UNLV at Sam Houston - 2025 Matchup Preview
UNLV logo   UNLV Rebels vs Sam Houston Bearkats  Sam Houston logo
Friday, August 29th 2025 (9:30 PM EDT)
UNLV -13.5 (58.5) (-500)  Open: -13.5 | 58.5
UNLV 38 - Sam Houston: 21

 
Rebels (10 - 4) (7 - 7 - 0)
Coach Dan Mullen (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 34 - 28 (35 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 10.7 - 3.3 (#14)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
Our Line: UNLV -24  (SP+ UNLV -32)
Projected Score: UNLV: 41 - SHSU: 17 (59)
UNLV Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
UNLV Travel: 1227 miles, 2 hrs behind
Bearkats (2 - 10) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Phil Longo (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 18 - 38 (18 - 38 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 2 - 10 (#126)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
UNLV's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 UNLV vs Idaho State-30.567.0W 38 - 31ON
Fri 8/29 UNLV vs Sam Houston-13.558.5W 38 - 21OY
Sat 9/6 UNLV vs UCLA+2.554.5W 30 - 23UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 UNLV at Miami (OH)-2.549.5W 41 - 38OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 UNLV at Wyoming-4.550.5W 31 - 17UY
Sat 10/11 UNLV vs Air Force-7.065.5W 51 - 48ON
Sat 10/18 UNLV at Boise State+12.560.5L 31 - 56ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 UNLV vs New Mexico-3.561.5L 35 - 40ON
Sat 11/8 UNLV at Colorado State-5.560.5W 42 - 10UY
Sat 11/15 UNLV vs Utah State-4.568.5W 29 - 26UN
Fri 11/21 UNLV vs Hawai'i-2.564.5W 38 - 10UY
Sat 11/29 UNLV at Nevada-7.553.0W 42 - 17OY
Fri 12/5 UNLV at Boise State+6.060.0L 21 - 38UN
Tue 12/23 UNLV vs Ohio-6.564.5L 10 - 17UN

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 9
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for UNLV's Schedule
Sam Houston's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Sam Houston at Western Kentucky+9.560.5L 24 - 41ON
Fri 8/29 Sam Houston vs UNLV+13.558.5L 21 - 38ON
Sat 9/6 Sam Houston at Hawai'i+7.047.5L 20 - 37ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Sam Houston at Texas+39.551.5L 0 - 55ON
BYE WEEK
Thu 10/2 Sam Houston at New Mexico State-1.553.5L 10 - 37UN
Thu 10/9 Sam Houston vs Jacksonville State+7.053.5L 27 - 29OY
Wed 10/15 Sam Houston vs UTEP+3.546.5L 17 - 35ON
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/31 Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech+16.548.0L 14 - 55ON
Sat 11/8 Sam Houston at Oregon State+21.052.5W 21 - 17UY
Sat 11/15 Sam Houston vs Delaware+11.556.5W 26 - 23UY
Sat 11/22 Sam Houston at Middle Tennessee+6.553.5L 17 - 31UN
Sat 11/29 Sam Houston vs Florida International+10.550.5L 16 - 56ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Sam Houston's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UNLV#56 (.21)42% (84)34.143% (83)3.36 (16)24840% (90)1734.26 (33)#34 (.11)37% (14)2840% (39)36% (14)4.05 (97)49.20.61.6
SHSU#115 (.1)39% (107)17.841% (100)3.18 (44)18038% (105)1682.97 (129)#31 (.11)42% (70)37.847% (105)37% (27)3.84 (75)37.91.22.1
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UNLV0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
SHSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UNLV Offense1434.134.741.7%4.260.6214202481735.761%39%43%40%14%.21
SHSU Defense1337.837.841.8%3.842.1 - - - - - 51%48%47%37%17%.11
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UNLV Defense142829.337.4%4.051.6 - - - - - 44%56%40%36%19%.11
SHSU Offense1317.817.839.3%2.971.2193491801684.357%43%41%38%15%.1

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
UNLV1429:5921.140%70%5.649.20.61.66.32.6434.7
Sam Houston1332:1018.839%67%4.637.91.22.15.42.2230.4
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UNLV Offense1461% (8)43% (83)43.5247.85.729 (18).23 (23)3.36 (16)73% (71)9% (58)1.16 (9)
SHSU Defense1351% (74)47% (105) - - - - .17 (92)3.37 (119)75% (75)10% (56)0.83 (9)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UNLV Defense1444% (8)40% (39) - - - - .11 (63)2.63 (19)73% (65)10% (55)1.08 (108)
SHSU Offense1357% (25)41% (100)42.5180.44.321 (59).1 (83)3.18 (44)68% (104)10% (69)0.9 (98)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UNLV Offense1439% (127)40% (90)12.722.1172.67.813.625 (31)6 (10).2 (94)1.7 (32)30% (43)29% (93).26 (97)5% (25)2.1 (58)
SHSU Defense1348% (60)37% (27) - - - - - - 16 (10).06 (6)1.4 (9)32% (57)25% (11).21 (32)6% (58)1.8 (12)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UNLV Defense1456% (128)36% (14) - - - - - - 17 (5).13 (25)1.5 (47)36% (17)25% (7).19 (24)8% (9)2.2 (106)
SHSU Offense1343% (113)38% (105)16.726.8168.26.310.115 (98)9 (48).13 (114)1.5 (106)30% (51)24% (126).13 (130)5% (47)2 (95)

UNLV's Power Ratings
UNLV's Power Rating: -9.39  #99
UNLV's Offense Rating: 12.00  #74
UNLV's Defense Rating: 21.39  #117
2025 Talent Rating: 698.00  #76
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #101
UNLV's 2025 Expected Record: 10.7 - 3.3
UNLV's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.3  #57
UNLV's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.8  #25
UNLV's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.8  #89

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 500.89
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
UNLV: -9.39   Sam Houston: -26.775

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UNLV: 4.3   Sam Houston: -27.8




Sam Houston's Power Ratings
Sam Houston's Power Rating: -26.775  #136
Sam Houston's Offense Rating: 1.86  #130
Sam Houston's Defense Rating: 27.61  #137
2025 Talent Rating: 476.00  #121
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Sam Houston's 2025 Expected Record: 2.0 - 10.0
Sam Houston's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -27.8  #135
Sam Houston's Offense SP+ Rating: 15.3  #129
Sam Houston's Defense SP+ Rating: 41.8  #135

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 436
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


UNLV Scoring
Offense: 34.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 34.7
Defense: 28 PPG
Defense on Road: 29.3

UNLV's 2025 Record
Record: 10 - 4
Record vs Spread: 7 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 7
Record on Road: 5 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 5 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 4 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
UNLV 41
Sam Houston 17


Projected Total Points: 59
Sam Houston Scoring
Offense: 17.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 37.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 37.8

Sam Houston's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 10
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 4
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/29Sam Houston21UNLV38UNLV -13.5UNLV58.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Sam Houston001 Overs
UNLV110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1
Road Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0

(#99) UNLV at (#136) SHSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUNLVSHSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #99 #136
SP+SP+ #57 #135
Perf GradeGrade #57 #134
OffenseOff #28 #135
DefenseDef #104 #128
Spec TeamsST #70 #47
TalentTal #76 #121
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #101
UNLV Notes
(10/31) Team has huge flag issues, smoke & mirrors team
(10/9) RB Jai'Den Thomas & WR Jaden Bradley are weapons
(10/9) Have played very weak schedule going into Boise
(9/21) Nearly lost to Mia OH off bye? Colandrea meh
(9/8) QB2 Alex Orji out for season (hamstring)
(8/30) Colandrea & Off very good start, Def imp vs SHSU
(7/31) OL rebuild, 1/5 back. 7 portals. Have talent
(7/31) Def replace almost all. 21 portal adds, lots of ?
(7/31) New HC Mullen big ? Could go a lot of ways
(6/28) New OC Dennis was Ohio St QB coach, Urbs SIL
(5/15) Easiest SOS in MWC, bottom 10 in CFB
(5/4) 41 portals, 24 from P4 schools, 17 prev 4/5 *
UNLV Injury Report
Sam Houston Notes
(10/10) Def could not hold vs Jax St, QB Watson is tough
(10/3) Hilarious mistakes vs NMSU, no wonder still 0 wins
(10/3) Def awful, Off somehow worse. Longo grade F-
(8/30) QB Watson cannot run this system, big issue
(8/23) QB1? Watson running air raid likely not good
(7/13) Home games 70 miles off campus (Shell Energy)
(7/11) QB Mettauer big arm, was Longo's pick at Wisc
(7/11) Over Bet Watch. Def down, Pass Off up
(6/6) Not a fan of HC Phil Long hire at all.
(6/6) Could be a bottom Def in CFB, DBs are JUCOs
(5/23) SHSU was 6-0 in 1 score games LY
(3/26) QB Watson JAG w/ mobility. No depth exp
Sam Houston Injury Report
UNLV on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
UNLV OffSHSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #28 #128
SuccessSuc #84 #70
ExplosiveExp #23 #3
PPAPPA #56 #31
PowerPwr #74 #137
SP+SP+ #25 #135
Pts POPPO #33 #75
HavocHav #41 #58
UNLV Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
UNLV OffSHSU Def
Run GameRun #1 #114
Run SuccessRSuc #83 #105
Run ExplRExp #9 #9
PPAExp #23 #92
Run BlockR Blk #85 -
OL YdsOLY #16 #119
Stuff RateStuff #40 #129
TackleTak -  #122
UNLV Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
UNLV OffSHSU Def
Pass GamePass #15 #124
Pass SuccessPSuc #90 #27
Pass ExplPExl #32 #9
PPAExp #94 #6
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #37 #125
F7 HavocF7 #58 #56
DB HavocDB #25 #58
Sam Houston on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatSHSU OffUNLV Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #135 #104
SuccessSuc #107 #14
ExplosiveExp #127 #93
PPAPPA #115 #34
PowerPwr #130 #117
SP+SP+ #129 #89
Pts POPPO #129 #97
HavocHav #53 #27
Sam Houston Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
SHSU OffUNLV Def
Run GameRun #122 #116
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #39
Run ExplRExp #98 #108
PPAExp #83 #63
Run BlockR Blk #125 -
OL YdsOLY #44 #19
Stuff RateStuff #34 #18
TackleTak -  #75
Sam Houston Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCatSHSU OffUNLV Def
Pass GamePass #122 #83
Pass SuccessPSuc #105 #14
Pass ExplPExl #106 #47
PPAExp #114 #25
Pass Block/RushP Blk #83 #26
F7 HavocF7 #69 #55
DB HavocDB #47 #9
Program Comparison
SHSU 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

UNLV 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in BBVA Compass Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 1
UNLV 13.5 (58.5)
UNLV won at Sam Houston this year (38-21)

Previous Matchups
UNLV beat Sam Houston last year (38-21)

  
UNLV's OC Corey Dennis (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)27541766%34592398.3
Alex Orji (Tr)33100%370012.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jai'Den Thomas1481034127.070
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)127650105.137
Keyvone Lee (Tr)10044064.422
Jaylon Glover (Tr)6438416.043
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaden Bradley58931416.156
Troy Omeire (Tr)32521516.368
Daejon Reynolds (Tr)33471514.386
JoJo Earle (Tr)22258011.737

View UNLV's Full Roster

UNLV's DC Zach Anrett (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marsel McDuffie1126223
Jake Pope (Tr)803213
Jaheem Joseph (Tr)738403
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)632025
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)488663
Jaheem Joseph (Tr)738403
Aamaris Brown (Tr)435407
Lucas Conti224310
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Aamaris Brown (Tr)435407
Quandarius Keyes141006
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)632025

SHSU's OC Zack Patterson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hunter Watson10418257%1108546.1
Landyn Locke7114150%765445.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Landan Brown8448755.863
Elijah Green (Tr)5839126.780
Alton McCaskill (Tr)8837114.252
Hunter Watson7427623.755
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Reed30460515.354
Grady O'Neill (Tr)38392110.329
Landan Brown3723706.424
Tim Burns Jr.12228119.059

View Sam Houston's Full Roster

SHSU's DC Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Antavious Fish (Tr)786110
CJ Brown (Tr)642004
Tyler Bailey451102
Cecil Powell (Tr)424014
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christopher Eaton Jr. (Tr)269550
Chauncey Chidi314300
Dean Ford326220
Dylan Frazier414222
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Emon Allen404005
Cecil Powell (Tr)424014
AJ Edwards413114