This is a 10* BLOWOUT on UNLV moneyline.

UNLV finished 10-3 and narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff, while Cal finished 6-6.

There's been plenty of change for both teams already following the regular season, but when you unpack it all, I really like UNLV on the moneyline in this one.

Cal ended the regular season by going 2-4 against the spread for bettors.

UNLV though has played well in this spot for bettors by going 10-3 against the spread in its last 13 as an underdog.

Cal finished .500 in its ACC debut, but it was more of the same in year 8 of the Justin Wilcox era.

UNLV just posted its two most successful seasons in school history, and because of that its head coach Barry Odom has now already moved on to take on the Purdue head coaching job.

And so, it's an interesting matchup between two programs dealing with transition.

But, UNLV enters this Bowl game off a great year. It just narrowly missed out on the CFP and the team retains its core group, including QB Hajj-Malik Williams who I think will really test this Cal defense with his dual threat capabilities.

Cal has a tough defense that likes to wear teams down, but the Bears enter without their starting QB Fernando Mendoza, who hits the transfer portal.

And the Bears' offense line has been suspect all year already, ranking among the worst in sacks allowed (which spells disaster facing UNLV's aggressive defense which is in the top 20 nationally for sacks.)

The Rebels face coaching uncertainties, but their consistency here at the quarterback position, combined with better skill players on both sides of the ball will prove to be the difference-maker in my opinion.

Lay the price with UNLV on the moneyline option.

Good luck, NP