Kansas faces UNLV on the Assured Fee Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday as two of probably the most progressive offenses in faculty soccer conflict. The Jayhawks jumped to 8-4 in coach Lance Leipold’s third season and posted their first Large 12 profitable report since 2007 regardless of lacking quarterback Jalon Daniels for many of the yr. The slate was highlighted by an upset 38-33 victory over Oklahoma.
UNLV posted one of many largest turnarounds in faculty soccer throughout a breakout season. The Operating Rebels earned a visit to the Mountain West Championship Recreation for the primary time in program historical past and received their most video games since 1984 underneath first-year coach Barry Odom.
These two groups place a two-game sequence in 2002-03 with every profitable a house recreation. Most lately, the Jayhawks beat UNLV 46-24 within the second yr of the Mark Mangino period. With the joy round each of those packages, comparatively few contributors have opted out of the video games.
Methods to watch Assured Fee Bowl reside
Date: Saturday, Dec. 26 | Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
Location: Chase Area — Phoenix, Arizona
TV: ESPN| Stay stream: Fubo (Attempt without cost)
For a restricted time, new subscribers can save $20 on Fubo’s Professional, Elite and Premier plans.
Kansas vs. UNLV: Have to know
Rolling with punches: Kansas entered the yr with Daniels, the Preseason Large 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months, main the best way, however a nagging again situation finally restricted him. In reduction, backup Jason Bean put collectively one other sensational yr. In seven video games, Bean handed for 1,671 yards, rushed for 259 yards and completed with 15 touchdowns. Regardless of all of the turnover, Kansas completed prime 30 in each complete and scoring offense. The Jayhawks will probably be with out playcaller Andy Kotelnicki, who left to take the offensive coordinator job at Penn State, however Kansas has loads left within the tank.
Go Go Offense: UNLV runs a dynamic offensive system underneath rising star offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. The “Go-Go Offense” depends on creating mismatches in house — primarily utilizing operating backs — and it terrorized opposing defenses within the Mountain West. In Marion’s first season, UNLV ranked prime 40 in yards dashing and prime 25 in factors per recreation. The unit solely get higher when freshman quarterback Jordan Maiava entered the lineup and added dual-threat skill. He completed with practically 3,000 complete yards in 11 video games.
Particular groups edge: UNLV would possibly wrestle towards a Energy 5 entrance, however its distinctive particular groups offers the Rebels a stark benefit. Kicker Jose Pizano paradoxically got here to UNLV with Bobby Petrino from Missouri State however caught round after Petrino left to take the Texas A&M offensive coordinator job. He went on to hit 93% of his discipline objectives and a number of recreation winners to be an All-America contender. Jacob De Jesus additionally starred as a receiver however posted practically 1,000 return yards to swing the sector on kickoffs and punts. Because of the benefits, the Rebels rank prime 5 nationally in internet discipline place, per CFBGraphs. Kansas is 87th.
Assured Fee Bowl prediction, picks
Odds by way of SportsLine consensus
Kansas is a extra full workforce and boasts a dynamic offense, however UNLV has all of the instruments to maintain this recreation nearer than anticipated. The Operating Rebels can management discipline place and create extra alternatives on particular groups. The place the Jayhawks doubtless draw back is within the operating recreation, behind star operating again Devin Neal. Nevertheless, UNLV will preserve tempo and canopy. Choose: UNLV +13
Which faculty soccer picks are you able to make with confidence throughout bowl season? Go to SportsLine to see which groups will win and canopy the unfold — all from a confirmed laptop mannequin that has returned properly over $2,000 in revenue over the previous seven-plus seasons — and discover out.
