Bowl this Tuesday from Chase Field on ESPN. KU enters as 13.5-point favorites, with the total currently hovering 67.5. Stay tuned for our Kansas vs UNLV prediction.
Kansas Jayhawks Preview
Kansas finished at 8-4 after defeating Cincinnati on the road, 49-16. The Jayhawks didn’t hold back in their first Big 12 battle with the Bearcats, and they’ll look to close the campaign strong here in the desert. The Kansas offense is scoring 25.7 ppg, while passing for 222.7 ypg, rushing for 211.3 ypg, and converting 48.1% of their third downs.
Kansas Team Notes
- Jason Bean played very well in Cincinnati, going 13/17 for 250 yards, dashing for 90 more on the ground, while totaling four total touchdowns (2 pass, 2 rush). The veteran QB has stepped in very well for Jalon Daniels again down the stretch this season, and he may be one of the more coveted pieces in the transfer portal this summer if he elects to spend his final season elsewhere. Bean has passed for 1,681 yards with 12 touchdowns to four interceptions thru nine games.
- Lawrence native Devin Neal has been a big part of KU’s success this season, and after scoring multiple times in three of the final four games, he finished with team-leads of 1,209!47/)8’t yards and 15 touchdowns.
- Junior wideout Lawrence Arnold leads KU in receptions (38) and receiving yards (650).
- The KU defense has allowed 25.7 points per game.
UNLV Rebels Preview
UNLV wrapped up at 9-4 after falling to Boise State in the Mountain West title game, The Rebels snuck into the conference championship with a 9-4 record in the Mountain West standings but served as no match for the Broncos, and they’ll attempt to close on a higher note here against KU. The UNLV offense is scoring 36.0 ppg, while passing for 235.2 ypg, rushing for 179.5 ypg, and converting 50% of their third downs.
UNLV Team Notes
- Jayden Maiava struggled in the loss to Boise, only going 15/29 for 166 yards, with a pair of interceptions. The freshman, hometown product enjoyed a solid first season behind center, and he’ll look to bring even more momentum into the 2024 season with a solid showing here. Maiava has thrown for 2,794 yards, with 14 touchdowns to eight interceptions thru 13 starts.
- Pitt transfer Vincent Davis Jr. scored in the title game loss to Boise State, and he finished as UNLV’s leading rusher with 722 yards on 132 carries.
- Marietta native Ricky White had a big junior season, and after surpassing the 110-yard mark in five of the final six games, he leads the Rebels in receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,386).
- The UNLV defense has allowed 27.0 points per game.
Kansas vs UNLV Trends
- KU is 7-5 against the spread, with a 6-6 O/U record.
- UNLV is 10-3 ATS, with a 8-5 over/under record.
Kansas vs UNLV Prediction
Two physical programs will take the field this Tuesday in Phoenix, and after closing the regular season with such a lopsided victory, it’s hard to look away from Lance Leipold’s squad. Kansas enjoyed a solid season that included a spoiler win over a then-undefeated Oklahoma team, and despite a pair of one-score losses down the stretch, they ended the season with a statement in Cincy. UNLV dropped their last two games, and while they did find success in the respectable Mountain West Conference, their matchup with Boise was tale-telling, and I think KU will have their number here. Let’s back Kansas to leave the desert with a two-score victory this Tuesday, and with the magic number sitting a bit high, the Under deserves a look here as well. In case you prefer parlays over single bets, you can use this pick in a parlay.
