Frisco Bowl: Limiting Rush Attack Key for UNLV vs. Ohio

There are storylines, and then there is the Frisco Bowl.

If not for the University of Michigan saying “Hold my beer,” this Bobcat coaching situation could be one of the most intriguing in the nation.

On December 1st, Brian Smith was placed on leave for an “undetermined period of time.”

Then, on December 17th, he was fired for “serious professional misconduct,” after an administrative review.

The school later stated they fired Smith for having an extramarital affair with an undergraduate student and violating the school’s no alcohol policy by drinking bourbon with his assistant after games.

So, there is that little bit of the off-field drama, but what is going to happen on the field?

I preview the matchup between UNLV and Ohio here, and give my picks straight-up, against the spread, and over/under.

UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats

Tuesday, December 23
6:00 PM PT, ESPN
Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX
Wes Durham, Steve Addazzio, and Dana Boyle

Line: UNLV –4.5
Points Total: 62.5

UNLV has struggled in some games this season against quality opponents, especially when the opponent has a capable rushing attack.

The Bobcats certainly have a capable rushing attack, having run for 228.75 yards per game this season, which ranks 12th nationally.

In their eight wins, Ohio has averaged 261.4 yards per game, while dropping to an average of 163.5 yards in the four games they lost.

Stopping the run has been a bug-a-boo for the Rebels this season, and it has bit them heavily in their three losses, in which they allowed 198.7 yards on the ground.

On offense, UNLV will need to stay balanced, and the Rebels have done a good job of that all season.

Ohio has been stingy on defense, limiting opponents to just 358 yards of offense.

QB Parker Navarro hands off to RB Sieh Bangura | Gregory Payan/AP

In most games this season, the Bobcats have done a good job of taking something away from the opponent and making them one-dimensional.

In the four games they lost this season, they failed to take something away. The lone exception was against Western Michigan, when the Broncos only threw for 126 but pounded out 200+ yards on the ground.

I don’t think Ohio will be able to stop the Rebels and make them one-dimensional. I also don’t think the Rebels will be able to slow down the ground attack of the Bobcats.

If that ends up being the case, it favors UNLV.  If Ohio can control the pace, they will have the edge.

This one has a lot of yards and a lot of points. Give me the Rebels in a 41-36 shootout.

Outright winner: UNLV
Against the Spread: UNLV 
Total: Over