Free Football Picks – UNLV vs West Virginia

Looking for some free football picks for the weekend? Well you’ve come to the right place, as the West Virginia Mountaineers get set to host the UNLV Rebels Saturday afternoon. Who should you wager on?

UNLV Rebels (1-4 SU, 3-2 ATS) at West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS)

Saturday, October 9: 3:30 p.m. ESPN3.com

NCAA Football Betting Odds:

UNLV: +27 ½
West Virginia: -27 ½

West Virginia comes into this one off a bye week. And for all the talk about their superstars on offense, it’s the defense which is getting the job done.

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The Mountaineers rank in the top 20 in college football in total defense (eighth), scoring defense (13th), run defense (10th) and passing defense (20th), proving to be one of the most balanced units in the country. That was certainly on display two weeks ago in Baton Rouge, where West Virginia fell to the LSU Tigers. In the game, the Mountaineers held LSU to just 230 yards of total offense, but couldn’t get things done on special teams, where a Patrick Petersen punt return proved to be the difference in 20-14 loss.

Of course it didn’t help that in their game at LSU, West Virginia only put up 177 yards of total offense, a number that will absolutely, positively need to improve if they’re going to be anyone’s free football picks this weekend. It is especially important for running back Noel Devine to have a big game Saturday. He was held to a season low 37 yards, after rushing for over 100 yards in each of his first three games. Devine is still battling a lingering toe injury, and no one is quite sure what to expect from him this weekend.

On the opposite sideline of West Virginia are the UNLV Rebels. Yes they enter this game with just a 1-4 record, but have played a handful of really good teams awfully tough this season.

Last weekend was no exception, when the Rebels hosted their cross-state rivals, the Nevada Wolfpack. In that game, the heavily favored Wolfpack played well, but the Rebels hung tight, losing 44-26. While that score might not look good on paper, it actually is, considering that Nevada came into the game averaging over 44 points a contest, and still ranks fourth in the country in scoring offense. They’ve already gone over 50 points twice this year.

And it’s because of their big-game experience that the UNLV Rebels need to be one of your free football picks this weekend.

While we’re not saying they’re going to win straight up, this team is battle tested and tough, and won’t be overwhelmed by anything West Virginia throws at them Saturday. On offense the Rebels are coming along nicely, as quarterback Omar Clayton has thrown four touchdowns in his last two games, after throwing just one in his first three.

In the end, West Virginia will win this game, because of their defense. But playing young Geno Smith at quarterback, and with Devine still ailing at running back, the College Football betting line wager to make is on UNLV. They’re not flashy, but they are tough, and will do more than enough to keep this one close.

The free football picks are in, take the Rebels getting close to four touchdowns.

Free Football Picks: UNLV +27 ½