UNLV Rebels Dominate San Diego State Aztecs in Week 12 College Football Matchup

The UNLV Rebels hosted the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a pivotal Mountain West Conference matchup. The Rebels, led by head coach Barry Odom, are on the cusp of achieving back-to-back bowl games for the first time in program history.

UNLV, with a strong 7-2 overall record and 3-1 in the conference, faced off against a San Diego State team that is 3-6 overall and 2-2 in the conference. The Aztecs need to win their next three games to achieve bowl eligibility in head coach Sean Lewis’ first season.

The game, broadcast on CBS Sports Network, saw UNLV favored by a significant margin, with odds listed at -20.5 points and an over/under of 54.5 points. The Rebels’ dynamic offense, led by quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams and standout wide receiver Ricky White, was expected to pose significant challenges for the Aztecs’ defense. Williams has completed 64% of his passes with a 13:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while White has 58 receptions for 799 yards and 10 touchdowns[2].

UNLV’s offense has been particularly potent in the running game, ranking sixth in the FBS with 248.7 rushing yards per game. This was expected to exploit San Diego State’s vulnerable run defense, which has allowed 519 rush yards over the last two weeks[2][3]). The Rebels also boast a strong defensive line, having registered 28 sacks and 62 tackles for loss this season, which was anticipated to disrupt the Aztecs’ offense significantly.

The Rebels’ special teams and discipline also played a crucial role, with UNLV leading the nation in blocked punts and maintaining a strong turnover margin of +12. In contrast, San Diego State has struggled with penalties, committing the fourth most in the nation[5]).

Predictions favored UNLV to win comfortably, with College Football Network predicting a 37-13 victory for the Rebels. This outcome aligns with the Rebels’ statistical advantages and their recent form, which includes a close win over Hawaii just a week prior[2][5]).