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Matchup preview

Memphis vs UNLV

Memphis visit UNLV in Week 1. The model favors Memphis by 4.6. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
61%
39%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · August 26 · refreshed weekly

SP+ separates these teams by 3.3 points of rating, UNLV at 3.6 (rank 55) against Memphis at 0.3 (rank 67), and turns that into a 5.7-point projected margin with UNLV at 64%. The market is more cautious: the consensus line across two books sets UNLV -4.2 with a 56.5 total, implying 60% for the home side. The ProphetX exchange sits closest to the model, offering UNLV -184 (65%) against Memphis +168 (37%). The direction is unanimous; the disagreement is roughly a point and a half of spread and four points of win probability.

The unit ranks explain the edge. UNLV brings the better offense at #29 to Memphis at #49, while both defenses grade poorly, UNLV #84 and Memphis #92, which fits the 56.5 total. Memphis at #92 is the weakest single unit on the field, and that gap is where UNLV's projected margin comes from rather than any defensive stop.

Season simulations reinforce the tilt: across 10,000 runs UNLV projects to 8.3 wins and a 13.9% Playoff rate, Memphis to 7.4 wins at 6.9%, and neither is a title factor at 0.1% and 0%. The value question is narrow, since a trader who trusts SP+ reads the exchange price of 65% as fair while the consensus 60% looks light on the favorite.

SP+, the consensus line, and the ProphetX exchange all lean UNLV, with only the margin of conviction in dispute.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
UNLV -4.5
Total (O/U)
55.5
Favorite
UNLV
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)
UNLV
61%

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Memphis99%+64 ptsvsUNLV1%-64 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Memphis favoredUNLV favoredAug 12Aug 16Aug 20Aug 24Aug 28Aug 31

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Memphis's win price; UNLV's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Memphis is favored, below it UNLV is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#62SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#84
#57FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#69
1540EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1622
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.-
MemphisUNLVsolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
More Week 1 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Memphis vs UNLV game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Memphis vs UNLV market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Memphis and UNLV play?

Week 1 of 2026, on Aug 30, 2026 at UNLV.

Who is favored?

The model projects Memphis by 4.6 (61% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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