Week 8 of the 2021 college football season goes on Thursday, October 21, with four games around the country, including the Mountain West Conference showdown from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, so here’s the best San Jose State vs. UNLV betting pick. 

According to MyBookie Sportsbook, the Spartans are 5-point road favorites with their moneyline odds at -210. The Rebels are +175 moneyline dogs with a total of 46.5 points, so let’s take a closer look.

The Spartans suffered a tough loss in Week 7  

The San Jose State Spartans (3-4; 2-5 ATS) are coming off a 19-13 double-overtime loss to the No. 24 San Diego State Aztecs this past Friday. They covered a 10-point spread at home, but it was the Spartans; second defeat on the spin and third in their last four outings along with a 37-31 home victory over New Mexico State.

The Spartans held the Aztecs to only 240 total yards while racking up 345 in a return, but it wasn’t enough for a victory. They gave up 101 yards on 12 penalties, while sophomore QB Nick Nash completed just 16 of his 34 passing attempts, throwing for 228 yards and an interception.

San Jose State is scoring 19.4 points per contest, enough for the 117th-best in the nation. The Spartans are yielding 23.1 points in a return (58th in the country) on 131.1 rushing yards (tied-44th) and 219.9 passing yards (tied-61st).

The Rebels are winless in 12 straight outings  

The UNLV Rebels (0-6; 4-1-1 ATS) are coming off a heart-breaking 28-24 defeat to Utah State this past Saturday. They were leading the Aggies for most of the game, playing as 7-point home underdogs, but the Rebels allowed a winning TD with just 35 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter.

It was UNLV’s 12th loss in a row. The Rebels recorded just 12 1st downs while surrendering 26 in a return. Freshman QB Cameron Friel went 11-of-21 for 107 yards and an interception, while senior RB Charles Williams led the way for UNLV with 27 carries for a whopping 221 yards and three touchdowns.

Friel was limited in practice on Monday due to an undisclosed injury, but he should be ready to go against the Spartans. The Rebels are already without their starting QB Doug Brumfield, who’s sidelined with knee and back injuries. UNLV is scoring 19.5 points per game (116th in the nation) on 290.3 total yards (124th), yielding 35.0 points in a return (tied-115th) on 452.0 total yards (116th).

Trends:

San Jose State:

  • 7-2-1 ATS in the last ten games against UNLV
  • 4-2 ATS in the last six games played in October  

UNLV:

  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games played in Week 8 
  • 1-4-1 ATS in the last six games at home

San Jose State vs. UNLV Pick

The Rebels will be in trouble if Cameron Friel doesn’t suit up for Thursday’s clash, though he’s tossed for just 619 yards, a TD, and four interceptions through four appearances so far this season. UNLV will have to lean on its ground game, and the Spartans have defended rushing well thus far.

On the other side, the Spartans’ offense is struggling, too. San Jose State should win this game on the back of its defense, and I can only hope the Spartans will manage to cover a 5-point spread. Last year, they beat the Rebels 34-17 as 17-point home favorites.

Pick: Take San Jose State -5.0 at -110          

The Total:

The under is 4-1 in UNLV’s last five games overall, and it is 5-0 in the Rebels’ previous five contests played in October. On the other side, the under is 10-3 in the Spartans’ last 13 showings at any location, and it is 5-1 in their previous six outings away from home.

Also, five of the last eight meetings between San Jose State and UNLV went in the under. I would ride these betting trends, as both teams have struggled mightily to move the ball and score points so far this term.

Pick: Go under 46.5 points at -110