UNLV vs. Ohio Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for Frisco Bowl
The UNLV Rebels turned in a great season, and will look for one last victory in the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl on Tuesday night. Can they take down Parker Navarro and the Bobcats without their head coach? Peter Alexis analyzes the opt-outs and injuries ahead of this Frisco Bowl on Tuesday, December 23rd.
Peter Alexis - December 23, 2025, 6:30 PM EST
5 Minute ReadUNLV vs. Ohio Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl on Tuesday, December 23rd
The final game of Tuesday’s three bowl-game slate takes us to Frisco, Texas, where the 10-3 UNLV Rebels look to close a breakthrough season against the Ohio Bobcats in the Scooters Coffee Frisco Bowl. UNLV enters this matchup off a narrow loss to Boise State in the Mountain West Championship, while Ohio arrives with plenty of uncertainty after a turbulent end to its season off the field. The Rebels are listed as 6.5-point favorites at kickoff, with a massive total of 64.5 reflecting the offensive firepower on both sidelines.
Ohio’s story is complicated. Veteran quarterback Parker Navarro will suit up for his final collegiate game, but he will do so without head coach Brian Smith, who was fired following an investigation into professional misconduct. Defensive coordinator John Hauser steps in as interim head coach, and while the locker room appears intact, bowl games are often where leadership and structure matter most. UNLV, by contrast, has stability, momentum, and one of the most balanced offenses in the country.
This is only the second-ever meeting between these programs, with UNLV winning the lone prior matchup back in 1988. More than three decades later, the Rebels appear well positioned to repeat that result, especially in a high-scoring environment that favors their offensive versatility.
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UNLV vs. Ohio Date, Time, and Where to Watch Frisco Bowl
- Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2025
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
UNLV vs. Ohio Odds
Frisco Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
UNLV -6.5 (-110) | Ohio +6.5 (-110) |
UNLV ML (-265) | Ohio ML (+215) |
Over 64.5 Total Points | Under 64.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest UNLV vs. Ohio Odds
UNLV vs. Ohio Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
UNLV Injuries
- TE Var’Keyes Gumms (last played in Week 12)
Ohio Injuries
- LB Michael Molnar (last played in Week 9)
Ohio Coaching Changes
Head coach Brian Smith has been fired after weeks of uncertainty amid a misconduct scandal. Defensive coordinator John Hauser will take over as the interim head coach.
UNLV vs. Ohio Odds Breakdown - Frisco Bowl
Both teams want to run the football, and both do it well. Ohio owns a top-10 rushing attack nationally, while UNLV sits comfortably inside the top 20. The difference comes when the game script changes. UNLV also ranks inside the top 30 in passing offense, while Ohio’s aerial attack falls back outside the top 100. If the Bobcats fall behind early, they may be forced to abandon their strength on the ground and play catch-up in a way that does not suit their personnel.
That is where UNLV’s offensive ceiling becomes decisive. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea has put together a monster season, throwing for well over 3,000 yards with more than 30 combined passing and rushing touchdowns. He operates an offense averaging 35 points per game and has the ability to stretch the field vertically while still punishing defenses that overcommit to stopping the run. Against an Ohio defense dealing with a coaching transition and limited margin for error, that balance is dangerous.
Ohio will have some success moving the ball early behind Navarro and a strong run game, but sustaining that production in a shootout is a different challenge. UNLV’s rushing attack can control tempo, and if Colandrea gets clean looks through the air, the Rebels can create separation quickly. With Ohio missing its head coach and UNLV fully motivated to cap a 10-win season, the Rebels have the clearer path to imposing their will.
UNLV vs. Ohio Best Bet
- Pick: UNLV -6.5 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
This sets up as a game where offensive firepower and stability matter. Ohio’s rushing attack is legitimate, but if they fall behind, they lack the passing efficiency to keep pace. UNLV’s ability to score in multiple ways, combined with Ohio’s coaching chaos and the Rebels’ motivation to finish strong, makes laying the points the right side in the Frisco Bowl.
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