The long wait is over. College football is finally here.
A new era for Memphis football begins in the desert.
The Tigers will travel to Las Vegas to face UNLV on Saturday, in a Week 0 matchup on FOX, marking the first game of the Charles Huff era at Memphis.
Huff takes over one of the most consistent Group of Six programs in the country after the Tigers went 8-5 last season. Memphis posted a 50-25 record over the past six seasons under Ryan Silverfield, who left for the Arkansas head coaching job. Huff comes to Memphis after engineering an unbelievable one-year turnaround at Southern Miss, taking a team that went 1-11 in 2024 to a 7-5 record and bowl eligibility in 2025.
Now, Huff has completely reshaped the Tigers’ roster. Memphis brought in 53 transfers, including 17 players who followed Huff from Southern Miss, giving the Tigers the second-ranked transfer class in the American Conference. One of the biggest questions entering Week 0 is at quarterback, where former highly touted recruits Air Noland and Marcus Stokes are battling for the starting job. Huff has yet to name a starter for Week 0.
Meanwhile, UNLV enters the season with much more continuity at the top. Dan Mullen returns for his second season after leading the Rebels to a 10-4 record and an appearance in the Mountain West Championship Game in 2025.
The Rebels were one of the nation’s better rushing teams last season, averaging 195.5 yards per game on the ground, and leading rusher Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas returns. UNLV also added former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, who will start for the Rebels on Saturday night, while bolstering its roster through the transfer portal with 33 former Power Four players.
With two talented rosters and plenty of new faces, this Week 0 matchup could carry major College Football Playoff implications, as both teams could be vying for the Group of Six spot in the field.
Let’s take a look at the odds for Memphis vs. UNLV at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Aug. 29.
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Memphis @ UNLV Odds
Moneyline
- UNLV: -192 (bet $10 to win $15.21 total)
- Memphis: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Spread
- UNLV -4.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
- Memphis +4.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Over/Under
- Over 56.5: -108 (bet $10 to win $19.26 total)
- Under 56.5: -112 (bet $10 to win $18.93 total)
Memphis @ UNLV Prediction, Pick
From FOX Sports Research
- There should be plenty of offense in the Week 0 nightcap on FOX. With Thomas returning for a UNLV rushing attack that ranked 15th in the country in 2025 with 2,737 yards, and Colorado transfer Dallan Hayden expected to be the starting running back for Memphis, these two teams should feature two of the most efficient G6 ground attacks this season. The biggest reason to like the Over, however, is UNLV’s defense. The Rebels allowed 419.1 yards per game last season and ranked 117th nationally in total defense. They were especially vulnerable to explosive plays, allowing 52 scrimmage plays of at least 25 yards, the second-most in the country, while also finishing tied for fourth in plays allowed of 40+ yards. Memphis’ defense has also been almost completely rebuilt through the transfer portal, creating plenty of uncertainty entering Week 0 after several starters followed Silverfield to Arkansas. With two talented offenses and major question marks on both defenses, expect explosive plays and plenty of points in Las Vegas.
The Pick: Over 56.5 Total Points
How to Watch Memphis vs. UNLV
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One, FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App
- Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
