While Week 0 games outside of the Aer Lingus Classic are often treated as write-offs in the college football world, one game on the schedule could draw the eyes of some interested parties — particularly the so-called "Group of Six" conferences.
UNLV and Memphis, both of which received votes in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, will square off in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in a game that could set the tone for the College Football Playoff race among non-power teams.
Memphis will usher in a new era with former coach Ryan Silverfield landing in Fayetteville to coach Arkansas after last season; Charles Huff will be on the sidelines for the Tigers after just one
season with Southern Miss, where he went 7-5 and won the New Orleans Bowl with the Golden Eagles. Dan Mullen will begin his second season in Vegas after a successful 10-4 campaign that saw the Rebels lose in the Frisco Bowl.
Both teams are expected to be playoff contenders this season, and this game would be a big notch on their respective resumes: Journeyman quarterback Jackson Arnold will be under center for the Rebels, while Marcus Stokes beat out Air Noland for the first snaps of Memphis' season.
Though neither team is technically the favorite to make the playoffs among non-power teams this season — that distinction goes to Boise State in the new Pac-12 — it is still the type of game that could have big late-season ripples depending on how both sides fare over the course of the year.
CFP odds among non-power teams
Boise State leads non-power teams in preseason playoffs odds, according to BetMGM, sitting at +550. After the Broncos, at +1000, is UNLV. The Rebels are tied with James Madison, which will also have a new coach in Billy Napier after Bob Chesney departed for UCLA, and Texas-San Antonio.
Next up is South Florida and Army, followed by Memphis and Navy (both listed at +1450).
- 1. Boise State (+550)
- T-2. UNLV (+1000)
- T-2. JMU (+1000)
- T-2. UTSA (+1000)
- 5. South Florida (+1100)
- 6. Army (+1350)
- T-7. Memphis (+1450)
- T-7. Navy (+1450)
- 9. North Dakota State (+1500)
- 10. New Mexico (+1600)
Memphis vs UNLV odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Aug. 20.
- Odds: UNLV (-6.5)
- Over/under: 56.5 points
- Moneyline: UNLV (-235) | Memphis (+190)
Memphis vs UNLV prediction
In a lot of ways, this game is a total blank slate. Arnold is making his debut for Mullen and the Rebels while transfers Stokes gets the start for the Tigers to open Huff's career in Memphis.
The question for Memphis isn't whether the Tigers can slow down Jackson Arnold, but rather what impact running back Jai'Den Thomas will have. Thomas rushed for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns on 7 yards per carry in 2025.
Memphis will look to establish an identity in this game, with a bevy of transfers on the offensive side of the ball. Southern Miss was 10th in tempo in tempo last year, and the Tigers' offseason acquisitions reflect as much. North Carolina State transfer receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. is in for his fifth season, and receiver Tychaun Chapman will be on his fourth team in four years, having followed Huff from Southern Miss to Memphis.
Ultimately, UNLV outlasts Memphis and is able to slow the game down enough behind Thomas to win in a fairly low-scoring game to start Mullen's second season the right way.
Prediction: UNLV 20, Memphis 14
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Memphis-UNLV a precursor to Group of Six CFP race? Previewing Week 0 game
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