UNLV Rebels (10-3 SU, 7-6 ATS) vs. Ohio Bobcats (8-4 SU, 5-6-1 ATS)
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 9PM EST
Where: Ford Center at the Star, Frisco, Texas
TV: ESPN
Betting Odds
Point Spread: UNLV -4.5/OHIO +4.5 (Bovada)
Money Line: UNLV -185, OHIO +160
Over/Under Total: 62.5
The UNLV Rebels battle the Ohio Bobcats in the Frisco Bowl on December 23. Both teams are about equally far from this locale, with neither having played too close to this stadium this season. The Rebels failed in their attempt to win the Mountain West Conference, losing to Boise, 42-17, on November 29. Ohio came close but missed the title game. Their last game was a 31-26 win over Buffalo on November 28, their 8th win of the season. Who should we get behind on the 23rd?
Breaking It Down
Without having the appropriate context and just going off what we’ve seen to end the season, it’s not unfair to say Ohio finished the season in better form. Their win over Buffalo to close the regular season was their fifth in six games, allowing them to bounce back from an uneven 3-3 start and salvage a good season. Then again, UNLV was in some rougher spots, having to face Boise on its field to end the season. They had won four in a row leading up to that point, which followed a mini losing streak that threatened to upend their season after a great 6-0 start. But even if they were unable to exorcise the Boise State demon, they had a good year under the man who has kept this team on the upward ascent in Dan Mullen.
A strange situation with Ohio and its leadership has thrown their team for a bit of a loop, leading into this matchup. Head coach Brian Smith, who was brought in late last season after Tim Albin left on the heels of three straight 10-win seasons, was recently placed on indefinite leave. It didn’t get much notice with all the other explosive coaching news in college football last week. Defensive coordinator John Hauser will fill in on an interim basis. On one hand, Ohio had to deal with this last season and still won its bowl game. In fact, they’ve won their last 6 bowl games, so no one can question how they rise to the occasion this time of year. Still, an out-of-the-blue firing like this can’t be considered a positive development, and one wonders how this will affect the squad.
A Look at the Matchups
The total of 62.5 is revealing as to what is expected, with this forecasted as an offensive affair. UNLV’s offense runs through QB Anthony Collandrea, a great addition to this team from Virginia and a big part of how they got to ten wins. He has 3275 yards through the air and another 621 on the ground with 9 TDs. He works with a lot of help on the ground with Jai’Den Thomas and others chipping in. This would appear to be a part of their approach; they might have to double up on against Ohio, who has one of the iffier run-defenses of any opponent the Rebels have recently seen. The flip side to that coin is that UNLV’s vital aerial attack led by WR Jaden Bradley could struggle against an Ohio pass-defense that has generally been stingy all season. The UNLV line, particularly at the tackle position, has been a bit suspect in repelling the opposing pass-rush. Ohio’s defense has taken some personnel setbacks, but it could still generate a pass rush. Along with that good secondary, they’re hoping it’s enough to quell a dangerous UNLV attack.
Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro leads an offense that isn’t totally dissimilar from that of their opponent. It’s an offense that offers some balance, while being a little heavier in the run area, led by Sieh Bangura and his 1243 yards, buoyed by Navarro’s 843 yards and 8 scores. Aerially, though, they’re a little muted from what we see from UNLV. Navarro hasn’t always been great this season, and his mistake-prone tendencies could play into the hands of what has been an opportunistic UNLV defense this season. But just as UNLV looks poised to run the ball in this spot, one would think this is where Bangura and Navarro can do some damage. And the aerial damage is something that can resonate in this matchup, too, as long as Navarro minimizes mistakes.
What to Expect
I think Ohio should be able to run the ball here against an UNLV run-defense that hasn’t always been up to snuff against the better running backs they’ve seen. And while you’d think UNLV could key in on Ohio WR Chase Hendricks and make them use the rest of an uninspiring group, the Rebels’ pass-defense in some spots also makes you wonder how that will go. It should be a high-scoring and competitive game where it’s not entirely easy to pick a winner.
Take the Points
Losing your coach before a bowl game amid strange conditions could put a strain on Ohio, but they will also have had two weeks to deal with it, and six straight bowl wins is maybe more than mere happenstance. I see this as a high-scoring game where 4.5 points might not end up coming into play. But in a game that has sort of a toss-up feel to it, one is almost inclined to take the 4.5 points. I see Ohio making a lot of big plays on the ground, while getting enough stops against what can be an explosive UNLV offense to be in this one with a shot to win in the end. I’m taking the Bobcats and the points.
Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread:
I’m betting on the Ohio Bobcats plus 4.5 points.
