College football's Week 3 slate continues on Friday night with Kansas hosting UNLV in an intriguing non-conference matchup. The Jayhawks hope to rebound after a loss at Illinois last Saturday, while the Rebels aim to move to 3-0 and pick off a win against a power conference program - a victory that could be crucial for the CFB Playoff positioning in December.
Last week's loss to Illinois dropped Kansas to 1-1 through the first two weeks of the year. After an easy victory over Lindenwood (48-3) in Week 1, the Jayhawks lost in Champaign primarily due to turnovers (four) and a passing game behind quarterback Jalon Daniels that threw for only 141 yards.
After a dominant 27-7 victory against Houston in Week 1, UNLV easily defeated Utah Tech 72-14 last Saturday. The Rebels are 2-0 for the first time since 1999 and a win over the Jayhawks would be a huge boost for coach Barry Odom's squad as it looks to be a factor for a spot in the CFB Playoff as the highest ranked Group of 5 champion.
While both teams have changed personnel since last season, familiarity in this game is high after the Rebels and Jayhawks met in the '23 Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Kansas won that matchup 49-36. Kansas leads the all-time series 2-1 against UNLV.
UNLV at Kansas
Location: Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Kickoff: Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Kansas -7.5
Over/Under: 58.5
Announcers: Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, and Paul Carcaterra
Why UNLV Will Win
UNLV took a big step forward under first-year coach Barry Odom last season, winning nine games after a 5-7 mark in '22. Although it's still early in the '24 season, the Rebels are on track to improve on last year's performance. Odom's squad dominated its first two games and won't be intimated by playing Kansas after seeing this squad in the bowl contest last fall.
Transfer quarterback Matthew Sluka (14 of 30 for 232 yards and five touchdowns) is still developing as a passer within the offense, but coordinator Brennan Marion has assembled one of the nation's top ground games. Sluka (129 yards) leads the way, but Greg Burrell (117), Michael Allen (105), Jai'Den Thomas (45), and Kylin James (103) will all see time. And when Sluka takes to the air, receiver Ricky White III (17.4 yards per catch) is one of the best in college football.
Considering Odom is in charge of the program, it's no secret the defense has made major strides over the last two years. The former Missouri and Arkansas defensive coordinator has this unit averaging only 4.4 yards per play allowed - down significantly from 6.3 in '23. The personnel on this side of the ball has improved over the last two years via the portal, which includes standout linebacker Jackson Woodard (Arkansas transfer), defensive backs Jalen Catalon (Texas/Arkansas), Tony Grimes (Texas A&M/North Carolina), and Malik Chavis (Arkansas).
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Why Kansas Will Win
Expect the Jayhawks' offense to get back on track on Friday night. Although Daniels tossed three picks and was inefficient overall (18 of 32), he's one of the Big 12's top playmakers and is due for a rebound. A deep cast of playmakers supports Daniels, including running back Devin Neal and receivers Luke Grimm, Lawrence Arnold, and Quentin Skinner.
UNLV's defense has allowed only 21 points through two games but struggled last year against the pass and ranked seventh in the Mountain West in points allowed (28.6 a game). Is the Rebels' performance so far a sign of an improved defense or a favorable slate of offenses?
Under coach Lance Leipold, Kansas has made steady gains on defensive improvement. Could the '24 defense be the best of Leipold's tenure? Through two weeks, the Jayhawks are allowing 4.01 yards a snap and limiting teams to 2.5 yards a carry - a good sign against a UNLV offense averaging 349 rushing yards a contest through two weeks.
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Final Analysis
The two passing offenses and quarterbacks loom large in this game. UNLV has won big by leaning on its rushing attack and defense so far in '24, but can Sluka consistently hit enough passes against the Jayhawks if needed? On the other sideline, can Daniels bounce back after a rough performance at Illinois? The guess here is Kansas gets back on track offensively and wins a hard-fought battle against an improving (and dangerous) UNLV squad.
Prediction: Kansas 31, UNLV 24
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