Memphis vs. UNLV Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest College Football Odds for Saturday, August 29th
Memphis and UNLV close the Week 0 slate with an important Group of Five matchup that could already influence the race for the final College Football Playoff spot. Both programs have become regular bowl contenders, but Memphis begins a major coaching and roster transition while UNLV enters Year 2 under Dan Mullen.
Peter Alexis - August 29, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadMemphis vs. UNLV Prediction: Can Jackson Arnold, UNLV Start Hot at Home in Saturday Night's Week 0 Finale?
Memphis and UNLV kick off at 10:00 PM ET on FOX from Allegiant Stadium. The Rebels are favored by 4 points with the total at 56.5 in the first meeting between the programs.
UNLV went 10-4 in Mullen's first season and reached the Mountain West Championship Game for a third consecutive year. The ending was disappointing, with the Rebels losing to Boise State in the conference title game and then falling 17-10 to Ohio in the Frisco Bowl, but 10 victories continued one of the best stretches in program history.
Memphis vs. UNLV Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, August 29th, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: FOX
Memphis vs. UNLV Odds
Click here for the latest Memphis vs. UNLV Odds
Memphis vs. UNLV Prediction
The Rebels have another new quarterback, but the talent level is difficult to ignore. Former five-star Jackson Arnold transferred from Auburn and steps into Mullen's quarterback-friendly system, while four-year standout running back Jai'Den Thomas returns to provide stability around him. UNLV also brought in Pitt offensive tackle Jackson Brown and Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett as part of another aggressive portal class.
Memphis went 8-5 last season and closed on a terrible note, losing 31-7 to NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Tigers have now won at least eight games in three consecutive seasons, but Ryan Silverfield's departure created a significant reset despite the program's recent consistency.
Charles Huff takes over after building a strong team at Southern Miss and brought a substantial portion of his roster philosophy with him. Defensive lineman J'Mond Tapp, linebacker Mike Montgomery and defensive back Ian Foster all followed Huff's broader pipeline and enter as preseason all-conference caliber defenders, while Dallan Hayden adds experience at running back. Quarterback remains the larger unknown, with Memphis rebuilding around a new offense under coordinator Kevin Decker.
That is the key difference in Week 0. Memphis may eventually become one of the American's strongest teams again, but there are a lot of moving pieces being asked to immediately function together on the road. UNLV also has a new quarterback, yet Mullen's system is already installed, Thomas returns in the backfield and the Rebels have spent the last three seasons learning how to win important games.
UNLV's defense remains the biggest concern after allowing more than 400 yards per game last season, so Memphis should create enough offense to make this competitive. But the Rebels averaged 34.1 points last year and now get a former five-star quarterback in an offense specifically designed to maximize that position.
Memphis vs. UNLV Pick
- Pick: UNLV -4 (-110) Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
With home field at Allegiant Stadium, better coaching continuity and the more established offensive foundation, UNLV has the advantages that matter most in an opening-week matchup. Memphis should improve as Huff's roster settles in, but Week 0 is a difficult place to trust a major rebuild against a team that has won 10 games in consecutive seasons.
More College Football Odds
Affiliate Disclosure.
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
