Memphis vs UNLV NCAAF Week Zero Preview and Prediction August 29, 2026
Posted 3 weeks ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, Featured, NCAAF | 0 comments
Memphis vs UNLV August 29, 2026 @ Las Vegas, NV
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: UNLV -3.5, MEM +3.5
Moneyline: UNLV -175, MEM +150
Total: 59.5
Memphis vs UNLV Betting Preview
The Rebels open their season with high expectations after Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State bolted for the new look PAC12. The Mountain West appears to be watered down, and that should open the door for a program like UNLV with more resources than most of the competition.
They will host a Memphis team that comes in with a new head coach, and ton of turnover. The bookmakers have the home team favored and they are predicting a high scoring battle with a total approaching 60.
Both these teams come into the 2026 season projected to win 7-8 games, and both are considered legitimate contenders to win their respective conference.
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Memphis
Memphis Betting Preview
- Head coach: Charles Huff
- Offensive coordinator: Kevin Decker
- Defensive coordinator: Lance Guidry
- 8-5 Overall in 2025
- 4-4 in the AAC in 2025
- 8-5 ATS in 2025
Charles Huff comes in to replace Ryan Silverfield as the head coach of the Tigers, and he is a proven leader with plenty of experience. He was successful at Marshall, and he turned things around at Southern Miss last year with the help from plenty of transfers from his former team.
Huff will bring talent with him from Southern Miss, most notably defensive back Ian Foster, who likely has a future playing on Sundays. The defense should be in good shape with 13 defensive players coming over from Huff’s former team.
The Tigers have options at quarterback, and it is not yet clear if former four star prospect Air Noland who transfered from South Carolina will beat out Marcus Stokes who put up big numbers at West Florida last year. Whether they choose the experience with stokes or the pedigree with Nolan, Memphis should have their next gunslinger for the 2026 season.
UNLV Betting Preview
- Head coach: Dan Mullen
- Offensive coordinator: Corey Dennis
- Defensive coordinator: Paul Guenther
- 10-4 Overall in 2025
- 6-2 in the MW in 2025
- 7-7 ATS in 2025
The jury is still out on Dan Mullen, but based on what we saw last year it appears he has this program trending in the right direction. They will be co-favorites to win the Mountain West alongside New Mexico.
With senior transfer Jackson Arnold coming over from Auburn, the Rebels will have a dual threat quarterback with plenty of experience. While he failed to live up to expectations in the SEC, he did have his moments. Alabama fans will never forget when he led the Sooners to an upset win over the Crimson Tide two seasons ago.
This team ranked 9th in the Mountain West in total defense last year, allowing 6.4 yards per play and 28 points per game. They have plenty of turnover on this side of the ball, which might be a positive.
Memphis vs UNLV Betting Trends
- The Tigers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games.
- The Rebels are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games.
- The Under is 5-1 in the Rebels last 6 overall.
- The Tigers are 12-0 in their last 12 season openers.
- The Rebels are 4-10 in their last 14 season openers.
PREDICTION: MEM 27 – UNLV 28
The Tigers have a new coach and plenty of turnover, but that might not be a bad thing. The fact that Charles Huff will have a defense with 13 transfers from Southern Miss, could give him an advantage in the first game of the season. UNLV is expected to take over the Mountain Wester after the Boise State Broncos left for the PAC12. Memphis has won their season opener in 12 straight seasons, and they won’t likely roll over here and might threaten to win this game outright.
