Oddsmakers move UNLV from favorite to TD underdog at Idaho
UNLV’s stunning season-opening loss to FCS member Howard as a 45-point favorite caused Las Vegas oddsmakers to adjust the Rebels’ Week 2 line by more than a touchdown.
Before UNLV’s 43-40 loss, the Golden Nugget listed the Rebels as 1½-point favorites at Idaho. But after Saturday night’s debacle at Sam Boyd Stadium, bookmakers Monday made the Vandals favorites by as many as 9½ points.
The line quickly dipped to 6½ at most spots, which is still significantly higher than it would’ve been had the Rebels beaten Howard convincingly.
“If UNLV had won that game by 40, the line would’ve been like Idaho by 2½,” Westgate sports book manager Ed Salmons said. “The loss was probably worth four points. I kind of thought (Idaho minus) 7 was too many.”
Idaho opened with a 28-6 home victory over Sacramento State. Last season, the Rebels lost 33-30 to the Vandals in overtime at home as 14-point favorites.
Salmons said action on UNLV football and basketball has been sparse in recent years.
“A game like that, for the most part, will just be a game bet by the professionals,” he said. “UNLV has been like nothing in this city for betting. Even the basketball team has been bad so people have been betting against it.”
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.
