Penn Rejoice, rejoice, football fans — the game you love is finally back. Week 0 kicks off with the Idaho State Bengals traveling to Allegiant Stadium to take on the UNLV Rebels.
All eyes are on Dan Mullen as he leads UNLV for the first time. How will his debut in Sin City unfold?
My Idaho State vs. UNLV predictions and college football picks are banking on points for Saturday, August 23.
Idaho State vs UNLV prediction
Idaho State vs UNLV Best bet: Over 65.5 (-110)
Dan Mullen has coached 13 seasons at Florida and Mississippi State, and there’s excitement about the talent he’s assembled with the UNLV Rebels. The roster has undergone its second overhaul in the last three years, so it’s anyone’s guess what the on-field product will resemble this Saturday.
The Rebels are expected to play two quarterbacks, Michigan transfer Alex Orji and Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea, against a defense that surrendered 37.8 ppg a year ago. UNLV’s run game should be cooking, led by star tailback Jai’Den Thomas (918 rushing yards, seven touchdowns a year ago).
The Idaho State Bengals, meanwhile, will lean on their offense-first identity that saw them average 32 ppg in 2024. They’re led by an experienced offensive line that essentially returns four starters from a unit that allowed only 10 sacks a season ago.
They have an experienced signal caller in Jordan Cooke, who started and threw for 2,453 yards in 2023 and was the original starter in 2024 for a game, and return a few starting wide receivers and rotational running backs. The expectation is for the quick-passing and tempo attack to click for the offense.
Idaho State vs UNLV same-game parlay
The Rebels rank 132nd in returning production and return two starters from last year’s breakout, 11-win squad. While Mullen has assembled a fair amount of blue-chippers for a Group of 5 roster, it’ll likely take some time for the pieces to gel.
Third-year coach Cody Hawkins has improved his team’s record each season (from 1-10 before he got there, 3-7 in 2023, to 5-7 in 2024), so he’s earned the benefit of the doubt.
With Orji and Colandrea both playing, the Rebels should continue to score points into the third quarter, as Mullen will emphasize gaining continuity with both signal callers, regardless of the margin
Our deep-ball SGP: Points early and often
If this game goes according to Mullen’s script, his Rebels will get off to a fast start offensively, which would correlate with Idaho State pushing the tempo in response.
Idaho State vs UNLV game predictions
Idaho State vs UNLV spread prediction
UNLV has more roster overhaul than just about any team in the country, so expecting them to win by four touchdowns in the opener is too rich for my blood.
Idaho State vs UNLV moneyline prediction
That being said, they’re still expected to pull off the victory and have a successful start to the Dan Mullen era.
Idaho State vs UNLV Over/Under prediction
Both teams are known for their offensive identities, and both defenses have undergone significant changes, which should lead to plenty of points.
Idaho State vs UNLV odds
- Idaho State vs. UNLV spread: UNLV -24.5
- Idaho State vs. UNLV moneyline: Idaho State +1000, UNLV -5000
- Idaho State vs. UNLV Over/Under: 65.5
Idaho State vs UNLV betting trend to know
UNLV has hit the Over in four of its last five games at home. Find more college football betting trends for Idaho State vs UNLV.
How to watch Idaho State vs UNLV
| Location | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date | Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 4:00 p.m. ET |
Idaho State vs UNLV latest injuries
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