Barry Odom has quickly made a positive impact on the UNLV football program since his appointment as head coach before last season. Previously serving as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas, Odom stepped in during a challenging period for the Rebels, who were coming off nine consecutive losing seasons with three different head coaches. Under Odom’s leadership, UNLV finished last year with a 9-5 record, and this season, the Rebels have started strong at 4-0, achieving a ranking in the AP Top 25 for the first time in the school’s history. They are set to face Syracuse (3-1) on Friday in a non-conference matchup.
The game will kick off at 9 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Initially opening as 4-point favorites, UNLV has since moved to a 6-point edge according to the latest betting odds, while the over/under is set at 55.5 points. Before placing any bets on the game, it’s advisable to check the predictions and betting insights from the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each FBS college football game 10,000 times and has a strong track record.
Syracuse is looking to build on its momentum after a convincing 42-14 victory over Holy Cross last week, though they have struggled against the spread this season with a 1-3 record. The Orange, under new head coach Fran Brown, are off to a solid start, largely due to the transfer of quarterback Kyle McCord from Ohio State. McCord has been impressive, throwing for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, and he has continued that success with a strong passing game this year.
Syracuse is heavily reliant on the passing attack, throwing on 63.8% of their plays, which is among the highest in the nation. The team is averaging 358 passing yards per game, with McCord throwing for over 330 yards in all four games so far. On defense, Syracuse has allowed only 5.8 yards per pass attempt and has made at least one interception in three of their four games.
For UNLV, this season marks their first entry into the AP Top 25, and they are looking to maintain their momentum despite some off-field issues with quarterback Matthew Sluka. In his absence, Hajj-Malik Williams took the helm, leading the team to a significant 59-14 victory against Fresno State, showcasing the team’s depth and offensive firepower. Senior wide receiver Ricky White III has been a standout player, leading the team with significant stats in receptions and touchdowns.
As they prepare for the upcoming game, SportsLine’s model has projected a total of 54 points, leaning towards the under for the combined score. The model is also confident in one side of the spread hitting well over 50% of the time. For in-depth predictions and insights, it’s recommended to visit SportsLine for the latest updates.