UNLV vs. Ohio Prediction & Top Betting Picks (December 23, 2025)
The UNLV Rebels will be favored to get their 11th win of the year on Tuesday night, where they will be touchdown favorites against the Ohio Bobcats in the 2025 Frisco Bowl.
UNLV has had a sensational season, going 10-3 behind an elite offense. Their year didn’t end with a Mountain West title, but 10 wins and a high-octane offense still made this season a success. They can add to it on Tuesday if they live up to their 7-point favorite billing and take out the Bobcats.
Ohio may not be so quick to oblige, as the Bobcats have also enjoyed a solid season and were one of the better teams in the MAC. Ohio has relied more on a solid defense, of course, potentially delivering UNLV’s kryptonite.
It’s a solid matchup on paper, forcing bettors to question if Ohio can keep up with UNLV, or perhaps even stop them. I’ll dive into the latest odds and key matchups to find out, handing out my preferred picks and final UNLV vs. Ohio prediction along the way.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: UNLV Rebels (10-3) vs. Ohio Bobcats (8-4)
- Date & Time: Tuesday, December 23rd, with kickoff at 8:00 pm (9:00 pm ET)
- Venue: Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN
Team Record
- UNLV is 10-3, 6-3 in the Mountain West.
- Ohio is 8-4, 6-2 in the MAC.
Betting Odds
Check out the latest UNLV vs. Ohio odds, per FanDuel:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
UNLV | -6.5 (-120) | -245 | Over 66.5 (-105) |
Ohio | +6.5 (-102) | +200 | Under 66.5 (-115) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
Ohio and UNLV have only faced off once before, with the Rebels winning the only meeting 26-18 back in 1988.
This game will be played in Texas, so neither of these teams will be playing a home game.
Why This Game Matters
This is the Frisco Bowl, so both teams will be fighting for a trophy and a win to close out strong seasons. The game could matter a bit more for Ohio players, who lost their head coach due to an off-field scandal.
However, UNLV could be just as motivated, as they lost the Mountain West title game to Boise State and could be eager to finish an otherwise amazing year with one last big victory.
Team Profiles
UNLV Rebels
The Rebels may not have been able to cement their 2025 season with a Mountain West title, but they still won 10 games and have looked quite good doing it. Capable of going toe-to-toe with virtually anyone, UNLV averaged 35.8 points per game (14th) behind an extremely balanced and dynamic offensive attack.
Explosive running back Jai’Den Thomas and dual-threat quarterback Anthony Colandrea combine to give UNLV a legit one-two punch that is borderline impossible to stop. Boise State found a way to contain them, but that was the first defense that held them below 29 points on the year.
Their offensive aptitude is a huge reason the Rebels will be favored in this tilt with Ohio. Let’s take a quick look at where they specifically stand out going into the Frisco Bowl:
- Ground Control: The Rebels are absurdly balanced, but they run a bit more than they pass. Their 22nd-ranked running game isn’t predicated on sheer volume, however, as Jai-Den Thomas is one of the most explosive rushers in college football and contributes heavily to the team’s 5.5 yards per carry clip (9th).
- Pass Attack: As good as UNLV is on the ground, they’re basically equal through the air. Anthony Colandrea has been fantastic, guiding the nation’s 31st-best passing game and one that is highly accurate and thrives on big plays (8.4 yards per pass).
- Finish the Job: On top of their elite balance and explosiveness, UNLV simply finishes scoring drives. Once past the 20, they score at a 94% clip, which ranks 5th in NCAAF.
Ohio Bobcats
The Bobcats face the unfortunate reality of being a team forced to play without their head coach, while also dealing with an off-field scandal at the same time.
It’s a bleak spot to be in, but that doesn’t negate what the Bobcats have accomplished. Ohio still has eight wins to their name, have a fantastic rushing attack, and have a solid defense.
That type of balance gives the Bobcats a shot in this game, even though they are clear 7-point underdogs and don’t have an offensive that is quite as explosive as the opponent they’re running into.
Ohio still has a lot of strengths, of course. Let’s take a quick look at what stands out the most for them heading into this difficult matchup:
- Ground Control: Ohio’s best path to success in this game is dominating on the ground. That’s certainly something they’ve been able to do in 2025, as they run the ball 61% of the time (11th) and are very efficient (16th in yards per rush). Their volume leads to production, too, as this is the country’s 9th-best rushing offense.
- Defend the Pass: That elite rushing offense helps Ohio control time of possession and keeps their defense fresh. They also have a solid pass rush and limit opposing passing games to just 202.9 passing yards per game (37th).
- Bend, Don’t Break: Ohio’s defense isn’t perfect, but it does tend to shut teams down when they get in scoring position. The Bobcats sport a 79% scoring rate inside the RZ, which ranks 30th in college football.
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key UNLV vs. Ohio matchups:
- UNLV’s passing game vs. Ohio’s pass defense: The Rebels are very efficient and extremely explosive through the air. As good as they are, they’ll be tested against a solid Ohio pass rush, as well as a team that could limit their opportunities if they establish the run.
- Ohio’s rush offense vs. UNLV’s run defense: Getting that ground game going is more than possible for the Bobcats. They own a top-10 rushing offense, and UNLV allows 5.2 yards per carry, which ranks 124th in college football.
- UNLV’s RZ offense vs. Ohio’s RZ defense: The Rebels score at an elite rate inside the 20. The odds are good they keep that up in this matchup, but they’ll be racing a top-30 red-zone scoring defense.
Betting Insights & Trends
UNLV has been fantastic, but they’re just 7-6 against the spread this year. The Rebels are 6-4 ATS as the favorite and 3-1 ATS in non-conference games, however.
Ohio (5-6-1) have been worse against the spread, but they are 2-1-1 ATS as the underdog.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Check out my top UNLV vs. Ohio picks:
| Bet | Reasoning | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
Over 66.5 (-105) | UNLV’s offense is pretty unstoppable. They should cook, and Ohio can do enough to help this game hit the Over, despite it being awfully high. | 7/10 |
UNLV ATS -6.5 (-120) | Ohio is solid, but the Rebels are better and more explosive. They also don’t have a dark cloud hanging over them in the form of an off-field scandal. | 7/10 |
Prop Play – Anthony Colandrea Anytime TD (-190) | A lot of UNLV players could crush in this spot, but star quarterback Anthony Colandrea is certainly one of them. He has 9 rushing scores on the year and has a TD on the ground in seven different contests. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Over 66.5 (-105)
- Secondary Pick: UNLV ATS -6.5 (-120)
The Over bet is all about the Rebels. They score over 35 points per game and have enough offensive talent to do much more than that in this spot.
I like the Rebels to show up and show out, which makes them a solid bet to cover against a distracted Ohio team that may not have the offensive firepower to keep up.
UNLV vs. Ohio odds keep shifting as bettors weigh explosive offense against ball-control defense — follow every line move, compare spreads and totals, and lock in the best value before kickoff at the top football betting sites.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
College football bets don’t always go as planned. Here’s why my UNLV vs. Ohio picks could fail:
- High Total: This game has an extremely high total. If Ohio’s defense has some success or their offense fails to contribute, the Over could struggle to hit.
- Control Time: Ohio’s rushing attack could play a huge hand in hurting the Over, but it could also lead to the Bobcats beating the spread.
- TD Variance: Anthony Colandrea is a fantastic bet to punch in a touchdown, but he’s far from UNV’s only rushing threat. Simple touchdown variance could keep this prop from delivering.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: UNLV 41, Ohio 31
UNLV is going to dictate the pace of this game; they’re going to put up a lot of points, and they’re going to win. They are the better team fundamentally, as they’ve scored on better teams throughout the year, and much better defenses than Ohio’s have had issues containing them.
The Rebels have the balance and explosive ability to kill Ohio from anywhere on the field, and that is precisely what I expect out of them in the Frisco Bowl.
Ohio does still have a healthy rushing attack and a soft matchup. They should be able to find some success on the ground and do enough to keep this one interesting. That should contribute to the Over hitting, but the Bobcats beating the spread doesn’t feel like a lock.
