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By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
College soccer is lastly right here. The 5 video games on faucet Saturday present simply sufficient of an appetizer to get us set for the total slate subsequent week.
Of these 5, three function groups from the Mountain West, with UNLV internet hosting Idaho State, Fresno State visiting Kansas, and Hawai’i internet hosting fellow West Coast workforce Stanford.
Here’s a fast preview of the MW contests with my picks straight up, in opposition to the unfold, and over/beneath level totals.
Idaho State Bengals at UNLV Rebels
Saturday, August 23
1:00 PM PT, MW Community
Line: UNLV -25
Over/Below Level Whole: 65.5
Barry Odom took the Rebels to new heights in his two seasons in Las Vegas. Now the destiny of UNLV is in Dan Mullen’s more-than-capable fingers.
We’ll get an early have a look at the new-look Rebels on this opening-week matchup with Idaho State. Given the state of this system and the route Mullen desires to take it, this recreation shouldn’t fear UNLV a lot in any respect.
The competition figures to be a breeze for UNLV, giving the incoming transfers an opportunity to gel forward of the meat of the schedule.
The Rebels are loaded with former Energy 4 transfers, amongst them, the 2 gamers battling for the QB1 job, Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea.
That battle will possible proceed via the opener, with the 2 anticipated to separate reps in opposition to the Bengals. UNLV ought to be capable of run throughout ISU, and the Insurgent protection shouldn’t be troubled a lot.
The fascinating facet of that QB battle is not only who finally wins the job, however how every of them fares in opposition to a lesser opponent.
Orji is a dynamic runner, however—to place it flippantly—he struggled as a passer at Michigan. I’m wanting to see how he connects along with his receivers on this one.
We all know he can break containment and make performs along with his legs, however in opposition to the Bengals, I’d wish to see how he strikes the offense along with his arm, directing it from the pocket.
Colandrea is a greater thrower but additionally has a historical past of throwing it to the improper workforce, with 20 interceptions in 19 begins with Virginia.
It is going to be fascinating to see if Colandrea exhibits higher consistency and decision-making on this first contest.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: UNLV
Factors Whole: Below
Outright winner: UNLV
Fresno State Bulldogs at Kansas Jayhawks
Saturday, August 23
3:30 PM PT, FOX
Line: Kansas -12.5
Over/Below Level Whole: 50.5
For the fourth time since 2020, the Bulldogs might be opening the season with a brand new head coach on the helm.
The Matt Entz period will start for Fresno State with a visit to Lawrence because the Jayhawks open a brand new period of their very own.
Kansas kicks off the season in its reimagined David Sales space Kansas Memorial Stadium, the primary main rebuild to the venue because it opened in 1921.
The Bulldogs will look to run first, not solely on this one, but additionally all through the season.
If they’ll set up issues on the bottom, they may very well be in fine condition in opposition to a Jayhawk squad that allowed 153.5 dashing yards per recreation final season.
In 5 wins final season, the Kansas held foes to 91 yards dashing whereas surrendering 198.1 on the bottom of their seven losses.
If Fresno State can get Bryson Donelson going early and infrequently, the underdog Bulldogs might spoil the stadium re-opening.
Ought to the bottom recreation wrestle, the passing assault might be in succesful fingers with the skilled quarterback EJ Warner beneath heart. However the higher the run recreation performs, the extra possible it’s that passing assault will click on.
Defensively, the Bulldogs may have their fingers full with the Kansas offense, which options Jalon Daniels at quarterback and Daniel Hishaw working the ball.
Daniels is a menace along with his legs in addition to his arm. Getting the Jayhawks off the sector might be key for the Bulldogs. Final season, KU was second within the nation, changing on 51% of its third downs.
It is a robust opener for Entz, not solely due to the caliber of the opponent, but additionally because of the pomp and circumstance that’s positive to accompany the brand new digs.
In entrance of a nationwide TV viewers, because the marquee East Coast prime time recreation, I feel the Bulldogs will preserve issues tight many of the recreation. However Kansas finally pulls away for the quilt late.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: Kansas
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: Kansas
Stanford Cardinal at Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
Saturday, August 23
4:30 PM PT CBS
Line: Hawai’i -2.5
Over/Below Level Whole: 50.5
Stanford and Hawai’i’ll garner a nationwide viewers in prime time as each groups look to open issues up on a optimistic word.
For the Cardinal, it marks the start of the Andrew Luck period.
The previous star Cardinal quarterback is working his alma mater’s soccer program because the Normal Supervisor, whereas his outdated Colts coach Frank Reich serves as interim head coach.
For the Rainbow Warriors, this season guarantees an enormous soar in expertise as Timmy Chang sends out what seems to be his greatest squad to this point. And with that, the top man’s likelihood to choose up his first win over a P4 opponent.
There may be a whole lot of optimism and pleasure at UH forward of the 2025 season, and that stems from the late-season play of QB Micah Alejado.
The proficient redshirt freshman has a number of playmaking WRs to work with because the offense appears to take Chang’s Run-and-Shoot offense to the subsequent degree.
The Rainbow Warrior offense has an opportunity to face out this season, and the Cardinal struggled to maintain opponents off the board final season.
For Stanford, the rebuild must be simpler behind sixth-year senior Ben Gulbranson. However for Stanford this season is a complete rebuild. The 17 transfers signify a program report.
The Cardinal might want to create performs on offense to maintain up with the Hawai’i assault. Whereas the Cardinal allowed too many factors final season, they did do an excellent job of making takeaways.
If Stanford can proceed that pattern and pressure some interceptions, they might go away the Islands with the W.
Alejado didn’t throw a decide within the two video games he performed to finish final season, and I don’t see that changing into an enormous downside for him on this one.
The Warriors shield their dwelling turf in an thrilling cap to the five-game slate in Week 0.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: Hawai’i
Factors Whole: Below
Outright winner: Hawai’i
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and data, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
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