Idaho State vs. UNLV Prediction, Betting Odds & Expert Picks: College Football Week 0

The Runnin' Rebels are nearly a four-touchdown favorite against the Bengals in Week 0.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 22, 2025 9:00 AM EDT • 5 minute read

Idaho State vs. UNLV Prediction, Betting Odds & Expert Picks: College Football Week 0 — Pictured: Former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen is opening his first season at UNLV in Week 0 against FCS Idaho State. Photo by Nelson Chenault / Imagn Images.

This FCS vs. FBS college football tilt between the Idaho State Bengals and UNLV Rebels from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (airing on the Mountain West Network) was added to the Week 0 slate late in the summer, but it fits perfectly in the 4:00 p.m. ET window. We break it down with my Idaho State vs. UNLV prediction.

With player props not available as of this writing, we add to our college football Week 0 predictions with our best Idaho State vs. UNLV ATS and O/U wagers, in a game where the Rebels are anywhere from 26.5 to 27.5-point favorites with an O/U of 65.5 points across our top sports betting sites.

📊 Idaho State vs. UNLV odds: Week 0

Live updated odds from our best college football betting sites. Follow the latest college football scores for line history and matchup info.

🏈 Idaho State vs. UNLV expert picks

College football picks made Thursday; odds subject to change.

✅ Moneyline pick: UNLV [-4000 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Against the spread pick: Idaho State +27.5 [-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Over 65.5 [-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐

🔮 Idaho State vs. UNLV prediction & best bet

🔎 Our college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best college football odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!

🐯 Idaho State +27.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Former Mississippi State and Florida head coach Dan Mullen takes over a UNLV program that was resurrected by Barry Odom. The Rebels averaged 3.3 wins per season in the 28 years before Odom arrived, then promptly won 20 games in those two years.

Because of that success, UNLV is overvalued to start the season, especially since it ranks 132nd in returning production (34% on offense, 29% on defense) and is breaking in at least 20 new starters.

One cannot control its opponents’ successes, but UNLV only won three of its 20 games over the past two years against FBS teams that finished with a winning record.

BetMGM is the only top sports betting site to move to +27.5, while the rest are a point lower at +26.5. That is great value in what could be a lookahead spot for the Rebels, facing a Sam Houston team that won 10 games and finished second in Conference USA a year ago. The -110 odds imply a 52.38% chance of a cover with a $10 winning bet returning a $9.09 profit.

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💰 Best Idaho State vs. UNLV player prop bet

Usatsi 24659715 — Pictured: Former Michigan quarterback Alex Orji is now playing at UNLV. Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

⬆️ Over 65.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐

The Rebels lost one of the best linebackers in the country in Jackson Woodard. And even if UNLV’s run defense is again stout, that should play into Idaho State’s strengths as the top FCS passing offense two years ago.

The Bengals get back quarterback Jordan Cooke, who was limited to one game last year because of injury.

UNLV should also be in line for plenty of points, as quarterbacks Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea, who transferred from Michigan and Virginia, bring different skillsets that are difficult to prepare for. With each likely earning playing time and vying for the starting job, look for UNLV’s coaching staff to be aggressive in their play-calling.

Most of the top sports betting sites are aligned with an O/U of 65.5 at the standard -110 juice. Those odds correlate to a 52.38% implied probability, and would net $9.09 in profit on a winning $10 wage

🚑 Idaho State vs. UNLV injuries

❓Idaho State vs. UNLV FAQs

Who is the favorite to win Idaho State vs. UNLV?

UNLV is anywhere from a 26.5- to 27.5-point favorite at our top sports betting sites against Idaho State.

How do college football spread odds work?

When betting on college football, the favorite needs to win by a certain number of points to cover the "point spread" - also known as the betting line. Conversely, the underdog needs to lose by fewer than the points displayed in the spread or win outright to cash. For example, a 3-point favorite would need to win by more than a field goal to reward bettors.

How do college football moneyline odds work?

When betting on college football, the underdog will have the "longer" odds and is typically priced at "plus-money" odds that indicate the profit on a $100 bet. For example, a team with +150 odds would turn a $100 bet into a $150 profit - or a $10 bet into a $15 profit - according to our odds converter.

Where can I find the best college football betting odds?

Shop around our best college football betting sites to find the best odds for your college football picks. Our best sports betting sites for all sports include BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, FanDuel, and DraftKings.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”