Kansas-UNLV on national television? No, this isn’t a throwback basketball thriller – it’s the Guaranteed Rate Bowl as the two football programs will slug it out on the home field of MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Kansas has made it to two straight bowl games now, improving from a 2-10 record in 2021 to 6-7 a year ago (with that seventh loss coming in triple overtime against Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl) and 8-4 this year. It’s been 16 seasons since the Jayhawks won eight football games in a regular season, and this is just the second time that Kansas has appeared in bowl games after two consecutive seasons. The UNLV Rebels (9-4) are in a bowl game for the first time in nine years. Their nine wins are the most for the program since 1984, and first-year head coach Barry Odom was named 2023 Mountain West Coach of the Year. The Jayhawks are favored by a dozen points, but don’t lock in your NCAAF betting on this game between Kansas vs UNLV until you read our prediction.
2023 College Football Guaranteed Rate Bowl Odds: Kansas vs UNLV
When: Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 9:00 pm ET
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
TV: ESPN
Radio: No National Broadcast
Live Stream: ESPN+
NCAAF Odds: Kansas -12.5 / O/U 64.5 // Kansas -450 / UNLV +325
Why should you bet on the Kansas Jayhawks?
Quarterback Jalon Daniels (back) will miss the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, but tailback Devin Neal will play. He ran for 1,209 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. The Jayhawks’ offense focuses on the run as they average 211.3 yards on the ground per game and score 33.8 points per contest. Jason Bean will get the start at quarterback under an interim OC as the team’s coordinator went to Penn State after the regular season. Two O-linemen, two wide receivers, and starting tight end Will Huggins have all headed into the transfer portal.
The defense permitted 25.8 points per game and brings back almost all of its starters for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. They didn’t hold anyone in Big 12 play under 20 points on the road until their last away game; they permitted 167.1 rushing yards per game and a 66.0% pass completion rate. If they can play defense like they did down the stretch, they should be able to limit the damage that UNLV can do. But can they cover a 12-point spread with a backup quarterback and an interim offensive coordinator – and with most of their top skill players gone?
Bet on Kansas to Win Today
| 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl Odds | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNLV Rebels | +12.5 | -180 | U 64.5 |
| Kansas Jayhawks | -12.5 | -450 | O 64.5 |
Why should you put your money on the UNLV Rebels?
UNLV hosted the MWC Championship despite losing their last regular-season game at home to San Jose State. They also dropped the championship as Boise State ran over them, 44-20. Their defense now has lost five starters to the transfer portal, and safety Jett Elad will be a game-time decision after having to miss the MWC title game. The Rebels permitted 402.0 yards and 27.0 points per game with their starters, so their defense could be quite porous on Tuesday.
On offense, the team didn’t lose any of their top skill players to the transfer portal. They gained 414.8 yards per game, 179.5 of those on the ground, and they scored 34.3 points per game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava had a productive season. This is a game that could easily turn into a track meet (as the over/under point total shows) if Kansas can get their scheme up an d running.
Bet on UNLV to Win Today
Kansas vs UNLV Final Score and Prediction for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl
I’m not sure that Kansas’ defense can keep UNLV two touchdowns behind. I’m also a little doubtful that UNLV can do much to stop Kansas. This seems like a game that the last team with the ball will probably win. I predict a final score of Kansas 38, UNLV 34.
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Kansas vs UNLV Guaranteed Rate Bowl
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